You may have caught on to the fact that the past few topics for this column have highlighted areas of library service that are operating at capacity or beyond. The recent articles that focused on the library’s need for more space for children’s programs, community functions, books and other materials, experience-based learning resources and designated quiet and collaborative areas all point to the need for a transformation of the Sandpoint Branch Library. This article, however, is going to focus on a need that the community has expressed concern over for many years.

If you have lived in Bonner County for three days or three decades, as I have, you have likely been party to a conversation about the lack of teen and young adult spaces. The City’s Comprehensive Plan and Community Review also testify that people here feel that teens need wholesome places of their own. In a community where nearly half of the population is of retirement age, places for teens to congregate have found limited success over the years. And yet, there are teens – lots of them and they all have different needs and interests. Some want a nurturing environment, some want to be left alone. Some teens want to socialize with other teens without any adult interaction or supervision. Some teens want to be taught about things they aren’t learning at home or in school, while others want to set their own course of exploration.

Despite the prevalence of the idea that there is no place for teens to go, there are wholesome teen areas in Bonner County, although each one may serve a slightly different purpose. Many of our local youth participate in family activities, sports and after school jobs or volunteer work. For those teens who don’t want to have a schedule of activities outside of school, there are other options. A lot of young people spend their free time at the Sandpoint Teen Center where they can unwind with friends and participate in fun activities. They can learn about things that they may not be able to get from their formal education or from family. There are a lot of unique qualities about the Teen Center that those kids love and that keep them returning day after day. No doubt, the nurturing atmosphere and life skills classes offered there have helped these young teens to make wise decisions when they faced challenges as they got a little older.

The library is another place that attracts the tween and teen scene. Many youths enjoy coming to the library to hang out without any structured activity. Teen programs such as Make It and Teen Writers Club are available for those who want to participate. For those who just want to relax and socialize, the library allows them to do that. Parents feel good knowing that David, who is in charge of library security, is monitoring the lobby where the kids congregate. The kids like the fact that David gives them their space with the exception of the occasional “Hush.”

But there are two problems with this picture. First, the tweens and teens at the library really don’t have an appropriate place for socializing since the lobby noise easily infiltrates the library’s quiet area. Second, the Sandpoint Teen Center nor the Library tend to attract many older teens; the ones who are the topic of conversation among concerned citizens.

Recently, library staff conducted a number of teen focus groups to identify how we can best serve these younger teens as well as young adults. The data obtained is being used to implement design and programming features for the library’s remodel and building project. We found that many of the younger teens would be best served with social areas including music and gaming spots. Older teens feel that the library should provide mentors and resources to help them make decisions about post-secondary life. We learned a lot from those folks during the focus groups and we are so grateful for their participation. It helped us to see how we can better support those organizations that provide the resources these kids need and want. We also see exactly what we need to do to serve the tweens, teens and young adults to support their success and their ability to make healthy contributions to our community. We are grateful for the insights from these teens that show us how the library can play a role in launching young people into adulthood as domestic managers, undergraduates, apprentices, employees, entrepreneurs or whatever their next adventure proves to be.

People of all ages can discover so much at the Sandpoint and Clark Fork branch libraries, the Bookmobile and ebonnerlibrary.org with the following classes and events. All take place at the Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

• Saturday, Aug. 6 — Computer class on Internet basics, 8:15 a.m. sharp. Learn how to navigate the internet to find useful information. Preregistration required; call 263-6930.

• Saturday, Aug. 6 — Friends of the Library book sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sandpoint Friends of the Library invite you to their annual August bag sale with books for a buck a bag in the lobby. Also check out the garage on Cedar for genre books by the box for $1 to $3 per box.

• Tuesday, Aug. 9 — Mother Goose, canceled

• Tuesday, Aug. 9 — Preschool Storytime, canceled

• Tuesday, Aug. 9 — Make It at The Library, 2 p.m.; teens, kids and families create with robotics, Arduinos, needlework, Legos and other projects.

• Wednesday, Aug. 10 — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m., East Bonner County Library Clark Fork branch. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

• Wednesday, Aug. 10 — Crafternoon, splatter painting, 1:30 p.m. Kids and families bond with free family fun at the East Bonner Co. Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St.

• Wednesday, Aug. 10 — Make It at The Library (CF). East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St. Kids make a variety of age appropriate crafts from 2-3:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Aug. 11 — Toddler/ Preschool Dance Party, 10- a.m. Get active and show off your moves! Kids and families love our dance parties at the East Bonner Co. Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St.

• Thursday, Aug. 11 — Knot Tying for Kids, 1:30 p.m. Learn to tie a variety of styles of knots At the East Bonner Co. Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St.

• Saturday, Aug. 13 — Live Farm Animals for Kids, 2 p.m. Meet and learn about life on the farm at the East Bonner Co. Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St.

• Saturday, Aug. 13 — Computer class on the library district’s online educational resources, 8:15 a.m. sharp. Learn more about online resources available through the library’s website. Preregistration require; call 263-6930.

• StoryWalk — New StoryWalk locations and stories. Visit Farmin, Kootenai and Northside elementary schools and Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High. StoryWalk is a community partnership between the East Bonner County Library District and Kaniksu Land Trust.