MIDLAND LIBRARY CREATES NEW TEEN SPACE

THE VAULT, A ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR, IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THOSE AGED 12-18

Teenagers in Midland have a new space to hang out.

The Midland Public Library has created a space on the second floor called "The Vault" that's exclusively for those aged 12-18.

The small room gets its name from the vault in the wall, left over from when the library building was a post office. Since then, the room has served a variety of purposes. Most recently, it held archives for SainteMarie among the Hurons and the Martyrs' Shrine. When those files were returned, the idea for a teen space was born.

In The Vault, teens can connect with designated library staff, library programs designed by and for their demographic, or connect with other youth-focused community resources.

"Everything in the space was designed for teens by teens," said Jennifer Paquette, the library's adult and teen services coordinator. "It's a space for teens to be teens — to be 100 per cent themselves."

Paquette sent out surveys and solicited ideas from a teen advisory group to help guide the creation and design of the space. Several patrons made significant donations, which allowed the library to carry out that group's vision.

"The (teens) talked about using the space to escape their hectic lives," said Paquette. "(It's) a place for them to come and hang out with friends ... or a quiet space for them to be able to study."

The space has a large TV and Nintendo Switch for gaming, comfortable seating, a study bar, wall display for books, a small fridge full of drinks and a cupboard full of snacks.

A contest was held to decorate the space, with the winner choosing the main colours, the carpet,

the patterns and the artwork in the room.

Library staff are hoping the space will help retain more library users through their teenage

years. Most kids get introduced to the library by their parents, who bring them to children's programs. As they age, many of them stop visiting.

"A space like this, that is for them, helps sustain those library users and lifelong literacy and learning lovers through into adults," said Paquette.