Two new Teen Tech Centers opened this month as a part of the Brooklyn Public Library’s initiative to help today’s youth create the world of tomorrow.
The centers, which were opened at the Saratoga and Adams Street branches of the Brooklyn Public Library in Ocean Hill and Dumbo, respectively, will serve as gateways for teens to learn and create with technology in new and exciting ways.
Each center is stocked with computers, 3-D printers, cameras, digital musical instruments, and more — giving teens the ability to learn and experiment with graphic design, programming, video came design, podcasting, and even robotics.
“New York City teens are the leaders of tomorrow and deserve all the resources today to turn their dreams into a reality,” said New York City Mayor, Eric Adams. “That’s why across all five boroughs our administration delivered $15 million to our vital library system. Brooklyn’s newest teen centers will provide our young people a safe space with the tools to discover their passions, while helping to raise the next generation of tech leaders.”
Each year, the Brooklyn Public Library provides nearly 65,000 free programs for people of all ages and backgrounds including writers, artists, educators, and, of course, teens.
Since 2019, the Teen Tech Centers have offered educational programming for young Brooklynites who may not otherwise have access to those resources.
“When we provide safe spaces where teens can meet their peers, sharpen their digital skills and express their creativity, we empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, scientists and artists,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “We now have five teen tech centers across the borough, and we can’t wait to see what innovative ideas Brooklyn’s talented teens bring to life at the Library.”
Teen Tech Centers also operate at the Kings Highway, Crown Heights, and Bay Ridge locations of the library. According to a BPL rep, the centers share a common goal to introduce teens to potential career paths in crucial fields such as engineering and entrepreneurship.
In addition to the Tech Centers, the Brooklyn Public Library also offers several other programs for teens such as Teen Takeovers, which allow the teens to run programs in the library after hours, and the Teen Techies and Librarians of Tomorrow internship programs which aim to give teens the skills they need for college and the workforce.
“Our world is better when all of us — especially young people — have enriching places where we get to exist as members of a community, rather than as customers,” said state Sen. Jabari Brisport, in a statement. “At the new Teen Tech Center opening at the Saratoga Library Branch in my district, the students’ energy and excitement to have such a space was palpable. As a former public school teacher and their State Senator, I will continue to fight for our young people, to ensure that more resources are given to our community so that every student can have access to wonderful experimental learning spaces like this one.”
