Although technological services and gaming software were limited in recent past, fundraisers held by cooperating teen Poetry Slams and other library events make providing safe-havens for area teens possible.
Kevin Youngblood (left) and Skyler Tilley (right) found friendship through Benson Branch’s Teen Spot offered every-day after school. “There are usually more people here and we all get along well. It’s nice when it’s just us though so we don’t have to switch as much,” laughs Youngblood.
With the help of private donors and fundraisers, after-school snacks for teens who utilize Benson Branch teen services are provided every day Tuesday through Friday and for special Saturday events.
Manga Championships, Poetry Slams, video-gaming tournaments, and Card Fight are just some of the many after-school activities added in the past few years.
Skyler Tilley (left) and Kevin Youngblood (right) play as a team in multiple video games almost every day after school lets out at Benson High. “It relaxes me,” says Tilley.
Kevin Youngblood (left) and Skyler Tilley (right) found friendship through Benson Branch’s Teen Spot offered every-day after school. “There are usually more people here and we all get along well. It’s nice when it’s just us though so we don’t have to switch as much,” laughs Youngblood.
Benson Branch also offers a wide variety of graphic novels, Manga magazines, and card games to play in during Teen Space.
Being a “nerd” is no longer shameful thing, with the gaming culture for teens and adults gaining momentum in the past few years. Benson Branch library is a safe place for teens to enjoy their favorite hobbies and be themselves.
Local artist and business owner Alex Roskelley is responsible for multiple murals around Maple Street/Benson business district. The mural pictured on Beercade’s east wall was an initial inspiration for including more gaming options at Benson Branch library for teens.
Benson area teens gather weekly to play their best hand at ‘Card Fight”, offered through the teen services recently added at Benson Branch Library. Both teen Services director Lisa Sagherian and the library’s general manager, Karen Pietsch work together to provide the Benson community with another safe space for teens to go after-school through including a room in the library’s branch designated for teens only: Teen Space.
Benson Branch teen services offer a wide-variety of events that can be found on the website’s calendar linked below. Although some weeks are more crowded than others, the library has seen many friendships form by the addition of the teens services program.
Benson Branch library is hosting their annual Teen Zombie lock-in the following week on October 27th from 6 to 9 p.m. Although participation through Card Fight and other activities offered to teens can change on a weekly basis, it has remained a constant that teens can count on to enjoy a safe, relaxing gaming atmosphere and build friendships that otherwise might never had happened.
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Jesi Baltezor UNO Blog 