In partnership with the Tomball Economic Development Corp., renovations were done at Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library's teen space, which now features new technology, moveable furniture and a digital table.
“This is like their home away from home,” Young Adult Program Specialist Rachael Wells said. “It really has become that.”
The big picture
The renovated teen space was completed in December, and the space has since been soft-opened, Young Adult Program Librarian Victoria Allums said. The renovations include a wall of TVs; new technology such as game consoles, virtual reality sets, iPads and wireless headsets; a digital touchscreen table teens can use for various activities; and new mobile furniture.
“They like to be able to congregate in different sections of the room, which we really tried to make the room with that in mind,” Allums said. “Because before, the furniture really wasn’t moveable so you were trying to drag these heavy round tables. You couldn’t put a bunch of tables together. So it had an effect of maybe isolating people more.”
Allums said teen participation in the library’s programs has seen an increase since the renovation was completed.
“It’s really nice to be able to walk by and see so many of them in the room using it,” Wells said. “They really love to have a space, and it’s intimate for them. We focus highly on the age range in here so that they have a space where they can be free and just open, and relax.”
How we got here
Before the renovation, the library’s teen space was “pretty inhospitable,” Allums said.
“It was very blank,” Allums said. “It looked like a forgotten space.”
In January 2020, the TEDC partnered with the library to create the Tomball Innovation Lab, a space that features technology community members can use such as 3D printers, Community Impact previously reported. The renovated teen space is an extension of that Innovation Lab, TEDC Executive Director Kelly Violette said via email.
“This collaborative project provides our local youth with access to technology, resources, educational opportunities, job preparation and career development, and technological literacy to prepare them for the future and guide them into adulthood,” Violette said.
A $47,614 TEDC grant to help fund the project was approved by Tomball City Council in December 2021, according to prior reporting.
Library Director Janna Hoglund said the library’s teens team researched different teen spaces and what other libraries have. They also spoke to local teens to see what they wanted out of a space.
“We wanted to have something that [would] definitely attract the local youth and also give them the opportunity to have technology that they can’t have at home,” Hoglund said.
What they’re saying
- “The TEDC is thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate on this community project. Education and workforce development, alongside innovation and entrepreneurship, are TEDC strategic goals. Resources made possible by the technology investments at LSC-Tomball Community Library will help achieve these goals and demonstrate that Tomball is dedicated to creating unique avenues for student success,” Violette said.
- “My deepest appreciation [goes] to the team at Tomball Economic Development Corp., Kelly and Tiffani [Wooten], for giving us this opportunity to make this an amazing space and tool for our local teens. But I’d also like to thank Victoria and Rachael for being able to utilize it to its fullest. ... The combination of these two is powerful,” Hoglund said.
In other news
The library is also preparing for its second annual Tomball Author Fest, scheduled for June 15, Wells said in an email. Local authors interested in being a part of the event can learn more and apply by visiting this link. Applications are due March 15.
Learn more
The library will host a come-and-go open house event for the renovated teen space on Jan. 24 from noon-6 p.m. A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
