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.
Teen Voices: Kaylee on Interning at the Library
Since kindergarten, Kaylee Perry’s school has always been within walking distance of the Library. While attending the International School of Louisiana’s Westbank campus, Kaylee’s class would regularly go across the street to Hubbell Library. As a senior at Frederick Douglass High School, her research class would walk down the street to study at Alvar Library.
“As a kid, I loved going to Hubbell Library. It was so cute and cozy, and everyone was so nice. It was right across the street, but it always felt like we were going on a mini field trip,” she recalled.
The summer between her junior and senior years, Kaylee signed up for YouthForce NOLA, an internship program that connects rising seniors with local companies and organizations to learn about potential careers, gain work experience, build soft skills, and network with future employers.
Kaylee was matched with the New Orleans Public Library last summer, and her internship grew into a part-time job that lasted through the fall semester.
“I’m so happy that I was assigned to work at the Library as my internship last summer. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but immediately, everyone was so nice to me, and I felt so welcomed and supported,” Kaylee said.
“Part of the goal of the YouthForce NOLA program is to teach kids about different careers that we might not have known about, and I feel so lucky that I was assigned to the Library. I grew up coming to the Library and I always really liked being there, but I didn’t really know everything that went into making a Library run.”
Kaylee said the Library grew to be a second home, and she was excited to come to work every day. In addition to being around kind people in a welcoming environment, Kaylee said the work she did at the Library helped her grow as a person and learn about herself.
“Working here helped me get out of my comfort zone, which I think is going to help me a lot in life. I learned a lot about people and how to communicate and ask thoughtful questions. I think the skills that I learned while working at the Library will definitely stay with me and be applicable in a lot of ways, not just if I end up working in a library again,” Kaylee said.
Amy Wander, head of youth programming, was Kaylee’s primary supervisor at the Library.
“Getting to know Kaylee and watch her grow as a person during her time at the Library was such a joy. She’s smart, curious, and kind, and we were lucky to have her on our team,” Amy said. “Working with YouthNOLA is a unique experience to connect with teens who may not necessarily be interested in Library work but are willing to learn and apply those skills to other aspects of their life. Kaylee is a great example of this, and we wish her all the best in her future.”
Kaylee in BBTTC
Kaylee was excited to learn about sewing while working in the Best Buy Teen Tech Center during her internship at the New Orleans Public Library
Kaylee Interviewing Ayana
Part of Kaylee's internship duties were interviewing her peers about their experience at the New Orleans Public Library, including Ayana, who learned how to sew and do yoga at the Library last summer.
Kaylee Perry
Prior to her internship at the New Orleans Public Library, Kaylee Perry always loved books -- especially the "Hunger Games," series.
Teen Voices - Kaylee
Kaylee Perry stands outside Main Library, where she interned through the YouthForce NOLA program in the summer of 2024.
Over all, Kaylee said she thinks the biggest misconception her peers have about the Library is that it’s boring.
“The Library isn’t just for school stuff. There’s so many things to do here and it’s not just for people who like to read,” Kaylee said. “It’s a great community, and it’s a great place to meet new people and make friends. There’s always something happening at the Library – I did yoga, I took a sewing class, I did science experiments, I played with a bunch of different types of technology – there’s something for everyone, and it’s all free.”
During her internship, Kaylee interviewed other teens about their experiences at the Library, to help gather information on ways we can support, attract, and engage with youth.
“For the most part, the people I talked to all said they were surprised when they first came to the Library that there was actually something fun for them to do here,” Kaylee said. “It’s not just for little kids, it’s not just for adults. There’s stuff for teens here, and everyone I talked to said they wish more people our age would take advantage of that.”
In a few weeks, Kaylee will be starting her freshman year at Duke University, where she plans to enroll in a pre-med track so she can pursue a career in forensic pathology. In the meantime, she’ll be indulging in all her favorite New Orleans things, including bringing her little sister to the Library.
“I feel like the Library has given me a lot of experiences through so many different phases of my life – especially in my internship last summer, which I can’t say enough times how much it helped me grow and learn,” Kaylee said. “My sister is still little – she’s three years old, which is younger than I was when I remember first going to the Library. But I’m excited to share that with her, and I hope it makes as much of an impact on her as it did with me.”
If you or someone you know wants to get involved with the Library like Kaylee, visit teens.nolalibrary.org to explore volunteer options, events, and more. 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 4, 2026
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Since 1957, the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library have been standing up for the Library’s mission through sponsorship, fundraising, and advocacy work.
May 1, 2026
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May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and to celebrate, we’re taking a look through our City Archives & Special Collections to honor the history and heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the New Orleans area.