My name is Greg Lewis, I am the teen librarian at Kent District Library-Kentwood Branch. Last summer, I reached out to local businesses, and along with our "friends of the library" we hosted the first ever “Kentwoodpalooza” which featured local teen rock bands. This was the final event in the Teen SRC (Summer Reading Club). 150 attended the event.
This summer, I hope to expand this event by offering a Teen SRC kickoff event in addition to the final event. My hope is to attract many area teens to the library at the beginning of SRC. This way, teens can find out what their library has to offer and how they can become involved. Often, teens are an underserved segment in the population, and just knowing there is a welcoming place can make a huge difference in a young person’s life.
The opening event would feature teen bands, free food, and the opportunity to sign up for the SRC. They will also learn about other summer offerings at their library. At the conclusion of summer, the final event will feature a local professional music act, food, and we would have the SRC prize drawings. Our library serves a diverse, multicultural community and this is a great opportunity for teens to interact and meet with new friends.