An expansion of after-school programming is one of the more significant improvements at the new Powell River Public Library.
Young minds have three program choices this fall, including Young Writers’ Writing Group, Zine Lab and Rock and Read.
At its former location on Duncan Street below city hall, the library was only able to offer school tours before opening hours because having 30 students in cramped quarters left no room for the public, according to assistant chief librarian Rebecca Burbank.
“After-school programming opportunities are now almost unlimited,” said Burbank.
In its previous model, the young writers’ group sessions ran on Saturdays.
“We already had a following for that program specifically,” said Burbank. “We have teens in the area who are working on their writing and would like to grow.”
Fan of futuristic, action and adventure novels Hannah Krausz, 14, has been attending the group since it started.
“Being a writer has always been one of the things I've wanted to do,” said Krausz. “It seemed like a great opportunity to learn more about writing and it's great to be in a group to be able to share my writing and receive feedback.”
Krausz has written a number of short stories and has started a novel.
“I started a few weeks ago and I've been able to get quite a bit more work done than I would have if the writers’ group wasn't here,” said Krausz. “I have a lot more ideas for it.”
Suitable for ages 11 and over, Young Writers’ Writing Group takes place from 3-5 pm every Friday.
Another teen program, Rock and Read, is a twist on the traditional book club, according to teen services coordinator Megan Cole. She said she hopes teens will connect to reading through music.
“Sometimes you read a book and think of a great soundtrack and what scenes connect with certain songs,” said Cole. “They'll bring the list of songs with them on Thursdays when we meet and we'll listen to the songs and talk about why they picked them.”
Rock and Read is intended to appeal to teens of all ages, but it may deal with mature content. Preregistration is required for the program that runs from 3-5 pm on Thursdays from September 28 to May 24.
Book clubs and writers’ groups are library staples, but the new Zine Lab is something else entirely. Teens are author, artist, editor, art director and publisher of a throwback to the 1970s when counter-culture children made homemade magazines.
Zine Lab begins October 3 and runs from 3-5 pm every Tuesday until December 5 as a drop-in intended for ages eight and over; preregistration is not required.
Reading among teens has been in sharp decline, according to recent studies, with research showing that children are not into books as much after age eight.
According to Burbank, it is too early to tell if more after-school programs will entice more young people to use library, but even without those activities, the reception has been unbelievable and beyond all expectations.
“All summer we were just floored with the number of kids and teens coming into the space to use the computers,” said Burbank. “We were all pretty thrilled and maybe a little shocked to see teens in the new teen room happily reading quietly and enjoying themselves in a space that was really dedicated to them.”
