Teen Voices: Ayanna on Library Programming

K'Sean Clark

K'sean Clark is the Library's 2025 YouthForce NOLA Intern.

Ayanna Hughes is getting ready to start her freshman year at a new school. She’s 14 years old and loves sewing, art, reading, and exploring different programs in the Library. In June, Ayanna created and led a mending workshop to help teens reduce waste and to promote DIY fashion because, in her words, “It’s just pretty, who wouldn’t want flowers on their jeans?”

The idea came to Ayanna last year after attending a Library program where she learned to sew a belt-bag. When she approached Amy Wander, head of Youth Programming at the Library, she was “pleasantly surprised,” that her pitch was taken seriously.

To Ayanna, the Library is a quiet, welcoming space where she can let her creative outlet run free, with the full support of the community.

Ayana spends most of her time at Main Library’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center, an interest-based learning environment for ages 13-18. She also enjoys visiting Alvar Library, where she can easily walk to from her house.

Ayanna recently sat down with K’sean, the Library’s summer teen intern, to talk about her experiences in the Library and her thoughts on leading a program she pitched, planned, and hosted this summer.

Check out their conversation — which has been edited for length and clarity — below:

Q: What does the Library mean to you?

A: I think the Library is a quiet and very welcoming space. The staff are really welcoming, kind and very helpful. There were a lot of different friends that I made while creating my own program, and attending other ones like the Dungeons and Dragons club. Everyone here is just so welcoming.

Q: What did it mean to you to host a program at the Library?

A: It was quite lovely. I feel like I was being really helpful. I like the idea of giving back to the community. I taught them how to mend old clothes, and how to patch up holes, and get rid of stains. It was very helpful to reduce waste and spending.

The Library helped me give back to my community, and that felt really good. Plus, I actually ended up getting paid to host and design the program, which is something I wasn’t expecting at all. I was just excited that I had an idea that the Library liked and thought was worth-while, and was perfectly happy to be doing it for free.

When we found out that it was something I’d be paid for, my mom and I were quite surprised, but in a good way. It felt good to be paid for something that I thought of and planned, for the most part, by myself.

Q:What are some memorable experiences you had throughout the Library?

A: The market space they set up a while ago was quite enjoyable. Seeing how so many other teenagers make art and sell, it was lovely. I was there for my workshop, so I didn’t have anything to sell, but it was nice to see other people’s work.

I like the summer reading that I have to do for school. It’s lovely being able to borrow stuff without having to buy anything, because I may not have the money for one.

Like I said, I’ve also been able to make a lot of new friends at the Library, and that’s probably the most meaningful experience that I’ve had here, overall. It feels like a place where I can be myself, and being around other kids in a place like that makes it easier to connect with each other, I think.

Q: What would you tell other teens about the Library?

A: I’d probably talk about the Best Buy Teen Tech Center first.

Not everyone is an avid reader, but even if you’re not, there’s so much to do there, like crafts, programs, computers, and just a place to hang out. It’s a really welcoming space.

For people who do like reading, the Library has different formats, like audiobooks, which might be more accessible for some folks.

I’d also definitely talk about the programs. A lot of people don’t even know they exist or don’t think they’re that good, but honestly, they’re really well put together. There’s just so much available, and the staff are super helpful.

It’s also a great place to learn new things and try stuff out, like sewing, mending, even making buttons or running your own workshop, like I was lucky enough to do this year.

Local teen artists and crafters sell their wares at the Library's first Teens Create Market at Main Library in June, where Ayanna led a mending workshop.

Ayanna’s experiences at the Library show how important and helpful it can be for teens. For the past two years, the Library has been a place where she can read, relax, be creative, and connect with others.

She has joined fun programs like the Dungeons & Dragons program at Nix Library, and even made her own. She taught others how to mend and decorate their own clothing. This gave her the chance to share her skills and help others in her community.

Ayanna enjoys spending time in the Best Buy Teen Tech Center and appreciates how friendly and welcoming the staff are. She also brings her younger siblings to the Library, where they enjoy reading and using the computers. She believes the Library is a great place for reading and letting your creative outlet thrive.

To other teens, Ayanna would say that the Library has something for everyone.

“Whether you love books, want to try a new hobby, or just need a quiet place to hang out, the Library is a great place to be,” she said.

To explore the Library’s programming calendar, visit events.nolalibrary.org or download the NOLALibrary app. For more information about the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, stop by the second floor of Main Library between 1 and 5:30pm, Tuesdays-Thursdays or from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Or, visit their website, bbttc.nolalibrary.org.

If you or someone you know wants to get involved with the Library like Ayanna, 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.