Teen Spaces in the BPL
Teens are always welcomed and served at all Boston Public Library locations. Eight library locations are specifically served by Teen Librarians: the Central Library at Copley Square, Roxbury, East Boston, Grove Hall, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and West Roxbury.
Teen Space: Teen Central
Teen Librarians
- Chris Jacobs, Teen Services Team Leader
- Bri Skywall, Teen Technology Specialist
- Dani Solano Hernandez, Teen Librarian
- Michelle Pulido, Teen Services Library Assistant
Hours of operation
- Monday and Tuesday: 11:30 am – 6 pm
- Wednesday and Thursday: 11:30 am - 8 pm
- Friday: 11:30 am - 5 pm
- Saturday: 11:30 am - 5 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Programs
Teen Central hosts a range of in-person and virtual programming that makes use of its varied resources. Most notably are our recurring weekly gaming livestreams on our systemwide Teen Services Twitch channel. A full list of programs that may be attended in the Teen Central space can be found by visiting 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 largest collection of Young Adult Fiction with hundreds of selections and genres including Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Romance. Just outside of Teen Central are our extensive collections of Manga and Teen Graphic Novels—collections that got too large to keep within the Teen Central space itself!
Technology (Computers and/or Laptops)
Teen Central has an abundance of technological resources available to all teens who check in, 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 Maker machine
- A makeshift audio booth with studio-quality mic and DAC, as well as an abundance of midi keyboards and tools
Teen Space: East Boston
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Program offerings vary. East Boston has been hosting weekly Shut Up & Write! event for teens, as well as monthly divination or tarot programs. Board games, card games, and individual or small group origami instruction are also available upon request. Events listed here.
Teen Volunteer Program
Two teens on a semester-by-semester basis.
Class Visits
Please contact Paul two weeks before a visit to schedule in person or telepresence visits to discuss BPL resources and research techniques. Can accommodate classes of up to 20 students at a time visiting the library.
Teen Collections
Fiction, nonfiction, manga and graphic novels, small selection of magazines.
Technology (Computers and/or Laptops)
- Windows and Mac laptops available for checkout/use inside space
- 13 computers designated for teen use
Teen Space: Grove Hall
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursdays: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Fridays: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Grove Hall hosts gaming, paint nights and other art programming, chess club, book club, creative writing workshops, and more. Check our calendar for 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
For group or class visits please contact Teen Librarian Celia.
Teen Collections
The teen collection at Grove Hall consists largely of graphic novels, manga, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as books in Spanish and other languages.
Technology (Computers and/or Laptops)
Grove Hall has 8 desktop computers in the teen area as well as laptops that can be used in the building.
Teen Space: Hyde Park
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Teen Room hosts Video Gaming Club Tuesdays 3 pm - 5:45 pm and Anime Club Thursdays 3 pm - 5:45 pm. Programs listed here.
Class Visits
Please contact John two weeks before a visit to schedule in person to discuss BPL resources and research techniques.
Teen Collections
Features a large manga and comics collection and a leading teen fiction / nonfiction collection is interfiled in adult nonfiction.
Technology
6 PC workstations
Teen Space: Jamaica Plain
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
Jamaica Plain's Teen Space is teens-only (grades 6 through 12) from 2 pm to close every weekday.
- Monday to Wednesday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Check our calendar for what’s happening for teens at the Jamaica Plain Branch.
Teen Volunteer Program
Jamaica Plain is host to a cohort of BPL Teen Volunteers! The Teen Volunteer Program is designed for teens in grades 9-12 that may need community service hours or are interested for the sake of volunteering. The program is run during the semester; fall (September-December) spring (January-May), and summer (July-August). Interviews for the program take place approximately one month before each semester start time. For more information on the program and how to apply please visit our Teen Volunteer Program page or contact Maty Cropley.
Class Visits
It is recommended to contact the branch teen librarian at least two weeks in advance for a class visit. Please contact Maty Cropley to discuss your class's needs and to schedule a visit at the Jamaica Plain branch. Be sure to mention if your students need to update or apply for new library cards prior to their visit.
Teen Collections
Jamaica Plain's Teen Space is home to the branch's teen collections of manga, graphic novels, fiction, and non-fiction books. Come upstairs to the Teen Space (upstairs on the mezzanine level, press 'M' in the elevator) to browse new and classic teen manga and graphic novels, and teen fiction. Also, check out the Look Back Library skateboard magazine archive, which holds a curated collection of skateboard magazines from the 1980s to today.
Technology
The Jamaica Plain Teen Space (upstairs on the mezzanine level) has 5 desktop computers for exclusive use by teens. The branch also has several laptops that may be checked out for in-library use at the Circulation Desk and a full-size Xerox printer/scanner.
Teen Space: Roxbury
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Tuesday-Thursday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Chess Night, Switch Game Days, and online D&D, with more to come. Librarian Stephen is always happy to listen to teens' ideas for fun things to do in the library space. Events listed here.
Teen Volunteer Program
Two teens on a semester-by-semester basis.
Class Visits
Please contact Librarian Stephen two weeks before a visit to schedule in person or telepresence visits to discuss BPL resources and research techniques. Can accommodate classes of up to 20 students at a time visiting the library.
Teen Collections
An extensive collection of teen fiction and graphic novels, with a focus on science fiction, manga, and superhero comics.
Technology
15 desktop computers and 12 Chromebooks for use by teen patrons, a Nintendo Switch, and outlets in every table for charging your device!
Teen Space: West Roxbury
Teen Librarian
Hours of Operation
West Roxbury's Teen Space is teens-only (grades 6 through 12) from 2 pm to close every weekday.
- Monday: 12 pm - 8 pm
- Tuesday through Thursday: 10 am - 6 pm
- Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
Programs
Check our calendar for what’s happening for teens at the West Roxbury Branch.
Class Visits
Please contact Maty Cropley at least two weeks before to discuss your class's needs and to schedule a visit at the West Roxbury branch. Be sure to mention if your students need to update or apply for new library cards prior to their visit.
Teen Collections
West Roxbury's Teen Space is home to the branch's teen collections of manga, graphic novels, fiction, and non-fiction books. Come upstairs to the Teen Space (upstairs!) to browse new and classic teen manga and graphic novels, and teen fiction.
Technology
The West Roxbury Teen Space has 4 desktop computers for exclusive use by teens. The branch also has several laptops that may be checked out for in-library use at the Circulation Desk and a full-size Xerox printer/scanner.
