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License to Drive
How library resources can help your teen’s dream of car ownership become a reality.
In today’s economy, it’s more likely that your teen will hassle you to borrow the car keys rather than taking their own set of wheels out for a spin. You can easily turn this scenario into a teaching moment. While she works toward that all-important American rite of passage – acquiring a vehicle of her own – send her to the library to brush up on financial literacy and information literacy, two skills that are vital part of responsible auto ownership.
Research Responsibly
Plain and simple – vetted resources matter. Yes, the Internet is ripe with accurate, useful information about car buying in general. That said, there is still a strong case to be made for tapping into the resources available at the library.
“Librarians teach information discernment,” says Samantha Sednek, Teen Services Librarian at Haverville Public Library. “We teach kids to judge Web sites for their content, with an emphasis on knowing the source and being skeptical of some of the sludge that floats around online. These are important skills to a 21st century information-literate teen.”
All Hail the Power of the Database
“In 1995, I remember my father bringing me to the library to research my first used car,” recalls Marika Staloch, Teen Technology Project Manager, Saint Paul Public Library. “He showed me where Consumer Reports was (which we still have at the libraries, and the online services are at a fee, so this is helpful for teens.) We then used the newspaper - but teens would most likely go online - to search for the vehicles that were rated the best under $3000 (ah, those were the days!)”
Regardless of your teen’s budget, logging in a bit of targeted research time at the library will be well worth his or her effort. Not only can library staff help them sift through the myriad resources related to their area of interest, they can also offer a wealth of auto-related databases that aggregate the most popular and useful car-buying reference materials available.
“Consumer Reports Used Car Guide is an excellent place to start,” says Tom Spicer, Teen Librarian, Arlington Heights Memorial Library. “Also, if a used car has broken parts, we have two databases for further research into those problems and how critical they might be to a car’s performance. Those databases are: Alldata Pro and Chilton Library.”
Craig Bertuglia, Teen Librarian, Houston Public Library, adds: “I usually steer them first to the EBSCO Masterfile Premier database available through our Web site. Masterfile has access to PDFs of Consumer Reports including the buying guide issues. I then have them look at Kelley Blue Book Online (www.kbb.com) for pricing info for both new and used cars. In addition, I’ll show them the Carmax website and the classifieds at both the Houston Chronicle Web site (www.chron.com) and Yahoo.”
“I've talked young shoppers (and their parents) through the ins and outs of Craigslist and Kelley Blue Book while they use the library’s computers,” says Sednek. “Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) is a particular fascinating place to compare makes and prices of used cars in the area. It has a lot of different search limitors (make, model, gas mileage, area) and often has large selections of pre-owned vehicles.”
The More You Know…
Of course, the challenge doesn’t end once car ownership begins. Help your teen take an informed, proactive role in responsible auto maintenance by encouraging them to head to the library for a little auto care 101.
“Hayden Heights has a unique collection of automobile-related resources, particularly for those wanting to fix up a car,” says Andrea McKennan, Community and Digital Services Department, St. Paul Public Library.
“We are beginning a series of DIY projects at our library in March,” says Spicer. “Part of the reason for us offering these programs (besides the fact that they will be fun) is that when you learn a skill or how to do anything, really, you are empowered. The library has the staff and the information to help empower teens on the subject of buying a used car. Not only will they learn about used cars in the short term, but they will also gain the skill and familiarity with databases and navigating digital resources that will improve skills and provide a foundation in transliteracy for the future.”
“I'd tell any teen – male or female – the more you know about your car, the more independence you will have,” says Sednek. “No one wants to break down. No one wants to sit around and wait for the tow truck. Learn the basics and always have a back-up plan.”
Resources List
Car Buying and Ownership by John Henderson
Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide by Consumer Reports
How Much Car Can I Afford? Don’t Let the Cost of Driving One Own You by Gregory Karp
In the Driver’s Seat: Tips for Buying a Used Vehicle by Service Alberta: Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council
The Red Flag Guide for Buying a Used Car by IntellChoice, Inc.
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