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By NATHAN MARCHAND
Looking for a safe place where your teen can hang out? Does she need help with homework? Does he want to catch up on the latest exploits of Superman?
The Young Adult (YA) section of the Wells County Public Library is where he needs to go!
But the library does more than just offer books for teens to read. It also offers clubs, events, homework help and more.
Jennifer Martin heads the department. She has been the YA librarian since the position was created in 2000. Leah Baumgardner and Catherine McKnight also work in the YA section.
“Unlike many libraries, our YA section is a subdivision of reference, not the children’s department,” said Martin. She is very grateful for all the help the reference section has given her.
She said the YA section has more than 5,000 books, including over 2,100 fiction books and more than 1,500 graphic novels. There are also non-fiction books, magazines and books on tape available.
“Graphic novels are the most popular section,” said Martin. “They circulate twice as much as fiction [and] half of it (the collection) circulates in a month.” She added, “One month, I had 1,500 books and 900 were checked out.” Several series and titles are so popular, there is a long waiting list for them.
Martin acquires most of the graphic novels from MCS Cards, Games, and Comics on Wabash St.
“They give comics and advice,” said Martin. “They tell me what to get and if it’s important.”
Martin said the popularity of graphic novels has required her to expand her literary horizons. “I had to learn how to learn how to read comics since I didn’t read them as a child.”
The most popular book in the YA section is Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, the first in a series of novels called The Twilight Saga.
“I predominately order books off of reviews,” said Martin. “I read six different review journals to see if I’m going to order them. Graphic novels aren’t reviewed as much. I have a limited budget, so I can’t afford to have garbage on the shelf.”
Several clubs meet at the library on a monthly basis. These are Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.), Teen Book Club and Manga Club.
T.A.B. is made up of teens who make decisions about the books and magazines the library purchases for the YA section and they also decide what programs to hold. Currently, there are 11 members. Unlike regular boards, no one in T.A.B. is appointed to their position. It is simply open to any interested teen in grades six through twelve. They meet the last Tuesday of each month at the library.
Teen Book Club is for teens ages 12 to 18 who enjoy reading and discussing books. The club votes on what book to read each month. They then post what book they will discuss around the library and on the library’s web site. It currently has 10 members. They meet the first Monday of each month.
Manga Club is for teens ages 12 to 18 who enjoy reading mangas, which are Japanese comic books. There are currently 18 members. The club also meets the first Monday of each month.
Martin says Teen Book Club is the oldest YA program at the library. “I have kids who started in sixth grade who are graduating and they’ve all been accepted to college.”
Martin also said she enjoys Teen Book Club the most because “I feel like I get the most one-on-one interaction with the kids. I see how their brains work and what’s important to them. They keep me informed what’s going on in teen culture. They’re the group where I feel I make a difference.”
Besides those, the library also holds other monthly activity each month.
One is the Monthly Movie, where a G-rated or PG-rated movie is shown in the library. Snacks are served and everyone is invited.
Other events vary each month. They’ve included tie dying, “Yuck Night,” “Taste Test Night” and “Library Survivor.”
“We do craft projects, scavenger hunts, cooking. It rotates,” said Martin.
The most popular event has been “Duct Tape Night.”
“It’s the best for more ages and both genders,” said Martin. “Boys and girls like duct tape.” She said middle schoolers usually make wallets or flip-flops with duct tape, while high schoolers make flowers for their mothers or girlfriends.
The next most popular event has been Chinese New Year.
“We normally have events every two years,” said Martin, “but we get lots of demand for this event because younger siblings missed it when their older siblings attended it.”
The library also has many resources to help teens with their homework. Besides its many books, the library’s web site has many databases, including Student Resource Center Gold, Science Center and Opposing Viewpoints.
Martin uses what she calls the “Question of the Week” to sharpen teens researching skills. She posts a question on the YA desk and students must use library resources to find the answer, which earns them a treat.
“They think they’re getting candy,” said Martin. “I think they’re learning how use index cards.”
Why are more teens getting involved in the library?
“I think now they have their own space, so that helps,” said Martin. “I’ve had some kids come and have fun, so they invite friends. Word’s getting out that we’re a fun place.”
She also attributes it to the fact “that people can voice opinions without being judged or put down” at the library’s clubs.
Martin said it’s good that teens are there because “when they’re here playing on MySpace, they’re not getting in trouble. If they’re not here, what would they be doing?”
What can teens expect to see in the future at the library?
Starting May 22, Martin brought in a Nintendo Wii and several popular games like “Mario Kart Wii” and “Super Smash Bros. Brawl.” Teens must earn time to play the Wii by attending club meetings and events, volunteering at the library, and reading books. This was all decided by T.A.B., which makes Martin proud.
Also, said Martin, “By the time school starts, we want to have online reference, but we don’t know if that will be through e-mail or live chat.”
Martin also hopes to get more boys involved in the library. “We have some because of the graphic novels and ‘Runescape’ on the YA computers,” said Martin. She added that 16 of the 18 members of Manga Club are girls.
Martin added, “Taxpayer dollars don’t pay for programs. They pay for materials and my salary.” Many contributions are given by Friends of the Library and the Wells County Foundation.
What does Martin hope teens take away from their involvement in the library?
“First, I hope they get a love for learning,” she began. “Second, I hope they think it’s safe and fun place to be. We try to have a learning aspect to each program, though we try to hide it.”