{"id":61,"date":"2026-10-22T04:50:18","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T04:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/warmbroadglow\/?p=61"},"modified":"2026-10-22T04:59:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T04:59:22","slug":"innovation-roadmap-read-with-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/warmbroadglow\/2026\/10\/22\/innovation-roadmap-read-with-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Roadmap: Read with Me?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Read with Me?<\/i><\/b> connects adolescents and trusted adults through middle-grade and young adult literature.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Introduction<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My 11-year-old son is in middle school, and he still asks me, \u201cMom, will you come read with me?\u201d He also recommends books he thinks I will enjoy, especially graphic novels with social justice themes. We can sit and connect, even if we are reading different books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read with Me?<\/i><\/b> is a participatory middle grade \/ YA reading service connecting middle school students with trusted adults in their lives through book recommendations. In partnership with local middle schools, students would recommend middle grade and YA novels through written reviews, audio recordings, or short videos created in a school library or language arts class. The original recordings would initially be shared with classmates, teachers, school librarians, parents and participating public library staff during a school hosted event or town hall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In tandem, the library would curate an adult-facing YA display featuring student recommendations, including direct quotes, and QR codes linking to the library catalog. Extra copies of recommended books would be available for circulation at select locations. Students could volunteer to help design these installations, in partnership with the library staff. The goal is to create opportunities for intergenerational connection, understanding, and conversation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mission & Institutional Context<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

San Francisco Public Library\u2019s mission is to \u201cconnect our diverse communities to learning, opportunities and each other.\u201d Its strategic priorities include serving as a Literacy Champion, Cultural Amplifier, Community Catalyzer, Thoughtful Navigator, and Resource Provider (<\/span>San Francisco Public Library<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>Read with Me?<\/i><\/b> supports these priorities by connecting literacy, youth voice, family engagement, and participatory library service.<\/span><\/p>\n

SFPL already recognizes the importance of teen-centered spaces and services. <\/span>The Mix at SFPL <\/span><\/i>is a space for youth ages 12\u201318 that supports creativity, digital media production, music, gaming, and social connection. That space could support the media-creation portion of the project while keeping the recordings within a supervised, youth-centered environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

The innovation responds to two needs. First, middle school students often have strong opinions about books but limited opportunities to influence library services. Second, adults may enjoy YA literature but feel uncertain about entering teen spaces or knowing where to begin. A partnership with local middle schools would allow students, school librarians, teachers, public librarians, and families to shape the program together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Brief Statement (Students\/Adults)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Convince middle school students and the trusted adults in their lives that by sharing and exchanging middle grade \/ YA book recommendations through <\/span>Read with Me?<\/i><\/b>, they will discover new ways to understand and connect with one another, which will strengthen reading for pleasure and intergenerational relationships, because the library connects diverse communities to learning and to one another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Action Brief Statement (School and Public Librarians)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Convince public and school library staff that by collaborating with middle-school students to design and pilot <\/span>Read with Me?<\/i><\/b>, they will gain a more meaningful understanding of young people\u2019s reading lives and create a safer, more responsive intergenerational service, because sustainable library innovation depends on shared ownership, staff readiness, and amplifying community knowledge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where did you find inspiration?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n