By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter

“My objectives are to provide teens with a place where they can hang out, learn, create, be inspired and broaden their horizons,” said Jessica Bacon, teen librarian at the Marlborough Public Library. “We also give them opportunities to grow and do more than they ever expected they could.”
Photo/submitted
Marlborough – Students in grades 6 to 12 are cordially invited to stop in to visit the Marlborough Public Library Teen Room that officially opened in July. Stop by to use the 60-inch television, Wii U, relax on the couch or check out a laptop. If you are lucky you may win a prize being given away on special scratch tickets.
The teen room became a possibility through a $5,000 donation received from the Digital Federal Credit Union. As they did not specify any particular use for the funds, Library Director Margaret Cardello and the Board of Trustees voted to use the gift toward the new space for the city's teenagers.
“Our new teen room provides another way to keep teens connected to the library, to reading and all the possible benefits that come from learning. We want to provide them with a safe place to learn new things and be inspired,” Cardello said.
Over 100 Marlborough teens participated in a survey to see what they would like in the room. ??In April, four groups met with the guidance of Teen Librarian Jessica Bacon, and created designs for the new space, one of which chosen and the project began. In mid-May volunteers painted the walls and shelves, with local teen Eric Nicholls leading the effort as his Eagle Scout service project. He engaged volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 51 and youths from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Among the many projects and classes being offered are photography, drawing, music, video games, forensics, jewelry and fashion, and 3D printing.
“We just completed a no-sew blanket project where 19 teens came to the library for two-and-a-half hours to make no-sew blankets for local foster children. Every year in the spring we run a writing competition where teens submit their stories and poetry and winners read their work to an audience and win cash prizes,” Bacon said.
Of mutual benefit to the young patrons and the library staff is the full-year Volunteer Program.? The only requirements are to be organized, neat and creative, according to Bacon, who added that the existent summer program has been expanded to run year-round due to increased interest.
“Between schools and organizations requiring volunteer service hours and teens interested in getting work experience, we are always getting requests for volunteer opportunities,” she said. “We have a training program for each position. Shelf managers, who are in charge of a specific section of the library, are trained to make sure everything is shelved correctly and neatly.”
Other volunteer positions include event planners, window artists, photographers and the Teen Room Crew that takes on projects “from helping us change call numbers on books to updating our laptops,” Bacon said.
To sign up as a volunteer or to obtain additional information, contact Bacon at 508-624-6903 or [email protected].