I connected with PPL through the PVD Young Maker’s internship, which I found out about at school. And that gave me a good running start, not only to my first ever job, but to a place where I not only can find myself, but also people with similar interests. People who are creative, imaginative, and who want to see change in this world. Not only through art, but through talking to people and creating community.
I think libraries are bastions of community. They bring people together. They help people find what they need. And, despite the fact that people think that you don’t really need libraries anymore, you do. Because if you don’t have them, what else is there?
Spaces like the Teen Loft at PPL are really important. They’re a tremendous resource and a source of information, not only a source of comfort. It means that you’re able to talk about books that you have disagreeing opinions on. It means being able to have students from Brown coming and giving teenagers help with homework. It means helping people find books that they want to read. It means even while you’re sitting and trying to do homework, having people come in and think that you’re a librarian here!
For me, the librarians are definitely number one on my list of favorite things about the Teen Loft. They not only give me a place to feel safe and comfortable. They give me a place to learn more about myself, more about others, and how to create community.
Molly, Kate and Lydia, they’ve been quite a big part of my journey moving through my end of high school, going on to college. They’ve given me amazing people to look up to and to definitely admire. They’ve definitely made this place what it is.
Through conversations with the librarians here, I feel like I’ve learned the importance of nuance and the importance that two things like two opposing truths can be held at the same time. Those two truths don’t have to conflict, but you can see the other side in each and form your own opinion.
I feel like the favorite thing that I’ve learned from all the books I’ve read and want to read is that you really and truly need a community. Because without that, what are you? You may just be like a person by yourself, but being by yourself is not something that’s going to help you. So try and find community.