DEC. 16, 2010 -- The Florissant Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library unveiled a new teen center today. The "Teen Alley" was made possible by funding from the St. Louis County Library Foundation. The Foundation's Starcatcher's gala, held in September 2010, raised several thousand dollars for the new center.

The new teen center is one of five that the Library Foundation plans to fund in 2010-2011. In addition to Florissant Valley, teen centers are planned at the following branches: Bridgeton Trails, Grand Glaize, Samuel C. Sachs and Oak Bend.

The Florissant Valley Teen Advisory Group helped choose the furniture and color palette for the new space. The Teen Alley features an enhanced collection of teen favorites including manga, graphic novels, popular Young Adult series, and magazines. Three computers are available exclusively for teens, there is also gaming equipment for use during special events such as video game nights, and plenty of comfy seating, including beanbag chairs and sectional furniture that can be broken apart and rearranged as needed.

Florissant Valley Youth Specialist Jennifer Richardson is planning to revamp teen programming at the branch to include more interactive media such podcasting and video editing workshops. Teens will have access to laptops, Flip cameras, and other high tech gadgets. Additional programming for the center will include online comic drawing demonstrations, improv theater, and recycled craft projects.

More on Teen Centers in The Dirt.

Ribbon Cutting left to right: Florissant Valley Branch Manager Laura Kasak, 2011 Gala co-chair Jim Scheer, Library Board President Lynn Beckwith Jr, Foundation Board President Carla Haack, Library Director Charles Pace; 2011 Gala co-chair Gary Mindel.

Photos by Dave Moore.

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