I would not have predicted this one. I know that Wii bowling has been popular with seniors, but our programming staff has not found much interests among the group that comes to the library for adult game days. But somehow we wound up with a visiting group of Hmong elders who came to try Wii bowling. Staff reports those attending enjoyed themselves greatly, and then adjourned upstairs to see our new Hmong Resource Center, currently in development.
We had a great conversation about gaming at this week's meeting of our Library Board. Noting that attendance at our young adult programs has dramatically increased, the Board had a good conversation with strong contributions by Ryan Nelson, our teen Board member, on the value of gaming to bring YAs to the library. We started this a couple months ago by borrowing gaming systems bought by OWLS with an LSTA grant. Now Paula, our YA Librarian, has just applied to our Foundation to purchase our own gaming systems -- that didn't take long!
Bethany Blank, 14, and Skyler Keough, 15, both of Appleton enjoy some friendly competition while playing a video game during the Teens Take a Break series at the Appleton Public Library. Post-Crescent photo by Dan Powers
By Cheryl Sherry
Post-Crescent staff writer
When you think of hot spots for teen fun, the Appleton Public Library doesn't necessarily come to mind.
Not yet anyway.
"We're not just stuffy old books and homework," young adult librarian Paula Wright said.
Although the library always has offered programming for teens, it never has been on a weekly basis. That all changed Tuesday with the kick-off of the new Teens Take a Break series, which gives young adults in grades seven through 12 four different entertainment options each month. It also gives them a break from the rigors of school, homework, work and social obligations.
"This is something where they can take a break from their busy lives and at least once a week come to the library and do something fun and relaxing," Wright said.
Menasha teen Tori Fisher said while there are many activities in the area for teens, Take a Break will offer them the chance to hang out with teens from all over the Fox Valley, which normally isn't an option.
Kaukauna teen Skyler Keough not only sees the program as a great idea, but the library as a great place to do it.
"I think that if the word gets out, then as more teens come together we can make more friends and become more accepting of others. There are many great opportunities, and I hope to become involved in as many as possible. … I think the program will be a huge success."
"The idea was to have one all-encompassing program where we try to incorporate all the different things we know teens are interested in and want to do into one big program where we do something for them every Tuesday night," Wright said. "So they know at the library every Tuesday night there's going to be some kind of program. And the different kinds of programs appeal to different kinds of personalities of teens. The goal is to let teens know there is a place they can come hang out. They are welcome."
The first Tuesday of the month is game break night, a drop-in chance to play Wii or Playstation 2, board games or cards.
"We've had lots of requests by teens to do some kind of gaming program, and the Wii and the Playstation 2 aren't available to all teens," Wright said.
As part of the Outagamie Waupaca Library System, a Wii, Playstation 2 and games were purchased and made available to member libraries interesting in offering a gaming program for children, teens or adults.
Under the guidance of library assistant Diana Sandberg, week two of the program gives the crafty teen a chance to create anything from a juice pouch handbag to Amigurumi (Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals) to magnetic poetry.
Anime will be shown on the third Tuesday of the month. Anime is essentially animation and a popular form of entertainment in Japan. Many times, anime comes from a manga, or Japanese comic book.
Music will fill the atrium on the last Tuesday of the month with the Jungle Jive Concert venue featuring local teen and young adult bands.
"It's an opportunity for teens to play their music in a safe open environment that is extremely casual," Wright said. "It is hard for teens to find a forum in which they can play. They have to play 50 minutes to an hour, and all musical styles are welcome."
Plus, bands get paid.
For participating teens, however, Teens Take a Break doesn't cost a dime, thanks to the Appleton Library Foundation.
Cheryl Sherry: 920-993-1000, ext. 249, or csherry@postcrescent.com
