feature: Teenagers welcome
4 January 2008
Haringey libraries are determined to show they have something for everyone, whatever their age.
“And that definitely includes teenagers,” says Cllr Dhiren Basu, Haringey’s cabinet member for leisure, culture and lifelong learning, who oversees the library service.
Making the library a place to do that all-important homework is the first step. All libraries now have computers with internet access, plus free wi-fi if you have your own laptop, and expert staff to help with research.
There are special homework clubs as well at Hornsey, Wood Green central and Marcus Garvey libraries.
And increasingly libraries are setting up teen areas, like the popular teen library at Wood Green run by award-winning librarian Bernadette Brewster (see box), and running a whole range of activities, from IT sessions to book clubs and writing workshops.
A new teen area is also planned for Tottenham’s Coombes Croft library after the library won a £1 million boost from the Big Lottery fund to improve its facilities.
“In Haringey libraries it’s teenagers welcome,” says Cllr Basu. “Our libraries are for everyone, whatever their age.”
For details of activities for teenagers at Haringey libraries, drop into your local branch or give them a call. See the Find a library page for a full list of libraries and contact details.
Top Ten librarian Bernadette
Haringey youth librarian Bernadette Brewster has been voted one of the top ten new librarians in the country in a national competition.
Bernadette joined Haringey in May 2006 and became youth librarian last year, setting up the popular teen library area at Wood Green Central Library.
Bernadette said: “Working with teenagers is great fun and rewarding. I understand the needs of teenagers and I’m certainly not a “shush-type” librarian! I am always accessible them, and will help them in any way I can. I enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference.
“As youth librarian I am also very aware that we need to adapt our libraries so that we do not alienate our young people and create a place that they enjoy and benefit from.
I have lots of new ideas and plans for future events.”
In the summer Bernadette ran popular digital and science workshops, including visits from the Science Museum and creative writing sessions with author Cheryl
Moskowitz and poet Subadhassi, who commented: “Without doubt this is by far the best teenage library I have been to in London”.
Bernadette runs evening and weekend workshops on everything from creative writing to IT skills and Manga art, helping young participants to set up their own website.
She has also devised a programme for teenagers who had failed at secondary school, reintroducing them to libraries and reading, and runs a regular reading group for 11-16 year olds from the borough’s newer Eastern European communities.
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