BELLOWS FALLS-The Rockingham Free Public Library (RFPL) invites local teens to take over the library this September with “Teen Takeover: After School, Your Space,” a series of social and hands-on programs designed to give teens a place to connect, create, explore new interests, and spend time together.
The series includes a variety of experiences throughout September, beginning with Zine Making (Thursday, Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m.), when teens can create their own mini-magazines using art, collage, writing, and design.
Other activities include Teen Book Group (Wednesdays, Sept. 9 and 16, 3:30 p.m.), when participants help choose the books, receive copies to keep, and enjoy relaxed conversation and food. In Literary Pinball (Thursday, Sept. 17, 3:30 p.m.), teens will build and customize their own tabletop pinball game. Space for this program is limited and registration is required.
The series continues with Teen After-Hours: Game, Movie & Make Night (Friday, Sept. 18, 5 to 9 p.m.), an evening of games, crafts, movies, food, challenges, and hanging out after the library closes. The conclusion of the series will be Spill the Tea: A (Boston) Tea Party Reimagined (Saturday, Sept. 19, 11 a.m.), a teen-friendly morning tea celebrating America’s 250th birthday through tea tasting, games, hands-on activities, and an exploration of what it means to speak out and make one’s voice heard.
“Young people deserve spaces where they can come as they are, try something new, and have a say in what happens,” said Young Adult Services Librarian Ava Auchmoody in a news release. “Teen Takeover is about making the library feel like their space, [...] where teens feel welcome, connected, and empowered to shape what happens there. It gives them opportunities to take ownership, share their ideas, and build a stronger sense of belonging in their community.”
Teen Takeover offers opportunities that reflect the library’s commitment to encourage young people to participate in their community and shape youth programs. The series is designed to offer multIple ways to participate.
Teen Takeover: After School, Your Space is provided through a grant from Vermont Humanities. For more information, contact the library at 802-463-4270, email youthservices@rockinghamlibrary.org, or visit rockinghamlibrary.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.