Photo by Jackie Hemond
New Teen Outreach Coordinator Wendy Mitzel is pictured at the door to the temporary library’s Teen Room, which seldom needs to be closed.
Kent Memorial librarians are eager to see Suffield middle schoolers and teens take advantage of all there is to offer this summer.
From hanging out with friends or a good book inside the air-conditioned teen room or outside at the shady picnic tables to joining teen-oriented programming, there is a place for everyone.
“I’ve only been here for three years, but I understand that there was a more restrictive atmosphere in place regarding teens in the past,” said Director Jackie Hemond. “We want teens to know that they are welcome at the library and they are an important part of the library community.”
To that end, the library has hired a new, part-time teen outreach coordinator, and I took on the job in June. I hold a Master’s in Fine Arts in creative writing from Lesley University and have been active in the community for the past ten years on the Friends of the Kent Memorial Library, Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools and school and town-related boards and committees.
It seems only natural to combine my love for libraries and books with the volunteering I’ve done in town to reach a new audience and get them involved.
My first tasks include promoting teen participation at the library. We want to get kids in the door. The current location is cozy, for sure, but we’ll make room for kids who want to use the computers for Minecraft or relax and complete their summer reading. We are developing a Teen Advisory Board to help us plan programs and update our reading materials.
I want parents to know that the library can be a cure for summer boredom. If it’s walkable, kids can stop and grab a coffee or ice cream in town, head down Ffyler Place and gather at the picnic table and chairs outside the library. There are these really great bags full of summer activities they can check out. They can grab some free magazines to read or play a board game. We are taking suggestions, so feel free to stop by the library and leave a note or email me with your ideas.
Teen programs are currently in the works and will likely include science and technology, coding, book clubs, writing workshops, guest authors and artists, blogging and even a possible Teen Beach Reads Day featuring local bands and entertainment. Parents and teens should keep an eye on the library website (suffield-library.org), the Facebook page (Kent Memorial Library, Suffield), Twitter (@suffieldlibteens) and Instagram (@suffieldlibraryteens) for more information and upcoming programming.
Hemond commented, “I feel that we are now close to solving the problems at the library facility on 50 North Main Street and I want to start gearing up for our move back to our real home. We want to create a robust teen presence at the library with programs and library materials that teens want. I also want the teens to know that there is a safe environment for them to hang out at the library.”
Summer hours in July and August are Monday through Firday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wendy Pierman Mitzel can be reached at wmitzel@suffield-library.org.