Meagan’s Place adding new books
in library for Pagosa’s teens
By Carole Howard and the Library Staff
Published in the Pagosa Springs Sun 12/13/2007
The new 6th grade committee for Meagan's Place at the Sisson Library is Devyn Doctor, 12, left and Colton Polczynski, 11. Here Devyn and Colton check the library web site to see if their recommended books are already available at Meagan's Place or need to be purchased.
Nothing succeeds like success – especially when students are involved.
That adage is being proven again, this time in an area called Meagan’s Place to the immediate right of the front door in the library. Meagan’s Place, a special space created two years ago, is devoted entirely to books and games of interest to early teens in the sixth through ninth grades.
At its inception, materials in Meagan’s Place were chosen primarily by a sixth grade committee of students. Their input was so useful that those sixth graders have continued to serve as advisers as they moved forward into higher grades, and now there are committees representing the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.
This year’s new sixth grade committee is made up of Devyn Doctor, 12, daughter of Veronica and Anthony Doctor, and Colton Polczynski, 11, son of Evette and Eric Polczynski. Both are avid readers. They each have created lists of their personal favorites – books they have enjoyed and think would be good for other kids as well.
If any books that Devyn and Colton recommend are not currently available at Meagan’s Place, they will be purchased through a special grant from an anonymous benefactor. He created this space at the library to be a living memorial to 12-year-old Meagan, his granddaughter, who died tragically in Ohio almost four years ago. Also, if a book on Devyn’s or Colton’s list is so well-read or old that it is in bad condition, a new copy will be purchased.
“Our library is a safe haven and valuable learning center for Pagosa’s youth after school,” said Jackie Welch, Sisson Library director. “Children’s programs at the library are a foundation for literacy, an issue that becomes even more important as schools’ budgets are strained.”
Meagan’s Place is gaining popularity among the Pagosa youth for whom it was created. It is not uncommon on an after-school afternoon to see the area being enjoyed by readers, kids playing games or chatting quietly in the corner – or all three. A major advantage to Meagan’s Place is that all books appropriate for this age group are easily accessible in one area of the library.
The furniture in Meagan’s Place undoubtedly adds to the attraction. The area has a homey atmosphere because it is furnished with comfortable chairs and a couch, plus tables more reminiscent of a living room than a study area.
“One the best things about Meagan’s Place is the input from the student committees,” Jackie said. “Their involvement ensures the books are relevant to their lives and interesting enough to attract more teens to take advantage of the treasures in our library.”
A key reason for the success of Meagan's Place, a special section of the library devoted to books and games for early teens in the sixth through ninth grades, is input from two student advisory committees. Shown here at a recent brainstorming session are (seated left to right in front) 7th grader Danny Shahan, 13, advisor Bob Bigelow, 8th grader Cy Parker, 13, and 9th grader Josie Snow, 14. Behind them are librarians Stephanie Graveson, standing, and Barb Draper, seated center. Seated right is Sally High, teacher and advisor. These avid readers hope other teens will stop by to take advantage of what Meagan's Place offers, free for anyone with a library card.