Teenagers today spend a lot of time on one technological device or another, browsing social media and playing video games. Entertaining, yes, but sometimes students linger too long on their screens, and can miss other opportunities even when they are right in front of them, and are free to participate in. One example of this is the Rolla Public Library, a useful but often overlooked, resource by the younger generation despite its staffs’ desires to provide entertaining pastimes. Rebecca Buckley, title, is one of those staff members, who wants very much for the library to have more clubs, events, and services for the youth.

A recent addition to what the Rolla Public Library offers for teenagers is their Tabletop Gaming Club, held on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. One opportunity coming to the club is a version of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as other magic-related, role-playing games.

“We talked to the guys at Eclipse [Books &] Comics right down the street. They gave us, very generously, some starter magic decks and some of the kids can even get free cards (…) Three of the people who work here, staff at the library, are young and hip, unlike myself… they’ll be on hand to help kids that maybe don’t know how to play that want to learn how to play,” Buckley said.

Returning to the library is the Teen Scene, a popular event during the summer that they are hoping to gain traction with again. There are no November meetings, but during winter break, the library will have an event every day to include all ages, and the Teen Scene’s days will be on the 22nd and 29th of December, both of which are Saturdays.

“We did a cupcake and costumes thing, we did some crafts, and we had pizza…. We were thinking we would do some kind of a free movie event. All you can eat sugary cereal, a Saturday afternoon cartoon type thing, where kids can come in their pajamas. They can come to meet their friends, sit on the floor, bring a pillow, and just chill for a couple hours, like from one to three,” Buckley said.

She cares deeply about expanding on the Rolla Public Library’s potential for the younger generation as she was previously a high school librarian for 20 years in St. Louis County.

“One of the things I had at the high school that was cool; I used to do a preschool outreach, and I used the teenagers to do that. They helped me with storytimes, and we did crafts, and puppets, stuff like that,” Buckley said.

There, she had students on an advisory council, who were active with their own public library and community, something she wants to bring to Rolla as well to expand on supplies and opportunities for teenagers.

“Books, more events, more author signings, anything that teens would want. If it’s more graphic novels, if it’s more gaming, whatever… If you want help with service opportunities, anything like that. I know you guys probably need tutoring hours and stuff, we could always talk about that kind of stuff and see what can be done,” Buckley said.

She mentioned many ideas, such as a writers’ club and a youth book club, but they do not have to be reading specific. Buckley also mentioned a chess club, crafting, and DIYs.

“For example, [one teen] came with the idea that he wanted to do an origami workshop for all ages. I was like, ‘That’s so cool, let’s do it,’ I’m hoping if there’s any other kids that have stuff that they want to do, if they know a skill that they would like to do a workshop on, or have a sort of club on, to please let me know,” Buckley said.

Buckley is passionate towards the library’s potential to be more for the younger generation. She offered to work around students’ schedules and even to come to the high school herself.

“I really want to get some kids to come in and tell us what they want, so that we can do it… Especially when I’m working. The only days I have off are Sunday, Monday. If they come like right after school, during the day, pretty much anytime. Ask for Rebecca, I will definitely take any ideas,” Buckley said.