The Provo City Library hosts many different programs and events for the community, which bring children, teens and adults together.
Erika Hill is the community relations manager and works with the events and programming at the library.
“What our goal is with programming is to help people learn new things, have fun and build a community together,” Hill said. “For example, Magic Morning happens on the first Saturday of every month, and it's a group of people that want to get together and play Magic (the) Gathering.”
Most of the events are inspired by the community. When someone expresses interest in a certain program, they can reach out to the library and ask about starting something.
One of these programs is the collage art workshop. Hill said an artist, who had some art on display at the library, offered to teach classes on this art form.
“Sometimes it's a little bit like that pasta on the wall analogy, where you throw it and you see what sticks. Sometimes you try something, and it turns out people aren't interested in this thing, but sometimes they are,” Hill said.
For the children’s programs, planning looks a little different.
Joella Bagshaw is the children's service manager at the Provo City Library and works closely with the children’s programs.
“Because you have to advertise to the parents, it's easier just to have a regularly scheduled program,” Bagshaw said.
Tween programs for ages 9 to 12 and library kids programs for ages 5 to 8 are offered every Thursday at 4:15. The format of the programs is the same week to week, starting with reading a book and then ending with crafts and activities.
The difference between each week is the theme. Recently, the tween program had a K-pop Demon Hunters themed party.
“If we have some sort of structured thing that happens weekly during the school year, then you can throw in different themes and change it,” Bagshaw said.
The Teen Minecraft Club is a weekly event that is put on for the teenagers in the community.
Every Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., teens can come to the second floor of the library and log onto a server to play Minecraft with their friends.
Allison Smith, the adult and teen services librarian, coordinates the teen programming at the library. She has overseen this club every week since 2014.
“Hanging out with the teens is so awesome. 12 to 18 is such a fun, interesting time of life,” Smith said. “They’re figuring out how to be adults in public spaces, and we're all working together, and they’re learning cooperation, teamwork and problem solving.”
Smith said she’s been able to see some of the teens that attend the club from 12 years old to seeing them graduate high school. She has been able to see the change in these teens and watch them become examples and learn how to support each other.
“It’s not just gaming, it’s also very social,” Smith said.
The Minecraft server is only available at the library to create a safe and secure environment for the teens.
“There's just more happening at the library than you think there is. There's usually things going on, new things to learn, new things to do and more to check out,” Hill said.
All programs and events are listed on the Provo City Library website.