SOLON — Patrons of the Solon Public Library may have noticed a new face behind the counter lately as Christian Brauns has assumed the role as the Teen Services Librarian. Brauns, a May graduate of the University of Iowa’s Master’s degree program in Library Information Science, has been on the staff since mid-August undergoing training and orientation. His role is to create programming for middle school through high school students and to curate the book collections appropriate for their age groups and interests.
The purpose of the teen programing, he said, is to provide activities for Solon’s teens that teach them life skills and have them interact with their fellow teenagers (face to face and not through social media). “It’s a place where teens can get together and participate in activities that they’re interested in and meet people. We have the upcoming Switch & Social events (Tuesdays 3:15-4:30 p.m.) that my predecessor (Madison) started up. This year it’s not going to be just (playing) video games, it’s going to be projects at the same time.” Brauns had crafting pewter jewelry on tap for the first program, which was held on Tuesday. For next week (Sept. 10), he’ll introduce the kids to the art and craft of cooking eggs. “Madison was kind enough to create a three-month itinerary for the fall before I started so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed,” he said.
Brauns also oversees the CATS: Creative, Amazing Teens of Solon program for 6th-12th grade students. “I have some ideas for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, I’m really interested in doing some projects on electricity and electronics, having people build their own electrical circuits for example, and I’ve also thought about doing a trading card day where kids can come in and play Pokémon or Magic the Gathering. On Thursdays I want to do programs that are really aimed at teens, like the STEM programs. Those are going to take longer and they’re not going to be easy so they’re going to take up the full hour (4:00-5:00 p.m.).”
He is also considering the feasibility of some sports or exercise programs. “Some of the teens here have a lot of energy and they’ll run around the library even though we tell them not to so I’m thinking maybe an ultimate frisbee game or a squirt gun day, something where they can just run around and be kids.”
Such programming, common now, was unheard of in the past and serves as an example of how libraries continue to evolve to serve their communities as they not only remain a repository for books but also a social center for the community. Brauns credits the information and technology age, in part, for the transition.
“I think the big thing was the internet because now with search engines, you don’t have to go to a library and ask the reference librarian ‘how do I find information on this, or that.’ Now you just go to Google, type in what you want, and you get millions of search hits instantaneously. So, libraries want to continue to be important to the communities and that’s why a lot of libraries today offer various programs for kids, adults, and even infants; it’s a place where people can hang out and belong.”
There is a bit of a balancing act between kids getting maybe a little rambunctious during activities and the traditional stone-cold silence however. “I still like a quiet library, a place where you can read books, do work in a quiet environment, a very relaxing environment; but libraries are more social centers these days. It’s a place where kids can hang out, gossip, use the computer, especially on after school days when they can come and hang out here with their friends.”
For Brauns the Teen Librarian position was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“Ever since I was a child I was really into libraries. When I went to college I wanted to become a writer but I didn’t really like the creative writing and English programs so I went to history instead, which I really liked, but I can’t really just get a job with a history degree so after I graduated I was torn between library science and law enforcement. I actually submitted my resume to some police departments here in Iowa and did the physical fitness test with the Norwalk Police Department. But I was accepted into the school of Library Information Science here at the U of I and two years later, here I am. I’ve always wanted to work in a smalltown library and it seemed like a really good part time job. I’ve been applying for fulltime library jobs for the past six months but it’s a very competitive job market, so when they offered me this position, I jumped on it.”
Brauns, from Coralville, is a 2018 Iowa City West High grad. As a part time librarian, he works 24 hours per week at the Library and puts in twelve hours at the North Liberty Rec Center as a lifeguard.
“This is my first programming job so nothing’s really set in stone yet. I want to meet with our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and hear what they have to say and hear what their programming ideas are.”
The TAB is a group of teenagers who make recommendations on the programs and books they would like Brauns and the Library to offer. “Its also an opportunity for the teen volunteers to plan their own programs. That’s an important part of being a teen services librarian-letting teenagers design their own programs.
“I do hope that more teenagers will volunteer at the Library,” he said. The ones who currently do are greatly appreciated and their hours count toward Silver Cord honors for graduating seniors. Brauns also hopes to reach out to the community for programming ideas and guest speakers.
For the latest information on upcoming events and programs at the Solon Public Library, check out their website, www.solon.lib.ia.us, and watch for weekly updates in the Solon Economist.