Meet Meredith Powers, Clinton Hill Library’s New Teen Librarian

Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Avenue) now has both a children’s and a teen librarian! Meredith Powers joined the library staff in early September as the new person in charge of bringing educational and fun programming for teens to the well-utilized library branch. Since her arrival, we’ve had things like Make Your Own Zine join the schedule alongside Teen Tech Time. We caught up with Towers to welcome her to her to the neighborhood and see what’s in store for library patrons this year.

What are your goals for the library? What can patrons look forward to?

My goals are do more programs and explore the new kinds of technology available. I’m not a technologist and I don’t believe that tech alone can solve every social problem, but I do believe the role of public libraries is to be a place where people can try new things and access up-to-date information, whether that is computer programming, 3-D Printing, robotics, filmmaking, or other tools. I want our young adults to be comfortable with it and have access to a wide variety of tools.

I’m also working on trying to incorporate cheap robotics into our existing after school activities. The teens I see regularly really enjoy building with LEGOs, and I want to expand on that and add new possibilities for learning and creativity.

Are you there every day? When can people come to you for help?

I’m here five days a week, usually Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday. Mostly I’ll be planning and running programs, visiting schools, keeping teen materials fresh, and working at the info desk to help troubleshoot tech issues. Ask me anything you need!

Where in Brooklyn are you from? Where have you worked before?

I’ve spent four years working in academic and art libraries, including at City College and Columbia, but Brooklyn is my first public library. I’m from Virginia, originally, but live near this library now and I’m so excited to work in the same community I live in.

What is your favorite teen/young adult book?

When I was a teen, I loved Rats Saw God. about a smart, failing high school boy outsider. Author Rob Thomas created shows like Veronica Mars. Also, a recent favorite is “How To Build A Girl,” by Caitlin Moran, which is about a young teenager on the outside of life who grows from passivity into owning more agency in her own life. Both books take place in the 90s, and music features heavily in both protagonists’ lives. I don’t know, maybe there’s a theme here!

YA novels have an emotional resonance and are not afraid to explore that in a real way. Even if you’re not a teen, you’re going through tough times and can relate. . . I love that teens are also going through transition. I would love to offer that to them.

What’s your favorite thing about the library?

Interactions between wide groups of people are the best part of my day. I love when people who like the same things, who use the library in the same way, find each other and form friendships over their shared interests.