Purpose: Most programs and services offered in libraries are designed for children and adults, and the needs of adolescent users are usually overlooked. The aim of the present study is to examine the programs and services provided for adolescents in public libraries, in order to determine how public libraries around the world perform in serving this group.
Method: This research was conducted using a systematic review method based on Kitchenham & Charters' framework. For this purpose, relevant keywords were searched in reputable internal and external databases and related sources were retrieved. A total of 136 records (126 English sources and 10 Persian sources) were retrieved from both domestic and international searches. After an initial screening (including keywords, titles, and abstract review), 28 sources were ultimately selected and analyzed. according to the limited number of studies available in the field under investigation, no specific time restriction was applied in this research. The inclusion criteria comprised all relevant articles and theses in Persian and English, while the exclusion criteria involved removing books as well as duplicate works published in different languages and formats other than Persian and English.
Findings: To systematize the data, the researchers grouped similar and overlapping items into broader components, resulting in six main categories. The findings showed that the programs and services of public libraries for teenagers include six categories: "Gaming Services in Libraries", "Book Clubs, Study Groups, Book Discussions, and Promotion of Reading to Teenagers", "Storytelling Sessions," "Health Services", "job- and career-related trainings", and "Teenagers' Participation in Library Related Activities".
Conclusion: Various programs and services have been provided in public libraries for teenagers. Such programs transform the library from a place for book storage into a dynamic and lively environment with constructive interactions. These programs, in addition to demonstrating the diversity of services provided to adolescents, reflect the responsiveness of public libraries to their cognitive, emotional, social, professional, and cultural needs. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that public libraries around the world are evolving in line with the real needs of adolescents, with education, recreation, health, skill development, and social participation being addressed in an integrated manner. These findings can provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for policymakers, library managers, and researchers in the field of library and information science, and underscore the importance of designing and developing adolescent programs based on cultural context and the active participation of adolescents themselves. In domestic studies, researchers have examined library programs and services for children and adolescents together within a single category. This may indicate either that no specific activities have been designed for adolescents in Iranian libraries, or that libraries have not properly defined and developed their services for this group. Considering the lack of distinction between child and teenager groups in internal research, this study emphasizes the importance of attention to teenagers and suggests necessary actions for preparing activities and special programs for this age group.