MPL adds more teen programming options
July 19th, 2018


Teen programming - and the number of area youth taking advantage of these programs at the Marion Public Library - increased significantly in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

In FY17 the library offered 123 programs for teens; 1,320 teens attended those programs. In the fiscal year that just ended (FY18), the library offered 235 in-library teen programs and 28 teen outreach programs at local schools and youth organizations. More than 4,100 teens attended those programs. This is a 91 percent increase in on-site, teen-specific programming and a 212 percent year-over-year increase in participation.

"This was our first year with a full-time assistant and part-time specialist dedicated solely to teen services," Madeline Jarvis, adult and information services coordinator said. "With Rachel Pollari and Shanel Slater in those roles, we were able to provide more programs with a broader range of interesting topics and challenges."

Jarvis said library staff also created a Teen Life webpage with local and online resources relevant to teens. That site is available at: marionpubliclibrary.org/teenlife.

Since launching its Teen Volunteer Program in March, 12 teens have volunteered in the library and have contributed almost 100 hours of work. Anyone interested in volunteering through this program should contact Sandy Ransier at: [email protected].

Anyone interested in attending teen programs at the Marion Public Library should go to: marionpubliclibrary.org. Upcoming library programming is updated regularly on the website and interested caregivers or teens can sign up for the library's digital newsletter.