The following comments and suggestions were contributed by teens during a meeting to discuss the new teen space at White Plains Public Library. Comments below are recorded as they were suggested and offer a range of possibilities that will be considered as plans for the developing the space move forward. Add your comments in the box at the bottom of this post.
White Plains Public Library Creating a Teen Space
June 2008
What WP Teens Want In Their Space
• Welcoming
• Bright colors
• Comfortable
• Spacious
• Private
• Areas for noise AND quiet
• Carpet and/or vinyl floors
• No adults or little kids
• Snacks allowed
• Books, movies, music,
computers, displays of interest
Areas for individuals AND small groups to:
• Sit & read
• Study
• Use computers
• Listen to music
• Watch movies
• Relax, hang out with friends
• Create and share
PLUS more programming ofinterest (which can take place in another area)
WP Teen Space Ideas
• SIZE: about 3X size of Galaxy Hall
• Location away from adults so they won’t be disturbed by noise, etc.
– Don’t put on 1st floor if teens can’t make noise
– Put it at the back of the Mezzanine
– Use shelving as “walls” to give some privacy,
maybe in a star pattern with the teen space in the middle
• Showcase/display area for creative work – art, mural, white board,
graffiti wall
• Production studio (movies, music, etc.)
• Art supplies and space to draw, paint, (or not –some said no, would be messy)
• Sound domes, baffles, anything to sound proof and contain noise
• Café, vending machines – kids are hungry when they get out of school,
• Walk into big soccer ball to get into the space
• Use revolving doors
• Lighting: interesting, fun, some of it good for working
• Have a small stage
• Make exterior windows so teens can look out,
but people can’t look in
• Flexible flooring – like carpet squares or vinyl (can make/change patterns)
What they say about COLORS
• Bright
• Variety, but not chaotic
• Contrasting, e.g. purple, yellow, orange or purple, green, pink
• Dark blue, like top of Teen Universe
• Blue, purple, red, yellow, orange, green
• Rainbow
• Design flag with teen colors – The Edge
What they say about FURNITURE
• Variety: fabric, plastic, tall, short, soft, not
• Movable
• Easily cleaned
• Bulletin boards (sparkly?)
Things they liked in the
photo examples:
• Metal curtain, green chairs, (larger) yellowchairs with footstools, red beanbags
• Types of chairs: Hard for working, soft for lounging, massage, reclining, rolling, spinning, movie theater, beanbag, fabric AND
bright hard vinyl, chairs that lean back
• Cushioned story steps
• High tables; stools with backs
What they say about TECHNOLOGY
• Computers to work on projects (recordings, videos, photography, graphics) AND check e-mail, IM, play games
• PCs (prefer Laptops)
• Macs for creative work
• Wi-Fi
• Big screen and sound domes
– TV screen shaped likefootball
• “Music system” to download music to MP3 or iPod
• Listening/viewing stations
• Large calculator on wall or built into tables
• Smart Board/Interactive white board – use for math (need help in math)
• Gaming? Some yes; some
no – yes wants gaming consoles xBox360 (has moregames), Wii (has better remotes), networked games
• Can use cell phone
• Phone to use if you don’t have a cell
What they say about BOOKS, ETC.
• Have a better selection, arrangement and displays
• Put YA books and crossovers in the teen space
• Divide into sections by genre, like a bookstore
• Have more copies of popular books
– More manga and how to draw books
• Have a place where teens can write what books they
want – make “Request for Purchase” more available, publicize it
• Have a display board where teens can recommend
books, post reviews, etc.
• Have video games to borrow
• Have books, etc. in different languages
How they pick books to read
• Favorite author
• Favorite genre
• Family recommendation
• Friend recommendation
• Browse
• Cover art and description on book Suggestion: Put up a display board so teens can post recommendations and reviews, and make suggestions for purchase.
What they say about PROGRAMS
• Gaming tournaments
• Chess tournaments
• Book discussion groups
• Movies
– Summer Film Festival
• College and career
• Scholarships
• Songwriting
• Art & music showcase
• Introduction to adult library (what they’ll need in High School)
– Welcome to 7th grade
• How to do research
• Study groups for different grades/classes
• Art & music showcase
Good times for programs: after school weekdays (4pm on) and Sunday pm.
Put programs that will attract a big group in a meeting room, not in the teen space (toomuch noise, disruption, crowding)
Fundraising – Bad idea:
“White Plains Idol” fundraiser
Fundraising – Better ideas:
WPHS Songwriters Club performance
Big author – book signing
What they say about
STANDARDS, STAFF & SECURITY
• Don’t let it get out of control (too many people in the space, disturbances)
• Have a teen Code of Conduct & let teens help write it
• Have adequate security
– Cameras, guard when needed
• Have no security, and no adults
• Use teen volunteers, but don’t ask them to enforce rules with their peers
(awkward)
• Make sure the right adults are available to help
– Librarians who are friendly and not so strict
• Let teens rate staff on their friendliness, helpfulness
• Laptop security: use alarms, or sign them out
• Rules for food and drink should be fair to everyone (not just teens)
Some questions teens asked
• Where it would be - First Floor
• How many chairs – to be determined
• How large a group could be there – to be determined
• The name – The Edge
• Would there be more security? It is a priority, ask city to fund it.
• How are books previewed? Could teens preview books?
Some adult concerns and suggestions
• Potential for noise, disturbances
• Adequate security – maybe use one of the good HS guards
• Quiet study (for everyone)
• Staff training how to work with teens
• Teen on Library Board
• Have a special library card for The Edge, have kids sign a teen
Code of Conduct to get it, and withdraw Edge privileges if abused; have photo on card
• Ease of upkeep – cleanliness
• Separate teen rest rooms (so they don’t have to share with adults)
What happens next?
• Library staff goes through the ideas and does a project plan
• We hire an architect who designs the space
• At future meetings (over the next 7-8 months), we invite teen input on the
design, furnishings and décor
• We raise money for the project!
How teens can help
• Give us your contact information
– We’ll let you know about progress and future meetings
• Share this presentation with your friends and let us
know what your ideas
• Share photos with us of places you and your friends
like to spend time
• Tell us if you’d like to be part of a Teen Advisory
Group
• Help us raise funds – give us ideas, get your parents
involved, and participate
• Tell us how else you’d like to be involved
How adults can help
• Give us your contact information
– We’ll let you know about progress and future meetings
• Share this presentation with friends – and teens!
• Share your ideas with us
• Help us raise funds – give us ideas, share your
connections, get involved on a committee, get people
you know to participate
• Tell us how else you’d like to be involved
How to reach us
• Sandra Miranda, Library Director
smiranda@whiteplainslibrary.org
• Patricia Thorsen, Assistant Director
pthorsen@whiteplainslibrary.org
• Mariel Perez, Young Adult Librarian
mperez@whiteplainslibrary.org
