News

Registration Begins Tuesday, September 20

Libraries will be the place to be for teenagers to hang out this fall as the Lackawanna County Library System rolls out the “Teen Reading Lounge” in seven locations.

Teen Reading Lounge is a program developed by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and libraries throughout the state to get teens involved in the humanities during out-of-school hours through reading, activities and experiences.

The program encourages teens to read and talk about the literature that matters to them. Popular young adult books include fantasy and dystopian novels, graphic novels and comics.

It also aims to help libraries build their capacity for humanities programming to young people.

Teen Reading Lounge is scheduled to run during the months of September, October, and November. Each library will develop its own program with participants reading books, engaging in discussions about what they have read, and taking part in activities and experiences designed to enhance the reading.

Each program will be staffed by a coordinator versed in humanities. They will work with the Teen Librarian at their respective library to insure program quality and success.

Three libraries in the System piloted Teen Reading Lounge in 2014 and all libraries participated in Teen Reading Lounge in spring 2015. This participation and past experience proved the program’s value, according to Mary Garm, library system administrator.

“The libraries got a strong response from teens and a high level of involvement from those who joined,” she said.

Sandy Longo, assistant director of the Abington Community Library and system coordinator for Teen Reading Lounge, said that teens should join to have fun, but in the process they will sharpen interpersonal and communications skills, improve their media literacy and hone critical thinking skills.

“It’s an informal setting outside of school,” she said, “but it’s also a great opportunity to enhance important life skills.”

The Teen Reading Lounge program at each library is being funded by the Lackawanna County Library System. Books and other materials will be provided to participants at no charge.

Teens can check their local library for signup details.