But, becoming a destination for Topeka teens has also brought its own stack of challenges. A room full of books may not be a likely destination for a bunch of junior high kids. "They just come here to hang out with their friends after school," says eighth grader Trae-Shae Redd, who was visiting the library Wednesday, "just a whole bunch of people come to hang out." "Pretty much just play on the computer and see if my friends are here," says eighth grader Kyle College.

"The library is a noisier place today than it used to be," says Jeff Dawson, who works in Youth Services at the library. In some parts of the library, it's more like a social setting than a place to study, but there are some places to go if you want some peace and quiet. "Anyone can use that room (on the north side of the library) and there's no talking allowed," says Dawson. Silence is preserved in some corners, but groups of noisy teens and congested computer stations are the norm in the after school hours. And uniformed security guards may seem like an un-welcoming sight.

"Sometimes that can be intimidating for younger kids, for older adults, anybody for that matter, it is one of the hazards," Dawson says. But what some read as a hazard, can turn a new page in teens lives.
"They're interacting with each other, with our librarians," Dawson says, "they're creating this mode of respect." Respect and friendship are some of the things they're learning that you can't get off the shelf.
"We're asking them to come, we're begging them to come into the library," Dawson says.

Offering computers, educational programs, trivia games, even X-Box video games, gives kids of all ages constructive options for after school.
"We're getting some kids into the library, that don't typically go to the library and again," Dawson says, "where would you rather have your 12, 13, 14 or 15-year old: in a library, or out on the streets?" Daily, the library offers programs and projects from preschool age on up. Check www.tscpl.org for the latest listings.