3 minute read
GETTING TEENS OFF THEIR DEVICES AND ENGAGED IN REAL LIFE
By Gina Cooper, Spokane Public Library, Teen Librarian
The world is spending more time online. As adults, it can be difficult to manage screen time, but it is certainly a challenge for teens who may also be experiencing added academic and social pressures in their daily lives. With more accessible—and often free— opportunities to connect on smartphones, computers, and television, there seem to be fewer in-person activities available for teens to meet and feel safe.
At the library, we strive to provide these experiences through free regular, in-person, collaborative events for middle and high schoolers. They have access to a place where they can connect with others who share their interests and who they might not have the opportunity to meet otherwise—all in their own neighborhood.
Fun and Games
With regular Dungeons and Dragons campaigns scheduled each month, teens can step away from their screens and immerse themselves in vast, magical worlds with their friends. These introductory events are beginnerfriendly and offer a chance to build relationships, social skills, and confidence that would not be possible by exclusively playing games online. There are opportunities to play video games and engage with virtual reality, too, but we play them together in groups! We take an onlineonly experience and provide a place where they can play with others in-person, relax, snack, visit, and return again and again.
Arts and Crafts
If gaming is not their thing, teens can get creative, express themselves, and make something new. Through the Cozy Hangout events, teens can test out different paints, paper, activities, and techniques without worrying about the cost. Participants leave these events with the ability to start a hobby that may stay with them for years to come. Discovering new interests can have high barriers. At the library, teens can try out new things without worrying about purchasing supplies or collecting all the information they need to begin.
The library offers these events in addition to many others geared toward middle and high schoolers. What all of them have in common is an emphasis on community and self-expression. In a world where we are spending less time interacting with people and community, teen services in the library offer an alternative where participants can make deeper connections and have shared experiences with their peers in a safe and welcoming place.
