There are some public libraries that are doing great work with kids involved with the juvenile justice system. At ALA last summer, I attended a program about a library that lines up volunteer bedtime readers and author visits at the local juvenile detention center. And in our own state, there are libraries doing some great work with kids who are incarcerated or who are at risk of detention. This morning, Wisconsin Public Radio highlighted a program run by the Madison Public Library’s Bubbler called Making Justice, that works with teens and volunteer artists to create art together. I highly recommend taking a listen–it is great to hear about such an exciting program, and fun to hear libraries make the news for such a positive reason!
The Importance of Teen Spaces in Public Libraries
Why a teen space? All people, including teens, benefit from informal public gathering places where they can interact or just share space with others. This is sometimes called a “third space”. Spending time with friends in an environment that is less structured than...
