MARCH 28, 2011 -- An effort to make libraries more enticing to teenagers kicks off National Library Week in St. Louis with the unveiling of library space designed by teens. The new space – the Nancy Greenwood Teen Center – will be dedicated by the St. Louis County Library Foundation on Monday, April 11 at 10 a.m. at the Samuel C. Sachs Branch, 16400 Burkhardt Place in Chesterfield.

National Library Week is an annual celebration recognizing the important role libraries play within the community. The Nancy Greenwood Teen Center is the latest teen space sponsored by the foundation. The center will serve teens in the Rockwood and Parkway school districts by offering a safe space for teens to gather, socialize with their friends, study, and use library resources. The Sachs Branch Teen Advisory Group helped determine the layout of the space, and voted on furniture, wall colors, and other design elements. The interior features diner style booths, bar-height counters and seating, industrial inspired display furniture, a Wii gaming station with flat screen TV, and space for a teen art gallery.

The Nancy Greenwood Teen Center is the Library's seventh teen center. The space was designed by Mackey Mitchell Architects and is named after former Chesterfield mayor Nancy Greenwood.

The Foundation's teen center initiative was launched in 2009. At that time, only five teen centers existed within the 20-branch library system. In December 2010, the Foundation opened the Florissant Valley Teen Alley with funds raised at the first annual Starcatchers Gala. Additional teen centers are planned at Bridgeton Trails, Grand Glaize, and Oak Bend.

For more information about the Library Foundation's teen center initiative please call 314-994-3300 or visit the Foundation's Facebook page.

Add Comment