Attention teens in Northeast Philly!  It's time to rediscover the Northeast Regional Library!

The Everything Teen Center is a brand new section of the library just for teens, ages 12 to 19. Located on the second floor, the ETC is a cozy spot to chat with friends, read, study, check out titles from our Young Adult collection, or attend a special event. The new space also features some of the best seating in the building with brand new couches, tables, and phone-charging stations.

The Everything Teen Center was designed by Librarian Lisa Carpenter, along with help from Library Supervisor Vincent Singleton and Regional Librarian Peter Lehu. It was funded in part by the Free Library's Strategic Initiatives Department and revenue from Northeast Regional Library's Passport Office.

Similar to the opening of the Field Teen Center at Parkway Central Library in 2019, the ETC is a destination for teens who live in the northeast neighborhoods of Philadelphia. While smaller in size, the ETC has the same vibe: seating is for teens only, teens are encouraged to be themselves in the space, and we want teens to define how the space is used. A panel of teens advised on the development of the new space, including voting for the name and working with acclaimed Philly-based street artist, Amberella, on the adorning artwork on display. Ambrella worked with a group of teens from the Mural Arts' Porch Light program to design the heart logos that read "You Are Loved" and "Be You" in English and Arabic.  

The Everything Teen Center will be a venue for teen events, while larger events will take place in the library's large meeting room. Upcoming events include a book discussion as part of this year's One Book, One Philadelphia programming and a fiber arts workshop. We plan to feature more events like our opening ceremony last week which featured music, raffles, pizza, and karaoke. Going forward, librarians and teens will work together to make the ETC a launchpad for the community and fun new experiences in our part of the city!