Text messaging, MySpace pages and the Jonas brothers – just a typical excerpt from the average teenager’s everyday repertoire. Moby Dick, Beowulf and The Grapes of Wrath … not quite such a common element or even at the forefront of teenage life, but elements some would remember making an appearance during their teenage years. Bridging the gap between teenagers and books is one objective of the El Paso Public Library.
“Teens are traditionally less connected to the library than just about every other age group,” said Jack Galindo, El Paso Public Library Marketing and Customer Relations Coordinator.
A recent poll done by library staff revealed that the most likely regulars for the public library are females between the ages of 18 and 50, giving the indication that parents and children are attracted to the libraries. Wide-spread success of children’s programs at the library is a testament to that. So, what about teenagers?
“Once a child grows past the grade-school level, their visits to the library seem to taper off; therefore, we emphasize teen programs, events and activities to entice those hard to reach kids back to the library,” said Galindo. “It also makes the library seem more ‘cool,’ which is a good thing.”
With the arrival of Library Director Carol Brey-Casiano in late 2000, a deeper and renewed dedication to reaching out to this segment was brought to the table. A new committee comprised of library staffers was convened with the focus of their discussions centering upon teen programming. The initiative that came from those discussions was appropriately named hangout@elpaso.library.
“There was always teen programming at libraries,” said Galindo. “The efforts to provide such programs became more organized and consistent due to the goals set forth by the committee.”
Since the early years of 2000, the El Paso Public Library began to evolve these goals and focus on re-attracting teens to libraries by expanding teen-based programs and activities. The next steps in this evolution would lead to showing teens that a library really is about a sense of place – and dedicated space.
Classically, space designated specifically for teens was either void in older library facilities or integrated into facilities when economically feasible. The library took this into consideration when designing the new Main Library in downtown. Upon researching teen spaces in other cities and getting input from local teens, the Main Library was identified as a prime project in which to undertake a modern approach to teen space.
The result of the collaboration elicited a designated area just for teens where teens can be teens. This is the basic preface and pseudo-manifesto of what is now known as Teen Town.
This specialty area in the Main Library houses a variety of amenities that include books, magazines, computers and resources all tailored for teens. The look of the Teen Town area is described by Galindo as a, “loft or warehouse redesigned with contemporary color schemes and cool furniture such as bean bags, gaming chairs, restaurant style booths and rolling shelves.”
Teens stop in after school and on weekends to do homework, chat up with friends and relax by playing a friendly round of pool, ping pong or even video games like Rock Band or those on the Wii.
According to the Library, Teen Town averages about 70 visitors daily.
But Teen Town isn’t the only place teens can find activities tailored for them. Most library branches in El Paso offer dedicated teen programming during the week, which can include activities that run the gamut from movies and video game nights to book discussions and anime.
The library’s focus has only expanded from there. As an extension of their effective strategies to target teens, the library began Teenfest – an annual event centered upon bringing teens, libraries and literacy together. In its fourth year, Teenfest drew about 3,000 teens and their families.
The goal to continue the creation of more teen space in other library branches where possible is being pursued with the infusion of design elements and furniture that appeal to teens. More program development and outreach is underway. These efforts coupled with many others to entice teens are part of the more continuous and consistent programming effort on behalf of the Library.
“The effort to attract teens is much more organized and there is a renewed emphasis on selecting books, magazines and other resources which appeal to teens,” said Galindo.
Keeping teens engaged is also at the forefront of the El Paso Public Library’s latest effort, the El Paso Youth Council (EPyC) program. The youth council is a group of teens who work together with the assistance and mentorship of library and City of El Paso staff to provide feedback on issues affecting youth.
“One goal of this initiative is to give the youth of El Paso an additional opportunity to develop life and leadership skills by teaching them about the way City and County governments work,” said Galindo. “EPyC members will have the opportunity to meet City and County officials and visit government facilities to learn the inner workings of those departments. They will then provide feedback when possible as to what these departments can do better to serve the youth of El Paso.”
To find out what teen events are available at a library in your area, a calendar of events is available on the library’s website at www.elpasolibrary.org by clicking the ‘Our Libraries’ link or at any area library.
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This content was written and produced by Communications and Public Affairs, City of El Paso. This article was originally published in the October 2008 issue of El Paso Magazine, available on newsstands throughout El Paso.
More Information: Visit the library website for more information
