The new academic year has begun, and York teens headed to the Library after school have an improved space to hang out, thanks to a room update funded by Yorkwise.
YORKWISE, the community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting drug and alcohol prevention and education for York’s youth and families, funded the room refresh with a $14,500 grant.
The teen space has been a labor of love for YPL youth librarians and many years in the making.
The 450 square-foot Teen Room, now located opposite the Community Room in the Library’s lower level, was originally used as a meeting room. A small young adult area existed in a corner of the upper level, consisting of a book collection, a desk, and two small tables. By 2019, it became clear that more space was needed to house the growing Young Adult collection, and that teens and tweens were in need of a dedicated space to socialize and participate in library programs. To meet this need, then youth librarians Katie Arey and Barb Bourgoine—supported by Director Michelle Sampson and the Library Board—relocated the entire teen area to the lower level of the library.
“The Library can maintain a larger collection of Young Adult books, and there is more room for teens to be in the space physically. Being on a separate floor, the teens enjoy a dedicated space where they can fully engage in activities suited to their age and interests, while also preserving the atmosphere for patrons upstairs,” said Arey.
YPL librarians gathered what furniture they could to create the space. Danielle (“Danie”) Fortin, YPL’s current Young Adult Librarian, has since made it her mission to make it a welcoming place for teens. It has resulted in an ever-increasing number of Middle and High school students who have made the Library their after-school destination.
“We’re a safe place to go between school and home,” said Fortin. “A key part of our mission is for library users–of all ages–to be able to freely engage in play and socialization, while discovering new things. It’s as true for middle and high school aged kids as it is for other library users.”
“They come in, hang out, grab a snack at ‘Cumbies’ – or from us,” she continued. “They’re here to play computer games, do homework, chat with me, participate in one of the Library’s teen programs, play ping pong or Dungeons and Dragons, and relax with friends.”
“It can be described as organized chaos,” joked Fortin.
At roughly 2:30 PM each school day, crowds of students walk to the Library from York Middle and High schools. On a typical day, around forty students use the room and lower lobby, but there have been days when over seventy students are present.
With such heavy traffic, the teen room quickly began to show its wear. It was in a meeting between the library Youth Services team and Yorkwise Board Member Gina Brodsky, then working with York Hospital’s Choose to Be Healthy Coalition, when the idea arose to approach YORKWISE for help.
With organizational goals that complement one another, it was a natural collaboration. YORKWISE responded with enthusiasm, awarding $14,500 for improvements to the YA space.
“YORKWISE’s commitment to alcohol and drug prevention coupled with YPL’s commitment to making youth feel seen, heard, and valued is community partnership at its finest,” said Joe Colwell, YORKWISE President.
PHOTO: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Members of York Public Library Staff and YORKWISE Board Members in the refreshed teen room at York Public Library (Left to right: Danie Fortin, Young Adult Librarian; Joe Colwell, YORKWISE President; Steve Gendron, York Public Library Association Treasurer; Katie Arey, Librarian; Amanda Woods, York Public Library Board; Gina Brodsky, Yorkwise; Michelle Sampson, Library Director)
“This is the power of community,” commented Brodsky. “Our local coalition did a ‘Youth Mattering’ training for staff at YPL. They reflected, and imagined how they could improve their service. They applied for a YORKWISE grant, and suddenly it’s gone from hope to reality! Just awesome,” commented Brodsky.
YORKWISE approved funding for sustainable, washable, and virtually damage-proof flooring; cabinets; soundproofing panels; a librarian’s desk; a mobile bookshelf; and a work table. A small portion of funds was also used to build up a “Care Closet” containing hygiene products, emergency clothing options, sanitary items, hats, coats, and shoes.
When the furniture was delivered, Yorkwise Board members and Library staff gathered together in the newly improved space to celebrate and have a small ribbon-cutting ceremony. More than one person was misty-eyed.
“In the absence of a community center, YPL has filled a real need with our youth who have needed a safe place with caring adults during non-school hours,” said YORKWISE Board member Barrie Hanlon. “The YPL team has risen to the occasion, and then some.”
“Seeing everything come together is kind of surreal. It’s so important to me that these kids feel seen, feel heard. And know that they matter. Giving teens a place that’s clean, intentionally designed for them, and directly suits their needs is something I care deeply about. Giving them that space shows them in a really tangible way that they matter,” Fortin said.
Fortin was overjoyed to welcome students to the transformed space when school started.
“We couldn’t have done this without YORKWISE,” she said. “YORKWISE saw what we were trying to do, and we’re so grateful.”
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YORKWISE is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to promoting drug and alcohol prevention and education for York’s youth and families.
YORKWISE was founded in 1981 and continues to be one of the only organizations of its kind in the State of Maine. YORKWISE supports alcohol/drug-free activities such as Project Graduation as well as funding for educational programs and events for our youth and the community-at-large.
YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY (YPL) is the public library for the Yorks and Cape Neddick. Beyond the 50,000+ in-house items available to borrow—from books, puzzles, and audio books to a pasta maker and digital keyboard— an additional 8.9 million items are available to cardholders through YPL’s participation in Maine’s Minerva Consortium. Library cards are free to any who live, work, go to school, or own property in York, York Harbor, York Beach, and Cape Neddick. Library cards may also be purchased.
As the literal and figurative center of the community,York Public Library is a central hub for our community, offering a wealth of ongoing educational, recreational, and cultural programs – all geared to enrich, entice, and inspire – and all free and open to the public. The library is supported by town funding and The York Public Library Association, the nonprofit entity that owns the library and protects its future. Learn more or donate at yorkpubliclibrary.org.
York Public Library is located at 15 Long Sands Road in York and is open Monday-Thursday 10a-7p; Friday 10a-5p; and Saturday 10a-2p.
