The same Compass Principle guiding the children’s library also guides the Boston Public Library to offer a slate of services that provide academic support and intellectual growth for teens. The goal is to create a best-in-class library for teens to advance these efforts.

The teen room could remain where it currently is on the mezzanine level of the Johnson Building. The space could be redesigned to allow for collaborative work, enhanced and expanded technology, a refreshed collection, and updated furnishings. In addition, the current Mezzanine Conference Room could be renovated to become the teen programming room. A review of current teen programs would inform the needs of this space which could include new furniture, carpeting, paint, and a media creation booth.

A successful teen area would include:

• Book collections that respond to the educational and entertainment needs of Boston’s teens
• Comfortable, bright, furniture for lounging and studying
• Enhanced technology offerings
• Quiet study rooms for young people to gather in small groups to do homework or work on projects
• Staff work space in the public area as well as an office space
• Static and/or electronic display boards
• Wayfinding and signage
• Other services identified by teens.

The Boston Public Library fosters a love of reading and skills in critical and creative thinking among children and teens – from early literacy through mature readership – by offering a slate of services that provide academic support and intellectual growth. This is the Children and Teens BPL Compass Principle. The BPL’s goal is to create a new and larger best-in-class library for children to advance these efforts.

The new children’s library would serve the youth of Boston from birth through elementary school. Dedicated spaces for babies, toddlers, and schoolage kids would ensure that each age group is given the collections they need, technologies to help prepare them for our ever!changing environment, and programming that is responsive to their academic and entertainment needs. The proposed new children’s library would be located on the street level of the Johnson Building.

A successful children’s library would include:

• Book collections for all ages, from board books for our youngest readers to chapter books, nonfiction and summer reading titles for school-aged kids
• An early literacy nook with learning manipulative toys to help with infant and toddler brain development
• Program space for story time, sing-alongs, puppet shows, and more
• Quiet study space for homework and reading
• Collaborative work spaces for kids to explore reading, learning, and gathering with family and friends
• Innovative technology and flexible space to allow for the next generation of technology
• Computers to help students prepare for the digital world
• Family restrooms with infant changing tables
• Staff work space in the public area as well as an office
• Comfortable furniture for children and their caregivers
• Stroller parking
• Static and/or electronic display boards
• Wayfinding and signage
• Bright, cheery, welcoming design that stimulates creativity.