The 101Space(s) at Pima County Public Library are in the spotlight this month. Pima County Public Library, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, has 26 libraries serving nearly one million people throughout Pima County. There are three 101Spaces. The largest space is located at the Joel D. Valdez Main library in downtown Tucson. This space opened in 2015. The second location in the north region of the county in Oro Valley opened in 2016. The third location is opening programmatically at Valencia Library and is located on the south side of Tucson. Each 101Space serves a unique community of teens with different interests.
101Space at Joel D. Valdez Main Library
Em Lane is the new 101Space supervisor at the Main Library. They are excited about working on Rising Voices Youth Summit. This summit, planned for spring, is a yearly summit for youth by youth. Initially conceived by the first group of youth that helped plan the 101Space, the summit brings together teens from across the community and focuses on issues of interest to youth. The summit opens with a keynote speaker followed by workshops.
Most of the teens who visit the 101Space at the main library attend nearby high schools and middle schools. The space is very busy after school and programs are offered every weekday afternoon. One of the most popular and long running programs in Dungeons and Dragons. The D&D group started after a request from a teen and was initially run by library staff. The group has been running continuously for three years. It is now being run by a youth employee who started off as a player, then started volunteering, and has recently been hired by the library.
Another very popular program at the main library is Adulting 101. This program offers weekly classes in all sorts of adult skills like doing laundry and mending clothes, basic cooking, job interviews and applications, communication skills and budgeting.
101Space at Oro Valley Library
The Oro Valley library has had a very active teen advisory team for many years. The TAB was integral to planning the 101Space at their library. They conducted an interest survey of youth on the north side and found the most teens were looking for help with college prep, test prep and other skills to help them succeed as adults. The library is bursting at the seams on Saturdays and Sundays with teens meeting together to work on group projects, doing homework and studying. In response to this need, the OV TAB have worked has started “Study Hall” on the weekends, a dedicated time for teens to study with all sorts of office supplies provided for students to use. In January, a series of college prep workshops will be offered to helps teens navigate the confusing and difficult decisions around college choice, career choice, college applications, and scholarships.
101Space at Valencia Library
The newest 101Space at Valencia Library serves youth on the South side of Tucson. This is one of the busiest libraries in Pima County and many teens hang out at the library daily. Ivonne, the new 101Space supervisor at Valencia, is excited about their new code club and is working on increasing the number of 101Space programs to teens and tweens at the library.