Library’s Teen Space to Undergo a ‘Renaissance’

August 25, 2025
• With construction slated to start next week, the library director and teen librarian spoke about transformative changes coming to the space.

When Needham High School lets out at 2:35 p.m., the library awaits the arrival of upwards of 100 teens, who spread across the space to find seats and desks anywhere they can.

“On any countertop, you will find kids working,” teen librarian Erin Bassett said.

Their dedicated young adult area on the second floor now sits at 800 square feet and can only hold about 12 people, but by early spring, teens will have a dedicated 4,000 square feet to study, work on group projects, play games and eat snacks. The space will be able to accommodate more than 90 students.

Construction begins Sept. 2, and town officials anticipate finishing up February in time for a grand opening in the latter half of March. The library will remain open during construction.

Alongside other quality of life improvements, including new HVAC and updated furniture and desks, the project is “setting the library up for success” for the next 20 years, Library Director Rob MacLean said.

“This is not just a construction project. It’s going to be a Renaissance for teens at the library,” he said.

The space will be divided into four areas: a craft room for special programming, a collaborative study space, a quiet study space and a lounge space “at the heart of the teen room” where teens can socialize, MacLean said. Lined within the space will be rows of book shelves storing the library’s teen collection.

“There are thousands of books available, since reading is our foundation,” MacLean said, “but it’s also about community and making people feel welcome.”

In conducting a framework study, the library learned of students’ desire for quiet space. The existing teen room, which is partially enclosed, will remain and be repurposed for quiet study for about 25 students.

Students also weighed in on other project details, including the furniture. Bassett said teens tested out different chairs to determine which they preferred. Much of the furniture in the crafting area will be cleanable too, MacLean added.

As opposed to other study destinations, such as cafes, the library is free to use and boasts physical and digital resources at students’ disposal. But for Bassett, it’s not just about schoolwork, but also about providing a third space.

“Libraries are definitely not silent spaces,” Bassett said. “We are the community center, so this is where we want kids to feel safe.”

There will be a staff desk in the teen space, though officials have yet to determine specific rules for the space. As of now, there is no use policy, though staffers will consider establishing one in the coming weeks.

The project, which cost the town about $2.4 million, was approved at May Town Meeting. MacLean said construction bids came in under budget.

Over the next six months, the library will hold off-site programming, but for teens who still plan to visit the library, Bassett said the community room on the first floor will be reserved from 2:30-6 p.m. after school. With added desks, that room could hold between 40-50 students, she said. There will also be additional seating in other parts of the library, including the Bosworth Room.

The crafting room in the new space could be used for future programming or passive activities, such as puzzling. The lounge area will boast a television and gaming console for students to use. The entire teen space will be closed off from the rest of the library, with windows looking back into the building.

When construction gets underway, the library advises patrons to anticipate some minor disturbances, though work will end each weekday at 2:30 p.m., according to the library’s website. MacLean said visitors can request earplugs.

The library plans to next renovate its children’s department, with the goal of obtaining funding for construction in FY28, according to their website. The projected cost of that renovation is nearly $3 million, according to the August 2023 framework study, though the timeline has changed.

Bassett said she’s “stoked” for the renovation and expansion.

“This is a huge investment that we’re lucky to have,” she said. “It shows the town’s commitment to teens.”

“Come next March, we hope this becomes the place to be,” MacLean said.