Schools

Library Becomes Teen Friendly

Matawan-Aberdeen Library is dedicating part of the library entirely to teens while also focusing on teen programming

Teens will have a new space to call home this summer at the Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library.

The library reorganized the second floor to make space for cafe tables, bar stools and chairs donated by the Friends of the Library. Teen books, audio, magazines and graphic novels were also moved to the second floor.

The Friends of the Library will dedicate and open the Teen Place at a reception at the library on June 21 at 6:30 PM.

"It's mostly just furniture for their use, a space that they can call their own," said Kimberly Paone, the library director. "Eventually we hope to have computers and more but at this point we just want to be more welcoming to our teens in the community. They don't really have a place to be. There's a dedicated children's area and a dedicated adult area, and no space in between."

According to Paone, teenagers are an underserved demographic.

"I think libraries as a whole cater to the younger kids. And then when they get a little older they're not as supported and we lose them. We hope to get them back when they're adults and then we don't. If we continue to welcome them through their teen years then we can hopefully keep them coming through their twenties and thirties," Paone said.

The library will also host multiple teen programs throughout the summer, including a lock-in on June 24 and August 5, Jeopardy on July 11 and Paint the Ceiling on June 29, where teens can paint the library ceiling tiles.

According to Paone, the Teen Place and teen programming are important because they help to shape teenagers as they grow into adults.

"People don't realize that in a few years time teens are the people that will be voting and they are the people that will be making decisions," Paone said.

For more event information and registration, visit the library's website or call at 732-593-9100.


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