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Teens get a place of their own at Pearl Bailey Library

Oct. 9 marked the opening of the Chill Spot

Teens, library staff and guests celebrated the official unveiling of the Chill Spot on Oct. 9 with a ribbon-cutting, games and refreshments. The Chill Spot began operating in May at Pearl Bailey Library’s community meeting room. It is designed as a place for services specifically for youth ages 12 to 18 who regularly spend their afternoons in the library. Chill Spot programs have included computer classes, Wii games, Yu Gi Oh card club, crafts, food tasting and more.

Teens in the Southeast Community now have an area they can call their own at Pearl Bailey Library.

Teens, library staff and guests celebrated the official unveiling of the Chill Spot on Oct. 9 with a ribbon-cutting, games and refreshments. The Chill Spot began operating in May at Pearl Bailey Library’s community meeting room. It is designed as a place for services specifically for youth ages 12 to 18 who regularly spend their afternoons in the library. Chill Spot programs have included computer classes, Wii games, Yu Gi Oh card club, crafts, food tasting and more.

“The Chill Spot is important because it is a place just for them,” said Joy Jackson, youth outreach specialist for the Newport News Public Library System. “It makes them feel like an important part of the library and gives them a place to belong.”

The Chill Spot and programs are developed by Pearl Bailey Library staff, in association with members of the library’s Teen Advisory Committee. About 20 teens attend the monthly meetings of the Teen Advisory Committee, including five officers, to provide recommendations on policies, programs and materials for teens in the library.

While the Chill Spot began by opening every other Monday, it is now opening more often because of increased demand and usage. It is planned to be open year-round.

“The kids say, ‘I think we need to open the Chill Spot,’ when there are a lot of kids here,” said Demetria Tucker, Pearl Bailey Library’s Family and Youth Services librarian. “Some days we have 50 teens in the library,” said Sonya Scott, Pearl Bailey Library’s Youth Information Services specialist.

The grand opening was scheduled to coincide with the Library System’s celebration of Teen Read Week in October. Several members of the Pearl Bailey Library’s Teen Advisory Committee attended the Oct. 14 City Council meeting to accept the proclamation of Teen Read in Newport News from Mayor Joe Frank.

Committee President Chris Palmer and Vice President Trent Sims thanked the mayor, city manager, council members and managers and staff of the Newport News Public Library System for acknowledging their work as part of the committee. They especially thanked members of the Pearl Bailey Library’s youth services staff for taking the time and care in assisting them and listening to their input.

 “They are learning to make correct choices,” Tucker said of the teens. “We can see a difference in them. They’re taking on responsibility.”

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