Lauren W. Callihan
PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
As the Young Adult programming specialist, I am responsible for each program and event that takes place in the Teen Lounge. This position requires me to call upon my classroom management skills, creativity, and problem solving abilities to pull off educational and entertaining programs for teens.
I am currently working on a program for Teen Tech Week centered on a BB-8 Sphero, a robotic, ball shaped toy modeled after Star Wars’ BB-8. The device's movements are controlled by an app that is relies on programming and coding to control the direction, speed, and patterns of the robot. Through a series of commands, the Sphero can be navigated through obstacle courses, be used for mini-golf or bowling, or event jump ramps. Although it may seem like the teens are merely playing a game, they are also engaged with valuable textual and visual coding skills.
In addition to Teen Lounge programs, I also plan and coordinate larger events, including the YALLFest Red Carpet Preview, Star Wars Reads Day, Harry Potter Night, and fandom parties. As suggested by a member of our teen advisory board, the Teen Lounge hosted a Doctor Who Season 9 Premiere Party in September 2015, complete with a TARDIS and Doctor Who-themed snacks. Working closely with other staff members while simultaneously keeping the needs of teens in mind is crucial in constructing fantastic events.
Over the summer of 2015, Team YA planned a Sherlock-themed mystery event complete with costumes, clues, and a live action "whodunnit" mystery. Participants used their library knowledge to work in teams and riddle out the clues to solve the theft of a rare, first edition book. Other 2015 highlights include a week long Book Camp which included a behind the scenes library tour, a lesson in book binding, literary games, crafts, a Q&A session with YA author Ryan Graudin, and helping the staff select new books to bring to the Teen Lounge.
My largest project thus far has been coordinating the YALLFest Red Carpet Preview. YALLFest is an annual young adult literary festival that takes places each November in Charleston. The Teen Lounge hosts an annually sold out event, the Red Carpet Preview, which entails an author panel, setting up green rooms, hosting VIP guests, and crowd control in author signings lines for upward of 350+ attendees.
