The Library Beat’s September webinar focuses on mysteries and thrillers for young readers and features a case study presentation from Jacksonville Public Library. One of the largest library systems in the state of Florida, Jacksonville operates 20 branches and a main library, with a collection of more than 3 million items. Dylan Franke has been with library for eight years and has worked in a branch, in programming, and, for the last three years, in collection development selecting youth materials. Jacqueline Perry has worked at the Jacksonville Public Library for nine years. She started out as a youth services librarian, and for the last three years she has been in the collection development department selecting materials for teen and middle-grade readers.

Dylan and Jacqueline discuss strategies for staying on top of trends and demands in the mystery and thriller genres, while offering insights into the genres and titles with high appeal for young readers. Young readers, they tell us, “want to be genuinely scared” and these titles remain popular year round. Our presenters also share ideas for creative, scalable programming for fans of puzzle mysteries and gruesome thrillers alike. While some adults may hesitate over the macabre content in mysteries and thrillers, Dylan and Jacqueline report that their teen readers “appreciate the ability to explore and discuss morbid topics in safe spaces.”

Library correspondent Silvia Lin Hanick is chairperson of the library department at LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) in New York.