by Genya Coffey

If you have a teenager looking for opportunities to interact socially in the evenings and on the weekends, might I suggest sending them to the Teen Space at the Ames Public Library? The Ames Public Library Teen Space offers teens a place to relax, create, build community, and develop leadership skills.

The Teen Space is located on the ground floor of the Ames Public Library just before you reach the Youth Services desk.  You may have walked right by it without even knowing it was there, as it is closed during the day. But at 4:00pm on weekdays and 1:00pm on weekends, the “hidden” door opens and unveils a special room just for 6th-12th graders!

The Teen Space aims to address the developmental needs of all teens by providing them opportunities to gain confidence, experience achievement, explore identity, express themselves creatively, and engage in positive social interactions. Teens who visit the space will find a room designed with their needs in mind through the flexible design of the space, regular passive programming options, and various active programs.

There is always a Youth Services staff member present to oversee the space, but teens are given agency to use the space to fit their needs and interests. For example, there are numerous flexible seating areas to accommodate multiple simultaneous activities as well as teens' social preferences. Teens can rearrange the furniture as needed to accommodate their chosen activity. 

There are numerous activity options always available such as Art Project Boxes, a collection of card games, interactive bulletin board activities, a drawing wall, a Nintendo Switch, a puzzle board, and a well-stocked fuse bead center. 

Finally, there are both recurring programs such as a weekly video game night, a monthly silent book club, and a monthly Teen Advisory Group, as well as numerous individual events such as board game and movie nights, a puzzle competition, and even a pirate themed escape room.   

Many of the materials and programs in the space are a result of input from the Teen Advisory Group (TAG), a group of 6th-12th graders who volunteer their time throughout the year to discuss programming ideas, plan events, curate materials…and eat pizza! We are currently looking for new members, so if you have a 6th-12th grader looking to build leadership skills and help make the Teen Space the best it can be, we’d love to meet them.  You can find more information about joining TAG at www.AmesPL.org/get-involved/teen-advisory-group.

The Teen Space is open 4-8pm Monday-Thursday, 4-6pm Friday, 1-6pm Saturday, and 1-5pm Sunday.