On my way back from dinner, I stopped by the Boston Public Library. The building was very beautiful, and the Young Adult section, had its own floor, located on the mezzanine between the children and the adult floor. The mezzanine only contains half the floor space of the other levels, but is home to only the foreign language collection and the Young Adult Section, tucked away in its own room. Upon entering the room, you realize it is not very modern or flashy, but when you look closer at the shelves and on the walls, you see the marks of teens. The shelves are lined with YA books in every genre a librarian could want. The tables and chairs look exactly like the uncomfortable but durable chairs that are in many libraries, but on the tables, there are art models and supplies for teens to use. In one corner, a shelf has a few games, but use has pretty much worn out the collection of Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, and Checkers. On the walls teen artwork, postcards, and photographs cover the dull paint. When I arrived, a Yu-gi-uh gaming group had just left. Their group was not an organized library program, but I think it speaks volumes that these teens choose to use the library for their meeting place, and the librarians supported and encouraged their non-traditional library use.
At first glance, the Young adult room looks slightly dreary, but when looking past the surface you can see a lively young adult area. I wonder if this room’s first impression affects the young adults. I started asking the librarian questions, and that is how I learned about all of the wonderful things going on in the room. I admire what the librarians are working to accomplish for the teens, but wonder if our Young Adult Sections should need an interpreter.
I think it is important to talk about what could be improved even in the Young Adult Spaces we all admire. We can work to advocate the equal treatment of teens with the adult and children services, as well as strive to provide a teen area that is ideal for teens without having to construct a new building. I think the only way we can make an innovative teen section is if we can take educated risks.
