Resources
The resources on this page include programs from our library partners that are adaptable to other communities, and a list of indie artists, professionals, and nonprofit groups that have been vetted and have a track record of working with teens in New England libraries.
These resources represent the tip of the iceberg. Contact us for more—or let us know if you’d like to recommend an artist, writer, professional, or nonprofit group with a program that would be a good fit for your teen library community.
From our library partners
REAL TALK
From Waltham Public Library: a youth-led forum for discussing issues important to teens. Teen Department Head, Luke Kirkland, and his teen leaders have created a toolkit for other librarians to co-design their own Real Talk clubs. The 2x monthly sessions include interactive games, lively discussion, and food. They kick off with topics that encourage social-emotional learning, such as Trust, Personality, Family, Friends, and Relationships, then radiate out to social justice issues affecting the larger community. Visit realtalkteens.org to view a sample curriculum.
For Freedoms Lawn Signs
Every year, the nonprofit artist collective For Freedoms invites communities across the country to take part in this project inspired by FDR’s 4 Universal Freedoms. Waltham librarian Luke Kirkland invites local teens to define what freedom means to them by responding to the prompts: Freedom of…, Freedom To…, Freedom From..., and Freedom For... Other LITT partners, including Randolph and Springfield have hosted For Freedoms installations and more libraries are always welcome to join. When the signs fill the front lawn in Waltham, the public takes notice! School Library Journal, Nov. 4, 2019
Digital Learning and Media Studio
Don’t let a small space deter you. Turner Free Library in Randolph created a music recording studio and audio-video editing station out of a library storage closet. The studio is used by patrons of all ages and overseen by teen interns and the Emerging Tech Librarian. Teens record and mix their own music, edit videos for school projects or film club, and more! TFL’s librarians modeled the studio on similar library spaces in Brooklyn, NY and Skokie, IL. Learn more.
Nonprofit & Other Groups
The Children’s Room grief support programs for children, teens, and families
Elevated Thought Lawrence. Art, creative writing, and other workshops addressing systemic injustice and community activism.
Families for Depression Awareness offering peer-to-peer interactive programs for teens and parents
Girls Leap a Dorchester-based nonprofit group focused on empowerment, safety, and self-defense for girls and non-binary youth. Workshops are led by college student mentors.
Main Idea a Worcester based arts nonprofit that partners with the Worcester Public Library.
Mass Poetry a Boston-based nonprofit that hosts the Write Here/Write Now/Speak Loud Teen Spoken Word Festival as well as poetry workshops for young people.
Raw Art Works youth arts nonprofit with teen street art crews, based in Lynn, MA
South Shore Health Babysitter Safety Training
Samaritans Suicide prevention workshops
TeamDig USA offering immersive chess programs for underserved public libraries in Connecticut, including free lessons with experts, scrimmages, and tournament play.
Trauma Sensitive Yoga/Trauma Center offering workshops and training for those hoping to integrate trauma informed teaching into their yoga and movement practices.
Indie Artists & Creators
A sample of some of the indie artists and creators who joined the 2020 and 2021 LITT-supported virtual fan convetnion, ACTIVATE, or who have brought their art to the Teen Rooms of our partner libraries.
Milena Braga and Myranda Victoria Peterson, a self-published indie fantasy author and author-illustrator, together they host an interactive “Worldbuilding 101” workshop for teens.
Eunice Belacy aka Silent E Boston-based poet and spoken-word artist, daughter of Haitian immigrant parents, hosting a 6-week Spoken Word workshop for Randolph Teens
Jennessa Burks Worcester-based artist, educator, and BLM activist.
Colectivo Morivivi Puerto Rican women arts collective. They worked with teens at Holyoke Public Library to create two bold murals on interior walls.
Comics in Color, Boston Several of their comic artists appeared at ACTIVATE, our summer fan con. The group’s library roots go deep: Comics in Color got its start at the Grove Hall Branch Library in Roxbury.
Cedric “Vise 1” Douglas Boston-based veteran
graffiti and street artist and educator.
Jamaal Eversley “The Eccentric Abstract Artist"“. He worked with teens to create a mural at Turner Free Library in Randolph.
Tyrone “Zerosnake” Motley Connecticut-based indie Manga artist and animator, whose work is rooted in Manga and African folktale.
Sneha Shrestha, aka IMAGINE street art inspired by her native Nepalese cutlure and Sanskrit writing.
Will Wiggins, III aka BLACK ONI Graphic designer, popular Twitch gamer/gaming designer, and illustrator.