by Cassie Romero
You may have heard the phrase “third space” used regarding libraries. The idea was first introduced by Ray Oldenburg, a sociologist who wrote the book The Great Good Place in 1989. The idea of a third space is to be a location where people of all ages can interact or spend time alone while in the presence of others. In a time where teens are spending more time connected to devices, third spaces like the library are essential spaces for them to hang out freely without the need for screens.
In their switch from childhood to teenage years, many people experience an increase in their freedom to go places on their own or with a group of friends, and create their own spaces that are unique to them. Libraries offer a great opportunity for teens to have that unique space, with spaces dedicated solely to them or programs that are specifically designed with teens in mind. With our main Gettysburg branch in the process of planning its new building, I was very excited to promote the focus group set up earlier this year for teens to gather their thoughts on what they would like to see in a new teen area.
As the Teen Services Specialist at Trone Memorial Library in East Berlin, I spend much of my time looking for ways to create a welcoming environment for teens within my teen area. Much of my inspiration for decor in the teen area comes from the teens themselves. I find myself asking them during programs or when I assist them in finding a new book, the types of comfort they would appreciate in the teen section. Many enjoy the opportunity to lounge on one of our comfy couches to read the book they just checked out, or play a game of chess with another teen in the section.
I often tell my coworkers the toughest part of my job is forming connections with teens to continue to provide that safe third space. I find that one of the most important parts of the library being a third space is for either myself or one of my coworkers to be seen as a trusted adult to talk to should they need. I always walk away feeling victorious whenever a shy teen gives me a smile or tells me how much they enjoy my programming. One of my best memories was when I managed to get two rather stoic teen sisters to have a full conversation. They even laughed at one of my rather lame jokes. I was as elated as Sisyphus the first time he pushed that boulder completely to the top of the hill, and much like the mythological Sisyphus, I am always working an uphill battle to continue to keep the library as a safe third space for teens.
In these crucial years from childhood into young adulthood, it is heartwarming to see teens of varying ages still come into the library with that same excitement of finding a new good read hidden amongst the stacks. It is even more joyous to know that they still find time to visit the library for programs amidst their jam-packed schedules with school and extracurricular activities; to know they have a place to go and just be teens, to be their third space.
Cassie Romero is Teen Services Specialist at the Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin.