June 5, 2026
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Homer A. Plessy Day was established on June 7, 2005, to honor the trailblazing Civil Rights activist who stood up against segregation in 1892.
Teen Voices: Matthew on Read & Ride RTA Passes
Kaylee Perry
Kaylee is the Library's teen intern
For 15-year-old Matthew Densen, the New Orleans Public Library is a place to spend time with his friends, get out of the house, and explore his creativity. Over the summer, Matthew regularly utilized the Library’s Teen Read & Ride program to get to the Library for free, a service sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library to connect youth with public transportation at no cost.
Most days, Matthew used the Read & Ride program to get to the Library’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center. Located on Main Library’s second floor, the Teen Tech Center is an interest-based learning environment for teens to experiment and master various new technologies with help from their peers and adult mentors.
The center features technology and multimedia tools that can be used for music and video production, interactive programming, graphic design, and more. Matthew’s favorite stations are the 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, and poster-printers.
He recently sat down with Kaylee, the Library’s teen intern, to explain how he uses the Library and the Read & Ride Program, and how he recommends his peers do the same.
Check out their conversation below, which has been edited for length and clarity:
Q: What was your introduction to the Library’s Read & Ride program? And how often do you use the passes?
A: I was introduced to the passes the first time I went to the Main Library and went up to check out the second floor, where all the teen and kid stuff is. Some of the librarians told me they were getting bus passes for people that needed it, and at the time I really didn’t have any bus fare. So, that was helpful to me to get from where I need to get and to do things. I use them pretty often because it helps me get here and to go places I need to go.
Q: How did this program change your summer and make your summer better?
A: Getting the free passes through this program helped me to be able to get out more instead of staying inside.
Q: If a teen our age wanted to come to the Library, what would be some advice to them?
A: They should sign up for the Teen Tech Center. It’s useful and helps out a lot with things like projects, and so it’s just a really nice place over here. Honestly, this Library is just a nice area and it’s very useful, and I think more people would like it if they just come to see what it’s like here.
The Best Buy Teen Tech Center is designed to be a safe, comfortable, and engaging space for teens. Membership is limited to youth ages 13 – 18. Members must complete a membership application and get signed permission from a parent or legal guardian in order to participate.
For more information and to sign up to be a member, visit bbttc.nolalibrary.org, or stop by between 1 and 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.
Teens can access free RTA youth passes to get to the Library, thanks to generous funding from the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library. The Youth RTA day passes are available at all Library locations for anyone ages 11 to 18. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one pass per teen per day. The teen must be present to receive their pass, and individuals can get a total of two passes per week. Please note that locations may run out of passes, but will be restocked as quickly as possible.
This story is part of the Library’s Teen Voices series. If you’d like to participate and tell your story, email impact@nolalibrary.org.
May 28, 2026
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Celebrate Pride Month with events, activities, and reading recommendations from the New Orleans Public Library.
May 8, 2026
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The New Orleans Public Library and Junior League of New Orleans partner to provide monthly period supply kits for free.