Across the street from East Meck lies the Independence Regional Library, a place that provides students with the opportunity to engage with new people, try new skills and explore various cultures. The library releases a calendar monthly detailing what activities will happen throughout the upcoming month. These activities can range from arts and crafts to trivia.
A lot of students have parents who can’t pick them up immediately after school ends, so they use the library as a way to pass time. With the variety of programs the library has to offer, there’s something for every student. These programs are primarily run by Teen Librarian and Teen Associate Victoria Reeder and Mary Heisey. They are sometimes assisted by guests or “Volunteens.” Volunteens are students aged 13 to 17 who help around the library.
One of the events that take place every month is called Culture and Cuisine. This is when participants learn about a specific culture and get to try new foods. During the month of April, empanadas were sampled to celebrate National Empanada Day. On the other days there are “Teen cooking challenges” where teens collaborate to make new dishes like rice krispies and pie tacos. There’s even events where participants can try wacky flavors in foods like Pop-Tarts and potato chips.
Aside from food activities, there’s also opportunities to create. Students use clay, acrylics and watercolors. A slideshow of techniques for each of the media are displayed on a projector, and then participants have the freedom to create using the strategies learned. For example, in March, there was an artist study on Yayoi Kusama who is known for her large sculptures and incorporating bold patterns. Examples of her artwork were displayed and used as inspiration for that day’s activity. Another activity called the “Closest Clean out” provided items like bird houses, keychains and records from previous activities to be painted to make way for new supplies.
Events for the library are planned two months in advance. Working in advance allows Heisey and Reeder time to work through ideas.
“I often get ideas from my coworkers in teen services, other library systems, Pinterest, library blogs and sometimes I get sparks of inspiration based upon things that I enjoy,” Reeder said.
Sometimes the library gets a chance to partner with people in the community. In April, the library worked with East Meck Chinese teacher Ning Chen for the Doulingo live Chinese program. Chen also assisted with the Lunar New Year program. Additionally, the library partners with the Arts and Science Council’s Culture blocks program. They provide clay and painting programs, which are funded by Mecklenburg County.
Heisey and Reeder both started working at Independence Regional in 2023. They believe that programs have improved since they started working with teens. When they first started working at the library, there wasn’t much programming. Reeder was working through trail and error to tailor the programs to a variety of interests. At the beginning of the school year, it was harder to make activities because Reeder did not know what teens enjoyed, but the activities started improving as they built relationships.
When Heisey started working with Reeder, the programs started to flourish. She brought new ideas and creativity to the events. Together they make the programs a success.
“Victoria and I work well together and we also plan well in advance, which is something past us would be jealous of,” said Heisey.
Whenever an activity is hosted, the amount of participants is logged. When attendance to a program is low, factors like weather, clubs and extracurricular activities are taken into consideration.
“It’s not always about having a packed room,” Senior program manager Holly Summers-Gil said. “Success can sometimes look like having a smaller group where we’re able to make a deeper impact.”
