Teen Programs

PPL’s Teen Services Department strives to create programs that are teen interest driven, facilitate meaningful relationships, and expose youth to learning opportunities. Programs will range in topic, length, and frequency to meet the needs of the youth we serve.

Teen Squad programs are recurring classes that focus on work-readiness, 21st Century skill development, and interest exploration for teens. Through these competency based programs, Teen Services staff work one-on-one with teens to identify their learning goals, develop learning plans, and cultivate accountability.

Recurring Programs

  • Summer - Data for Good Summer Employment - an engine for social good, this teen employment program teaches data science skills and pairs teens with nonprofit organizations with data needs to create data visualizations and answer questions.
  • Fall - Rhode Coders 2.0 - HTML/CSS: This course provides a foundation of web-development programming and coding for students with no or some previous coding experience.
  • Fall - Rhode Coders 2.0 - Python: This course provides a foundation of web-development programming and coding for students with no or some previous coding experience.
  • Spring - Rhode Coders 2.0 - JavaScript: This course provides a foundation of web-development programming and coding for students with no or some previous coding experience.
  • Spring - Introduction to Computer Hardware - This course provides a foundation of computer hardware fundamentals. Students learn the fundamentals of IT/Technical Support including: identifying, using, and connecting hardware components and devices, troubleshooting device and network issues, installing and configuring operating systems, and expanded security.

All recurring programs require advanced registration. For more information email teensquad@provlib.org.

Youth Council

The PPL Youth Council provides an opportunity for youth to build their leadership skills, exchange ideas, and develop plans for improving the Teen experience at PPL, so that the library can better serve the youth of Providence and the surrounding communities. Follow us on Instagram @pplteensquad to get the latest Youth Council news and updates. You can also email us at teensquad@provlib.org or text us at 401-919-3693 if you have any questions.

Eligibility

  • For youth ages 13 - 19
  • Counts as volunteer hours
  • Interested youth should have shown some direct engagement with the PPL Teen Loft and/or PPL Teen Programs to be able to participate in the Youth Council.

Direct engagement includes but is not limited to:

  • Hanging out with friends in the Teen Loft
  • Reading books/doing homework in the Teen Loft
  • Asking for book recommendations
  • Working on job/college applications
  • Taking ACN classes
  • Coming to events/workshops
  • Volunteering

Drop-In Programs

PPL’s Teen Services offers a variety of drop-in programs throughout the year that don’t require advanced registration. Past programs include: blackout poetry, movie nights, stencil painting, cookie decorating, button making, writing workshops, etc. To find out about upcoming drop-in programs, follow @pplteensquad on Instagram or email teensquad@provlib.org.

PPL Alum Angel

I really hope people don't think of PPL as "just some library." PPL is a forest of opportunities available to explore. I can't reiterate it enough: PPL really changed my life. In middle school I'd go home every day and be on my laptop. Now I am trying new things and doing a lot of things other people couldn't do years ago, such as the ACN courses. Going to the Library brought me into that world.

- Angel
PPL Alum and Teen Squad member