When thinking about the services provided by government, it’s easy to focus on departments related to public health, safety or the environment. These are entities crucial to daily life. 

But what about supporting creativity or inspiration? These are far more difficult ideals to define, but as a community we should aspire to spark ideas beyond everyday essentials. 

The New Hanover County Public Library system is a place where this happens every day. Yes, there are books – lots of them, actually. But there’s also engagement opportunities for people of all ages where stories are told, projects are created, and learning unfolds. 

Across four locations (soon to be five), dedicated staff at our branches take great pride in developing programming that resonates with the communities they serve. 

Kristen Nawn and Ezra Letson are two of our Library Associates doing just that, with a focus on creating programming for teenagers. This includes taking over as the organizers for the highly regarded Fiction to Fashion Show set for November 9. The 2024 event marks the eighth-annual installment of this showcase in creativity, as teens (ages 12-18) reuse unconventional materials, including discarded library items, to make runway worthy pieces. 

For this month’s Public Service Profile, I spoke with Kristen and Ezra about their work within our library system to connect with teens in our community. That conversation is below … 

Kristen and Ezra, as an overall county government, we talk a lot about meeting the needs of those we serve in the most efficient and effective way possible, but I think your area of focus in building programming for teenagers within our Public Library system is fascinating.  What have you found is the best way to connect with young people? How do you, as a professional, navigate ever-changing trends to make sure what you’re creating is something teens want to engage with?

Kristen: I’ve found it’s easiest to meet teens where they are and to find ways to create a relaxed environment to help them feel comfortable. I think it’s important for teens to have a space where they can meet others who enjoy the same things and be able to learn new skills at the same time. We’ve seen a lot of our teens form friendships with each other and I don’t think they would have that opportunity without the library since many attend different schools. It’s great to get to know the teens on a personal level and to use their feedback to inform future programs. Ezra and I often bounce ideas off each other and share resources we find from various library professionals and organizations when planning programs.  

Ezra: The trick to navigating trends is to keep yourself informed and in constant connection with others in the field. Scanning social media is a good starting point, but the importance of networking with other library Teen Services professionals can’t be overstated. In doing so, you can discover helpful resources and programming ideas that you can tailor to your own system. But before focusing on trending topics or themes, you want to build a strong programming foundation; from there, you can incorporate the passing trends you come across. For example, teens can try their hand at those fun, creative projects they’ve seen making the rounds on TikTok at the Art Club programs I facilitate twice a month at our Pine Valley branch. 

Fiction to Fashion has become one of the library’s most popular events over the years. It’s a showcase that allows young people to express their creativity and ingenuity with some really remarkable work. You certainly have a big responsibility overseeing this project and I know there are some exciting changes coming for the 2024 edition. Take me through what people can expect. 

Kristen: This year we are hosting the event at a new venue – Azalea Station. We’re really excited to have the show at such a unique and community-focused location. The Cargo District is home to a lot of local creative talent, and we think this will be an excellent opportunity for teens to express themselves and build confidence. We have a few participants who have aged out of the program, but still want to be involved, so they are helping the teens in more of a mentorship role, which is amazing. We have new judges from UNCW and the Cameron Art Museum who will bring their expertise and provide constructive feedback to participants. Fiction to Fashion is all about embracing creativity and promoting self-expression. Every year, the teens surprise us with their unique designs, and we can’t wait to see what they have for us this year.   

Ezra: I’m always amazed at the amount of detail and craftmanship involved in these creations. There are several categories where prizes are awarded, including ‘Most Avant-Garde', ‘Best Literary Tie In’ and ‘Most Ready to Wear,’ and there’s quite a variety of creative talents on display including sewing, painting, origami-work, appliqué, paper-mâché, makeup artistry, hairstyling, the runway performances, cohesion of the overall design, and more. On the night of the showcase, it’s obvious these kids have put hours upon hours of effort into their work, along with their schoolwork, volunteering, social obligations, and any after-school job they might already have on their plate. It’s awe-inspiring.  

Obviously, you’ve got a lot of work to do between now and November 9 to get ready for the show, but I know that’s not the only endeavor you each are focusing on as there’s always something happening at the library. What are some of the programs or events you’re most excited about in the coming few months? 

Kristen: We have a lot of recurring and diverse programs at our branches focused on teens. The Northeast branch offers a monthly Anime Club, as well as a bi-monthly Silent Book Club. Halloween is right around the corner, so Ezra and I both have some themed programs coming up for that. I also have a robotics program in November that involves borrowing some Ozobots from the UNCW CESTEM program. We’re also starting to plan for the annual Cape Fear Fandom Faire in the spring. It’s important for us to find fun and new ways to bring teens into the library.  

Ezra: Ideally, every teen should be able to find at least one library program a month that appeals to them on our calendar. In addition to the Art Club, I offer a monthly video gaming program for teens at the Pine Valley branch and am excited to reintroduce regular teen Dungeons & Dragons programming next spring. I also manage a virtual Teen Book Reviews program that gives them a chance to share thoughts on the books they’ve read on the library’s website. Ultimately, library programming for teens is just so as it valuable helps them develop important social and emotional connections, further explore their creativity and self-expression, and feel more empowered and prepared for their futures, and Kristen and I so enjoy making those experiences possible.

I want to thank Kristen and Ezra for their efforts to create exciting programs for young people in our community. It’s evident that they are passionate about building opportunities that inspire and we’re certainly grateful for their efforts. 

Whether it’s Fiction to Fashion, a story time or just checking out a good book, I encourage you visit the New Hanover County Public Library’s website and take a look at everything they have to offer, including a calendar of events and programs. There truly is something for everybody.