Checked Out

PAST THE STACKS: This week, we've made it a priority to check out all that our King County Library System has to offer as far as teen-audience offerings go.

On Monday, we went to the Burien library for the kids to participate in a "crafternoon" arts and crafts session. The kids painted coffee mugs and had fun.

On Wednesday, we were back at the Burien Library, this time it was for a board game day. They played Magic, and brought a couple of our games along to teach others (such as Unstable Unicorns and Guillotine).

Today, we headed to the Tukwila branch to check out their teens' video game session.We'd never been there before. LOVED the clock outside the library! This photo doesn't do it justice.

 Right inside the library door, we knew we were in the right place. 

I told the kids to go find the game space and then I  sat down and started working on taxes. I appreciated that the table I sat at had phone charging ports. And I really didn't mind that it was, by far, the LOUDEST library I have ever been in. 

It was a happy loud, if that makes any sense. It was the sound of middle and high school kids talking with one another, after school. It struck me that I was glad they were there and happy and having fun instead of who knows what.

It's interesting how libraries are evolving. Today, they're not just a quiet place to go check out a book. In the Seattle area, one of their number one services is as place to warm up and chill out for homeless people. And it's a place for kids to hang out an feel safe after school.