All We Have to Give 2/4: Community

Libraries build community. I know, not exactly an original thought, but community is another thing that libraries have to offer teens. If play is a child’s work then it’s not that big of a leap to say that socializing is a teen’s. Providing opportunities for positive socialization goes a long way to providing for teens’ developmental needs.

Reading is generally a solitary activity, but libraries create a community of readers with programs like book discussion groups, Libraries all over the country are creating opportunities for teens get together over knitting, creative writing, anime, gaming, and anything else that interests them.

Libraries are building communities for teens virtually as well. Perhaps the best example of this is My Own Café, but it’s happening on MySpace, in SecondLife, and on library web sites like the Ann Arbor District Library .

What opportunities will you have this school year to build community?