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 school is an important part of teens’ development and wellbeing.  Teens who are behaving in developmentally appropriate ways, like hanging out or being silly and noisy, often find that they are not welcome in retail establishments and other locales, especially if they are not spending money.  Having a space in the public library that is specifically designed with teens’ needs in mind helps teens feel more connected to their communities.  It also provides a lightly structured and safe environment where teens can engage in learning, creation, socializing, and developing their own interests.

Because the teen space, when designed well, is attractive and comfortable, adults often want to spend time there as well.  Unfortunately, this can hamper teen enjoyment and use of the space.  According to the Young Adult Library Services National Teen Space Guidelines, a “teen-only” policy for the use of the space–aside from library staff, adults who are browsing for materials, or are accompanied by a teen–is best practice.  This allows teens a space that is uniquely their own.  Benefits include:

• Teens feel more protected from the potential for risky, adult-initiated behaviors.
• Noise levels that may be distracting to adults are contained in the teen area, ensuring that there is space for everyone.
• Many teens feel more at ease in a teens-only library space because they can be themselves in a teen-friendly environment

Libraries that provide comfortable and inviting space that is created with the input of teens support teens’ social, emotional, and intellectual development.  This is especially true when combined with dedicated staff who develop nurturing relationships with teens, along with collections and programs that speak to their needs and interests.  Excellent teen services and spaces lead to healthier communities and better outcomes for all.

Sources:

Importance of Third Spaces/Places, with special attention to teens:

https://www.editcm.com/blog/2024/1/12/offline-oasis-why-teens-need-non-digital-third-spaces

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.529818/full

https://collectivehealthtrust.org/building-belonging-community-comes-together-to-create-third-spaces-for-teens/

https://scsmh.education.uiowa.edu/news/2025/12/beyond-bell-why-third-spaces-matter-whole-community-and-school-well-being

Teens-spaces in libraries

https://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/teenspaces

https://bookriot.com/teenagers-need-their-own-library-space/

https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/08ff0e5b-ccf1-4da3-8378-006d3bae5e25/content

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/65817/why-teens-love-to-hang-out-at-the-library#episode-transcript

https://medium.com/reimagining-the-civic-commons/getting-our-kids-off-devices-and-into-public-spaces-f1c84be09db1

https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/30410/22726