Teen Spaces in the BPL
Teens are welcome at all Boston Public Library locations, and especially at the six branches with specific focus on teen programming and offerings: Teen Central at the Central Library at Copley Square, East Boston, Grove Hall, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury.
At the Central Library at Copley Square
Teen Librarians
- Chris Jacobs, Teen Services Team Leader
- Bri Skywall, Teen Technology Coordinator
- Michelle Pulido, Teen Services Library Assistant
Hours of operation
- Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Programs
Teen Central hosts a range of in-person and virtual programming that makes use of its varied resources. The full list of Teen Central programs: bit.ly/teencentralprograms.
Teen Volunteer Program
Teen Central supports the Teen Volunteer Program alongside select branch locations.
Teen Collection
The Teen Central space currently hosts the BPL’s largest collection of teen fiction with hundreds of selections and genres including mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Our massive collection of Manga and Teen Graphic Novels is located on the shelves just outside of Teen Central. The teen nonfiction collection is interfiled with adult nonfiction.
Class Visits
Please see this link with updated information on class visits.
Technology
Teen Central boasts an abundance of tech resources for teens, including but not limited to:
- 20 Chromebooks for personal use
- 4 public computers for personal use
- 4 high-performance Makerspace Lab Alienware computers for structured gaming and the full Adobe Creative Cloud software suite
- 5 high-performance Macintosh computers outfitted with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro
- A high-performance streaming setup including boom mic, high-quality streaming camera, and customizable StreamDeck
- 2 Makerbot 3D printers
- A Cricut machine
- A makeshift audio booth with studio-quality mic midi keyboards and tools
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Programs
The teen area has board games, card games and craft supplies for drop-in use. Programs for teens such as SAT workshops, gaming sessions, English conversation, and book clubs are also offered. See a current list of upcoming events.
Teen Volunteer Program
The Teen Volunteer Program is on hiatus at the East Boston Branch, please check back in the summer.
Class Visits
To schedule in person or online visits, please contact Teen Librarian Dani at dsolano@bpl.org at least two weeks prior to your intended date of visit to discuss BPL resources. Visits may be held at the school, library, or virtually.
Teen Collections
Teen fiction, teen nonfiction (Library of Congress Classification), shonen manga, shojo manga, graphic novels, and a selection of magazines. Self-guided therapy cards, My Therapy Cards Teen Edition created by Dr. Ebony are also available for check out.
Technology
- 13 Teen use desktop computers running on Windows
- 9 public use Windows laptops and 3 public use Mac laptops are available at the front desk for use in the library
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Thursdays: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Programs
Grove Hall hosts gaming, paint nights and other art programming as well as a chess club, book club, creative writing workshops, and more. Check our calendar to find out what’s happening.
Teen Volunteer Program
Two teens on a semester-by-semester basis. Please contact Teen Librarian Celia for more information on Grove Hall’s Teen Volunteer Program.
Class Visits
To arrange group or class visits please contact Teen Librarian Celia at ccontelmo@bpl.org.
Teen Collections
The teen collection at Grove Hall consists largely of graphic novels, manga, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as books in Spanish.
Technology
Grove Hall has 8 desktop computers in the teen area as well as laptops that can be used in the building.
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Programs
The Hyde Park Teen Room hosts a Video Gaming Club on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm - 5:45 pm and an Anime Club Thursdays from 3:00 pm - 5:45 pm. The full list of programs may be viewed here.
Class Visits
To arrange group or class visits please contact jkenney@bpl.org two weeks before.
Teen Collections
Fiction, manga, and comics collection. Teen nonfiction is interfiled in the adult nonfiction area.
Technology
6 PC workstations
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
- Tuesday: 12:00 pm - 7:45 pm
- Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00 am - 5:45 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 4:45 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:45 pm
Programs
Mattapan hosts a variety of monthly and seasonally themed programs. Suggestions are always welcome. View the full list of events at this branch.
Teen Volunteer Program
One teen on a semester-by-semester basis.
Class Visits
For group or class visits, please contact Teen Librarian Lauren Duke at lduke@bpl.org at least 2 weeks prior to desired date.
Teen Collections
Fiction, nonfiction, manga, graphic novels and a small selection of magazines.
Technology
12 desktop computers
Teen Librarian
VACANT
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Programs
Chess Night, Switch Game Days, and online D&D, with more to come. View a full list of events at this branch vents listed here.
Teen Volunteer Program
Two teens on a semester-by-semester basis.
Class Visits
To schedule in person or online visits, please contact Teen Librarian at least two weeks prior to your intended date of visit to discuss BPL resources.
Teen Collections
An extensive collection of teen fiction and graphic novels, with a focus on science fiction, manga, and superhero comics.
Technology
We offer 15 desktop computers 12 Chromebooks, a Nintendo Switch, and outlets in every table for charging your devices!
