One Year of Teen After Hours
- Bari Collard
- Dec 3, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2024
A year ago, we started doing bimonthly Teen After Hours programs to reach our teen-aged patrons. We purposefully planned each one to take place after the library has closed to give teens their space to explore the library without older or younger generations in the building. Now that we’ve come full circle, let’s reflect on the year.
October 2023
First up was the Blytheville Public Library. At this Teen After Hours event, we put our new (at the time) outdoor programming space to use. Our friends at Blytheville Main Street loaned us their fancy fire pit, and we made s’mores while telling ghost stories around the fire. The teens were in for a scare from the Blytheville library’s ghost (AKA Ms. Lilly) and the party was moved inside to allow the teens the chance to explore and make themselves at home inside.
December 2023
The MCLS teens took over the Osceola Public Library in December for a festive escape room activity. They also played games, made fancy hot cocoa, and decorated Christmas cookies! The night was finished off with whipped cream mustaches. (All their idea)
February 2024
The Keiser Public Library prepared a chocolate fountain with sweet treats and a Valentine’s Day themed scavenger hunt around the library.
April 2024
The Manila Public Library does PROM NIGHT! With cotton candy glitter bomb drinks and other tasty refreshments, the teens were split into teams to design prom attire from newspapers. Contestants walked on a fashion runway to show off their beautiful designs.
June 2024
Did somebody say luau? The Leachville Public Library hosted Teen After Hours during the month of June. This event was in the midst of the annual summer reading program, and with the theme being adventure, obviously we had to take our teens on an adventure! The MCLS brought Hawaii to Leachville, AR with a luau themed After Hours program. Hula dancing, tourist racing, and other fun activities were part of the itinerary.
October 2024
One year later, after the very first Teen After Hours event, the fun went back to the Keiser Public Library for a fall/Halloween themed night of fun. The teens painted pumpkins, competed in witches broom limbo, played Halloween charades, made Witches Brew punch, and ate vampire donuts. What a treat!
Where to next?
The MCLS is working hard to plan the next Teen After Hours event! The next one will take place at the Manila Public Library on December 17 at 5:00pm. We will be playing Christmas themed Telephone Pictionary, building gingerbread houses, minute-to-win-it snow shovel race and bow pick-up. For snacks we will have Grinch popcorn and a hot cocoa bar!
More photos to reflect on a fun year!
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It's wonderful to read the piece on 'Teen After Hours' at the library. I liked how it highlights the program reaching its one-year milestone, giving local teens a safe space in the evenings to study, play games, and take part in casual workshops. Overall, the idea of libraries extending teen-focused evening access feels especially relevant for students balancing study pressures and schoolwork. It also connects with how many students look for structured guidance online through Assignment Writing Australia, while services like New Assignment Help are often mentioned in study discussions without feeling intrusive in everyday academic conversations among peers these days in Australia. Nice post
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The article reflecting on one year of the Teen After Hours program really stood out to me, especially the way it highlights how library spaces can be reshaped into safe, welcoming environments specifically for teens outside of regular hours. It feels like a thoughtful response to the need for spaces where young people can just exist, study, or socialize without pressure, and it’s interesting how something as traditional as a library can be reimagined in that way. I also found myself wondering what kinds of activities or support services have been most popular with the teens who attend, since engagement often changes depending on how the space is used over time. In a broader sense, it’s interesting how access to…
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