#teenspaces

Note: This post is in lieu of the assignment’s request of a video. I spoke with the YA librarian about some of the most utilized spaces in the teen area, and then spent some time observing the teens there and also noting parts of the space I liked.

 The Athens Clarke County Library has a relatively small, but often used teen space nestled in the corner between the main “foyer” and the children’s section. This makes it a bit more fluid for teens who might still be drawn to events or books classified as juvenile while also allowing juveniles to mingle within the teen section. 

As you approach the teen section there is a rotating book display on the left which takes up much of the wall and a bank of about 20 computers reserved specifically for teens. beyond this is a YA desk which is always staffed, and open area with a variety of tables and chairs, a YA literature shelf (holding between 4000 and 5000 titles) and a smaller island shelf specializing in graphic novels on one side, and board games on the other. There is a large multi-purpose room slightly separated from this main area that is often used for the teen programs. There were also numerous flyers and posters placed throughout the space advertising upcoming and ongoing programs.

One of the things I like most about the space is that when I went to observe, it was clearly a teen space. The teen’s there seemed to have ownership over the space and felt comfortable moving between the different areas, talking with their friends, interacting with the librarian, and just generally doing what they wanted to do. As I thought about it more, I realized this likely had more to do with how the library and librarian treat this population versus any physical set up that exists. The space it self was pretty average. There is nothing amazing or unique about it, but it is clearly a space which the teens use and enjoy.