Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – It’s been a long time coming, but the teen space at the Warren Public Library was finally unveiled during an open house on Thursday.
The teen space was the impetus behind a large renovation project for the library, one that began to take shape when Kelli Knapp took over as director in 2017.
“It’s hard to believe that we’re actually here,” Knapp said. “The impetus for this really started in January of 2017 when I became director. We needed a teen space. We’ve been working on it really hard ever since then. And we expanded the teen space project to include other parts of the library for renovations and things like that. Everything we did was public serving. New lighting, air conditioning things like that to make the library more accessible and welcoming.”
The teen space, however, is the pride and joy.
The project was originally scheduled to be completed in Sept. of 2021, but problems, many of which were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, caused some delays.
“COVID played a big part, just like it did with other things,” Knapp said.
The bookseller, originally located in the basement of the library, moved upstairs to make room for the teen space, which now occupies the basement.
And the teen space truly covers all of its bases in terms of things to do.
“We have a sound-proof recording studio, we have a maker space where kids can learn to sew and cook,” noted Knapp. “We have a video camera with a green screen. We have a gaming area, computers, and of course, the books.”
The difference was notable, especially among the adults.
“I wish this was around when I was a kid,” was the common phrase uttered by many adults who passed through, including Warren City Councilman Phil Gilbert.
Gilbert was one of several city and county officials who made their way to check out the new space, including Councilwoman Wendy McCain and Warren County Commissioner Tricia Durbin.
“It’s been a long process,” Knapp said. “There have been lots of delays and issues, but to actually be here and to welcome people, it’s wonderful.”
And it’s something everyone is excited about.
“This is the place for teens,” Knapp said. “We have this wonderful place for the teens of Warren County that we’re so excited about, the kids are excited about and the parents are excited about. It’s one of the nicest teen spaces in the state.”
