Teen Center’s new Mini Library aims to get “books in hands”

Teens have run into checking out books and then racking up late fees because they couldn’t get back to the public library in time to return the books.  The most important thing is that these kids are reading.

 The idea is to bring a little piece of the library to the 505 Teen Center.  It all started at the Woman’s Club’s meeting.   More than 300 books have been collected from the public library and Woman’s Club members.
Kae Jonsons, director of development and community relations for Delray Beach Public Library, said,  “We believe children who read succeed. By providing library services to teens, we can open the door to other services that the library offers. Libraries are so much more than books. We help many young people gain access to resources that lead them to their first job and beyond.”

Mykal Banta, the interim library director, is also enthusiastic about the project. “Access to free books is crucial,” Banta said. “It’s also great to be working with the Woman’s Club of Delray Beach, who started our library 104 years ago.”

The Teen Center is located at 505 SE Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach.   Contact the Teen Center at 561-243-7158 for more information on the mini library.

(Excerpts from an article written by Joannie Cox Henry, South Florida Sun Sentinel – January 21, 2017)