Providing programming for teenagers is a complex task, much like navigating the teenage years themselves. Youths aged 13-19 are in a unique developmental stage, seeking the freedom of adulthood while not yet ready for the responsibilities that come with it. While many library programs focus on practical skills, they often overlook the essential element of teenagehood: having fun with friends and taking risks. To address these, we must create safe environments where teens can explore, learn, and enjoy each other's company. This is where the increasingly popular idea for Teen After Hours programming was born. These programs, offered exclusively to teenagers after school, typically in the evening, after the standard library hours, provide a safe space for such exploration with friends and allow teens to test boundaries in an age-appropriate manner. This is an important part of their development!
When I worked in outreach, I hosted several after-hours programs for teens. Each occurred at a different library branch in our library system and included pizza, snacks, bottled water, board games, and several passive activity kits. We would host them in the evening from 6-9 pm after the branch had "closed" to the public. Private study rooms and conference rooms were always locked off, but teen participants could explore the branch, check out books, and hang out with their friends in a no-pressure environment the entire time. I usually would bring a speaker as well, so we could play music first to reduce some of the awkwardness since the teens often didn't know one another yet.
It was amazing to watch how much the teens enjoyed having the safe space to exist without anyone making them feel unwanted, too loud, too silly, etc. After one of the After Hours programs, I even received the sweet note below.
One of the most popular kits that I brought on a whim to an After Hours teen program was CD Scratch art. I got the idea from https://craftprojectideas.com/cd-scratch-art-mandala/
but here is an even easier tutorial: https://www.instructables.com/Simple-CD-Scratch-Art/ .
Below are some pictures of the scratch art that we made.
The first two pictures are of the creative designs the teens made. The last one is mine. I had so much fun joining in at the end.
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