This refuge within the library is just for teens and tweens. The Teen Center provides a place for our kids to be kids in a place dedicated to them. It functions as an oasis at the end of their busy school day that is off the streets where they can socialize, be entertained, play games, or even do homework!
Teen Power Hour
TeenCenter Discord Server:
Stay in touch and communicate with friends on our TeenCenter Discord Server. If this changes we will update it here: https://discord.gg/qxEFBFUf3K
Teen Center Discord Server Invite link.
After school activities for teens and tweens between 3pm and 5pm.
The Belleville Public Library provides a series of activities for the Teens and Tweens in our Teen Center. Kids can come in and relax, do homework or participate in one of the scheduled after school activities.
BPL STEAMPunk Engineers This club takes STEM activities, puts the art back in and uses it for fun rather than straight forward academics. Participants gain supervised access to our equipment and software like our Glowforge lasercutter, Epsilon w50 3D printer, Brother embroidery machine, Autodesk Autocad, 3Ds Max, etc. and Adobe software including Photoshop, Premier, Illustrator, After Effects and more. Help is build Belleville’s crafty maker community and enjoy a variety of geeky fun creative activities in the process.
Abigail’s Crochet Corner: Practice the art of crocheting. Crochet sets and some yarn is availble in the Teen Center.
Chess Kings and Queens Learn chess fundamentals and strategies than can be applied to a variety of situations. All ages and skill levels are invited to attend. Learning this game is not only fun but a useful tool in learning how to face and overcome challenges.
Belleville Anime and Manga Club Meet weekly with like minded friends and revel in your Anime and Manga fandom. Watch anime, arts and crafts.
Teen Center Equipment
Computer Hardware:
The Teen Center’s computers are equipped with i7 processors, 16GB RAM, and AMD Radeon W5500 Graphics cards.
They also are equipped with Wacom Cintiq Pro graphic pen displays for use with graphic and 3D modelling applications. Please note that Teens are prioritized in the Teen Center.
TeenCenter Equipment:
3D printers: BCN3D w50 dual head printer MakerBot Replicator Mini+
Electronics Kits and Equipment: Arduino Kits Raspberry Pi 4B Breadboards for circuit prototyping Rigol Oscilloscope Servos and motors Soldering Station
Glowforge Pro Popular prosumer laser cutter that will cut and engrave wood, leather, acrylic and other materials.
Video Recording Equipment (in house use only) BlackMagic Studio Cinema Pro 6k cameras Atem Mini switcher Tripods and sandbags Light kits Green screens with stands
Sewing machine Sewing Manquin/Dress Form
Six-needle Brother embroidery machine
Software:
Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps: Acrobat Pro, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Lightroom, XD, Animate, Dreamweaver, etc.
Autodesk Media & Entertainment Collection: Maya, 3ds Max, Arnold, Motionbuilder, and Mudbox
AutoCAD Archtectual Design
Fusion 360
Teen Advisory Board
The Belleville Public Library has enlisted the services of some very special and devoted Teens who have stepped up to represent their peers in the library.
This group of teens have been tasked with making recommendations on all aspects of the library, ensuring that the Teen Center and the Young Adult collection of books represent their interests.
Participating Teens can count their hours of service toward the requirements for the school system. This also provides them insight into how real boards that represent our community may operate.
The library is aware of the school’s community service requirements and is happy to assist teens with fulfilling this requirement. Some of our programs are designed with that very function in mind.
The Teen Advisory Board and Homework Heroes are an ideal place to lend your time to the community and have some fun in the process. If you lend your time to help run or organize an event then those hours are considered as well.
You can sign up to be a Volunteen by contacting ya@bellepl.org.
