Representations of youth in local media: Implications for library service

This study is the first content analysis of news media representations of young adults specifically connected to the possible implications for library service for this age group. News and feature stories about young adults in two California newspapers surveyed over a consecutive three-month period between January and March 2007 identified common patterns in the collective representations of youth which raise questions about the potential institutional implications of these portrayals for young adult services. Analysis of the survey found young people were depicted routinely as troubled, troubling, and dangerous, a finding consistent with more than a decade of general media research. Examining these representations may help libraries become better and more critically informed about actual youth behaviors and thus initiate institutional debate about more effective service approaches with this age group which constitutes significant portion of library users.

Research highlights► News stories about young adults routinely depict them as troubled and dangerous ► Librarians should be better and more critically informed about actual youth behaviors ► This study could stimulate improving relations between news outlets and other parties ► This work could promote a broader vision of the civic roles youth play in communities