SOUTHWICK – March is all about teens at the Southwick Library.
Jacklyn Hart is the new young adult librarian and she has several events for area teens to have fun, learn, and be part of the library this month.
The Teen Lounge is an opportunity for students in grades 7-12 to have a safe place to hang out with friends, or make new ones. The Teen Lounge meets March 9 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. and participants can play on the Wii system and enjoy snacks. This month’s Teen Lounge falls during Teen Tech Week which is held every year in March. This year’s theme is “Create It At Your Library.” During the Teen Lounge, students can try out the library’s new 3D printing pen and make some fun crafts with Duct tape.
Teen Tech Week Scavenger Hunt at the Southwick Public Library is also in March.
Hart encouraged teens to stop by the Young Adult department during Teen Tech Week and the week after (March 9-20) and fill out a tech-related scavenger hunt. All teens in grades 7-12 who return the scavenger hunt form will be entered to win a prize.
The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is meeting at the Southwick Public Library on Thursday, March 10 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. At the TAB, the group will brainstorm events to put on at the library for teens, create themed book displays, and discuss ways to make the library better for young adults. The TAB is an activity you can add to a resume or college application.
Teen Movie Night is set for March 16 at 5 p.m. Come see the second movie based on Veronica Roth’s popular Young Adult series (PG-13) on before the series finale hits theaters. Wear your best Tris or Four cosplay and say goodbye to another Young Adult film adaptation. For grades 7-12. Refreshments will be served.
Hart was hired last month and is committed to young adult readers.
“They have so much to give,” she said. “They’re full of hope and are very idealistic. They want to change the world, but at the same time they’re going through a lot of changes and trying to figure themselves out.”
Hart said she hopes to be a mentor and a friend to teens, as well as educating them and bringing some fun to the library.
“My goal is to foster a community,” she said. “I want to bring teens in and create a space where they feel comfortable and belong.”
In April, Hart plans to host a Poetry Slam as well as a poetry contest for high school students,
