Bringing teens into the library

A Wahkiakum Community Network grant of $1500 has prompted an infusion of youthful energy into the Blanche Bradley Public Library.

Under the grant, Keisha Harris, a recent Wahkiakum High School graduate, sophomore Paris Cothren and junior Brittaney Martin interned at the library, handed out 31 new library cards, visited other libraries for youth-friendly ideas and best practices, queried their peers, and came up with a list of books they’d like to see in the library.

The youth worked with Town librarian Connie Christopher and volunteer Toni Hardy, presenting their findings to the city council, the library foundation board, and the library’s board of directors.

One of their concerns was having teen-friendly library hours. At present the library is only open on Wednesday evenings. Christopher said she planned to bring that concern to the budget process.

The interns recommended that a teen area be separated from adults and younger children, and described the types of décor that interested them, citing the new teen area of the Kelso library. The foundation board plans to consider their recommendations in planning a remodel.

Christopher said the library ordered about 40 junior and young adult books from the list, which will be available for check out in about two weeks.

Titles include Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock & Roll Memoir by Steven Tyler, another memoir by Justin Bieber, Justin Bieber: First Step 2, The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks, and Gregor & the Markets of Secret, from Suzanne Collins’ Underland Chronicles series, which is likely the most popular, Christopher said.

The library added two new books on creating your own graphic novels and comics by Jessica Abel, Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics, Manga, Graphic Novels & Beyond.

Since school has been out, “We’re seeing a good turn-out of youth, at least partly due to the grant,” Christopher said. She plans to add video games soon.