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PAGE 58 VOL. 75, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2012 MISSISSIPPI LIBRARIEShouse the television, games, and supplies.The middle of the room has tables forcrafts, games, puzzles, and other activities.Immediately outside the room is where wemoved what was left of the reference roommaking the adjacent area an ideal place forquiet study.Book-shaped stress relievers.GETTING THE WORD OUTIn our small county (population about30,000), a new teen room was considerednewsworthy, and we were fortunate to getgood publicity through our local newspaper.In addition, we wrote blog posts aboutthe progress of the room, which includedlots of pictures. Plus, the community waskept informed through Facebook and Twitter.The teen room now has its own Facebookpage, which we hope will develop intoa teen communication center.In February, MLC asked us to prepare adisplay for their exhibits in the rotunda atthe State Capitol. Our director and teenlibrarian went to Jackson, equipped withbook-shaped stress balls that read ArmstrongLibrary Teen Zone, which proved tobe very popular. The legislators, as well astheir staff, seemed to be quite impressedwith our teen room.GRAND OPENINGIn October 2010, the Teen Zone wasopened to the public in time for a Halloweenparty. Elected officials, members ofthe community, and of course, teen patronscame to see our new room and wereextremely impressed. Everyone felt thatNatchez was so lucky to have this kind ofplace for teens. Library staff were veryproud, since they did all of the work.AFTERWARDThe Teen Zone has been open and fullyfunctional for about a year. Several programshave already taken place. Over theChristmas holiday, there was a program tomake homemade ornaments and gingerbreadhouses. Around Valentine’s Day was aDeath by Chocolate Day, where teenswatched the original Willie Wonka and theChocolate Factory and experimented with allkinds of chocolate concoctions. Duringspring break, an open gaming session washeld where teens could bring in their games,as well as play the ones the library owns.There was also singing and dancing goingon during Karaoke Time. (Fortunately, withthe door closed, the noise does not botherthe rest of the library.)Although it’s early yet, we are alreadyseeing an increase in teen visits and circulation.As an added bonus, the attentiongiven to this collection has attracted someadults who are more comfortable with thisreading level, as well as adults wanting toknow more about teens. We have alsoAfter the renovation.caught a few pre-teens trying to sneak in, sowe know we have created an attractiveplace.When asked if she thought the room wasa success, the teen librarian told a storyabout one young man who entered theroom for the first time. After lookingaround big-eyed, he asked if this room wasreally for any teen. When reassured that itwas, he broke out in a big smile and said,“This is paradise!”