EVERETT — Soon teens visiting the Everett Public Library will have a space of their own — one removed from the children’s section and its stuffed animals, board books and toddlers.
A new teen center is planned on the main floor of the downtown branch, just adjacent to where the juvenile collection is now kept.
The teens like the change, librarian Emily Dagg said. “They all say, ‘It’s about time,’ ” she said.
Construction is expected to last until early November.
The library is expected to be open during most of the work, with some temporary shutdowns of certain sections. The entire library also will be closed for as long as two weeks beginning Oct. 24.
During construction, patrons can still request books and then pick them up at the Evergreen branch of the library, located at 9512 Evergreen Way.
The new teen area will include comfy seating, coffee tables, lots of display shelving for new books and media, and computers. All of that is a first for the Everett library, which has never before had a space set aside for teenagers.
“We have places in the library for children and places for adults, but teens are a little different in how they like to hang out and relate to each other,” library director Eileen Simmons said.
They’re too old for the children’s area but perhaps too rambunctious at times for adults who expect hear-a-pin-drop quiet.
She estimates that 8,000 teens have library cards in Everett.
The teen center will take the place of the children’s storytime room. Contractors will open up the room, which is located just near enough to the children’s center that librarians can still direct a stern eye in that direction, if necessary.
A new, larger storyroom — now dubbed a classroom — will be built nearby.
“A children’s classroom emphasizes this is a learning experience, not just a fun experience,” librarian Theresa Gemmer said.
Construction work is already under way.
Wednesday afternoon the juvenile section was cordoned off with curtains of Visqueen, and most of the books were stored away. Someone had written on a wall scheduled for tear-down: “Make way for teens!”
The entire project costs nearly $275,000. Around $100,000 of that pays for new carpeting and related maintenance upgrades for the entire mainfloor of the library.
Most of the rest of the cost comes from private donations. Library staff have been planning this project and raising money for nearly two years.
“We’re still happy to accept donations,” the director said.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197; dsmith@heraldnet.com.
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