Central Library: Teen Central

Located on the second floor of the Boylston Street Building at the Boston Public Library's Copley Square location, Teen Central is the premier free space for teens in grades 6 through 12 to hang out, discover, and have fun. On any given day, some teens may come to Teen Central to socialize, game, read, study, and create. Read on to learn about the wealth of resources, events, and services for you to explore and enjoy on your next visit to Teen Central. (And remember, everything we offer at the Boston Public Library is free to all!)

Programs

Teen Central hosts programs including board gaming and video gaming sessions, tech and maker programs, open mics and karaoke nights, and more. Check our events page to see what’s happening in the space for the next month, or drop by Teen Central to pick up a physical calendar.

Teen Collections

Teen Central has a large and diverse collection of books, including:

• Fiction
• Mystery
• Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Nonfiction
• Graphic Novel
• Manga

Our books can be found and placed on hold using our catalog.

You’ll need a library card to borrow items from our collection. Don’t have one? No problem – just stop by Teen Central and we’ll be happy to make one for you, as long as you’re a teen who lives in the state of Massachusetts.

A library card gives you access not just to our teen books, but also to our adult collection and all of our online resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, comics & manga, streaming media, and more. Library cardholders can also make Shelf Service requests for personalized book recommendations. Come get your library card and discover your next great read today!

Seating

Our seating area with comfortable booths, couches, armchairs, and tables provides a communal space where teens can relax and socialize, individually or in groups. Food and drink are allowed in Teen Central outside of school hours, so the seating area is a great place to enjoy a snack or meal after school or on the weekends. Teens are also welcome to use our seating area for board gaming, working on arts and crafts, studying and doing homework, or just hanging out.

The Lab

The Lab is a digital makerspace that offers teens a variety of tools for learning, creating, and developing their own media. Teen Central provides the software, hardware, supplies, and expertise that teens need to make their ideas a reality!

We offer programs and workshops on different topics, taught by library staff, tech professionals, and local organizations. A full list of upcoming programs in the Teen Central space, including technology workshops, can be found by visiting our events page. We also host weekly Guided Lab sessions, which allow teens to learn about and use the Lab’s resources with one-on-one support from library staff.

Technology in the lab includes:

• High-powered Alienware and iMac computers loaded with creative software for editing images, audio, & video, designing 3D prints, writing code, and more
• Audio recording equipment including keyboards and microphones
• Two Cricut Maker machines for designing and printing custom vinyl stickers and iron-on decals for t-shirts and tote bags
• Two heavy-duty Singer sewing machines
• Two MakerBot 3D printers
• ...and more!

Teen Central provides all supplies needed for crafts in the lab. Stop in today and discover your new favorite hobby!

The Gaming Lounge

The Gaming Lounge is our media space dedicated to video games. Two gaming stations are available, each with comfortable plush seating, an 84” flat screen TV, and a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch console fully loaded with games. Teens can reserve a station, solo or with a group, for one hour of play per day. Come to Teen Central and challenge your friends to a Mario Kart Grand Prix, bust a move in Just Dance, or settle your arguments on the court in NBA 2K!

Please note that the Gaming Lounge is only for teens, and that our video games are for in-library use only. We do not have video games that can be borrowed from the library and played at home.

Computers

Teen Central has four desktop computers with internet access and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Teen Central also offers fifteen Chromebooks, as well as tech peripherals like Chromebook chargers, phone chargers, and headphones, for teens to use in the library.

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens in Teen Central

Teen Central offers volunteer opportunities for teens (grades 9-12) during both the fall semester (September to December) and the spring semester (January to June). Teen volunteers work in Teen Central after school for 2-4 hours per week.

Volunteering is a great way to learn valuable job skills, get involved behind the scenes at the library, and earn volunteer hours toward requirements for school or other programs. Learn more about the program and how to apply at our Teen Volunteer Program page. We encourage teens to apply before the beginning of the semester in which they want to volunteer.