New York Public Library
The New York Public Library’s Bloomingdale branch at 150 West 100th Street recently opened a dedicated teen center, which was funded primarily by the mayor.
The Bloomingdale Teen Center is the first of several to open throughout Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island as part of NYPL’s Teens 360º Initiative, “which offers a holistic support package for teens, including academic resources and mental health support.”
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The centers will focus on interest-driven learning that support digital literacy and technology skills, teen empowerment and civic engagement, the exploration of teen voice and social identity, mental wellness, and mentoring opportunities.
The Bloomingdale Teen Center offers free events and programs and comes with video and photography equipment, digital media tools, a 3D printer, gaming consoles, and software including Procreate and Stop Motion. There are also desktop and laptop computers as well as online resources to help kids with their homework and creative projects.
One upcoming event on May 8, Game On!, will offer “Board games, card games, maybe even Nintendo Switch. Try something new, play an old classic, or make your own. Whatever you feel like playing, we’ve got you covered!” This is being offered to teens in 7th – 12th grades.
After a grand opening event on March 29, youngsters were invited to enjoy button-making and silkscreen stations, a photobooth section complete with props, and they received their very own baby plant and a free book to take home.
Jonathan Blanc, NYPL
Learn more at nypl.org/spotlight/teen-center/bloomingdale.
