Project Gallery
We support library spaces where teens—including those who may feel marginalized in other settings— are welcome, included, and empowered—and programs that engage them in community activism, art, writing, media and digital literacy, social-emotional wellness, job skill building, cooperative gaming, and so much more! Scroll through the images in the gallery, then contact us for more information.
A free, virtual fan convention for teens with an activist twist! ACTIVATE 2021 featured panels and workshops with creators, artists, and activists whose work is disrupting the status quo. The vision of Randolph Librarian Melissa Bennett, ACTIVATE was a team effort: produced by LITT and YA librarians across Massachusetts.
ACTIVATE 2020 gave teens something to look forward to during a summer when libraries were closed due to Covid-19 and BLM protests were breaking out across the country. LITT joined YA librarians in realizing a new kind of fan con. Teens connected around the fandoms they love, while engaging with diverse creators.
An evening session of REAL TALK, a youth-led forum for addressing issues important to teens. This innovative program is led by Waltham Public Library's Luke Kirkland and his teen advisors: LITT pitches in with food, outside facilitators to cover tough topics, stipends for teen leaders, and transportation for field trips.
An annual REAL TALK Waltham event: The For Freedoms lawn sign installation takes place every year in election season. Teens can't vote yet, but they can make their opinions known on the issues they care about.
Waltham teens install the For Freedoms lawn signs in front of the library. LITT supplies the signs for Waltham and other partner libraries that take part.
A custodial closet in the teen room of Turner Free Library in Randolph is transformed into a community digital media learning lab! Teens record music, edit videos, and work on school projects. The media studio brings generations of library patrons together when teens teach older adults to use the gear. Librarian Liz LaRosee had the vision; LITT helped her realize it.
Recording music and laying down beats is one of the most popular ways to spend time at Turner Free Library's community digital media learning lab.
Applying the final touches to "Superheroes" a LITT-supported mural in Turner Free Library's teen room, designed by Randolph artist, Jamaal Eversley, in collaboration with teens. LITT support enables libraries to keep it local by contracting with indie artists, creators, and businesses.
At this LITT-supported Teen Teach Teens craft session in Randolph, a local teen taught her peers to make jazzy beaded phone covers.
Patrons can't miss this bold mural inside the Holyoke Public Library. Designed by the Puerto Rican women artists of Colectivo Morivivi with input from teen girls in the community who received stipends for their painting and design work over the summer.
Work-in-progress. A second mural at the Holyoke Public Library.
Worcester Public Library's Out-of-the-Box ART-IVISM project. Conceived of by librarian Erin O'Neal during the pandemic, she distributed boxes with art supplies and books, then invited teens to a virtual Q&A with dynamic local artists and changemakers. In year 2, ART-IVISM is in person and the teens artwork from Round 1 is displayed on the walls of a new teen room!
Worcester-based artist and BLM activist, Jennessa Burks, gives a compelling virtual presentation to local teens. Part of the LITT-sponsored ARTIVISM project.
Another fantastic Artivism Q&A session with Worcester-based, designer and LGBTQ+ activist, Joshua Croke, director of the nonprofit Love Your Labels.
A field trip to an urban farm during a session of Springfield City Library's summer Teens in Civics Initiative. Led by librarian Alexandra Remy with activities and games inspired by the YA book "How I Resist" by Maureen Johnson. LITT support included stipends, lunches and snacks, books, journals, T-shirts, and more!
A LITT grant supported the build-out of a newly launched Teen Corner at the The Lawrence Public Library. New benches, tables, bookcases, and equipment made the space an appealing place to hang out and connect. The grant also included food and snacks since many Lawrence teens are food insecure at home, plus stipends for teen leaders.
Hanging out over pizza in the new, welcoming Teen Corner at Lawrence Public Library.
A popular Babysitter Safety Training class at Turner Free Library. A LITT grant covers the fees so teens can join for free and earn their babysitting certificates. Many are already caring for younger siblings at home while parents work!
LITT-sponsored Self-Care Kits for Randolph teens who needed a boost during tough times. Randolph was hit hard by Covid. With soothing goodies, books, and a list of resources, the kits reminded teens that librarian Melissa Bennett and staff were there for them.
Renovations to the Peabody Institute Library teen room make it a more welcoming space! A LITT grant also covered food for teen meet-ups and the fees for Teen Librarian, Joanna Correa, to attend a workshop on teaching trauma-sensitive yoga to her teen constituents.
In fall 2021, LITT partnered with the Bridgeport Public Library's North Branch in Connecticut to host a fall chess program in collaboration with the non-profit Team DIG USA. This popular program includes free classes, scrimmages, and tournament play. And, yes, there are T-shirts!
Even at the height of the pandemic, Lawrence Public Library Director, Jess VIlas Novas found a way to make her constituents smile! With LITT support, she distributed art kits and journals to local families as they stood in line for school lunch.