June 24, 2026
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The New Orleans African American Museum is the newest addition to the the Library’s Culture Pass Program, which allows cardholders to access local attractions for free.
Teen Voices: Israel on Feeling Safe at the Library
K'Sean Clark
K'sean Clark is the Library's 2025 YouthForce NOLA Intern.
Israel is a high school graduate and a frequent teen visitor at the Main Library. Israel likes the quiet atmosphere at the Library because it helps him concentrate with studying and reading books. He’s been going to the Library since he was 6 years old.
To Israel, the Library is like a second family. The Library staff is always rooting for Israel even when he doubts himself. They have helped Israel through plenty of hard times, and because of that, he’s thankful.
Isreal recently sat down with K’sean, the Library’s summer teen intern, to talk about his experiences in the Library as a safe space to grow, learn, play, and be himself.
Check out their conversation — which has been edited for length and clarity — below:
Q: What does the Library mean to you?
A: The Library means hope, joy, fun, being cool, and kind. I love the Library with all my heart. I literally tell people the Library is my boyfriend. The people of the Library were the first people that I felt genuinely loved by. This is my passion, it’s all I’ve been around since I was like 6 or 7. Besides my trans queer youth group, the Library was like my first safe space.
Q: How has the Library supported you?
A: Maria [the Teen Tech Center Coordinator] has known me since 6th, maybe 5th grade. She basically made me sit there and do civics every time I came in, that was the first thing on her mind. I didn’t like it at the time, but I’m glad she actually pushed me and made me sit there. All of them were rooting for me when I wasn’t rooting for myself. If I didn’t do the work, then I would not have my high school diploma.
Q: What do you like to do at the Library?
A: There’s a lot of stuff to do here. Sometimes I like to read. Sometimes I go into the Teen Tech Center. I like to use the sound booth a lot and try to make songs. I like to play the drums. I put on an artist that I like and will start drumming along with it. I volunteer for events like movie and pizza night.
I like helping the community and the kids that come in here, because the staff did that for me when I was younger and I want to pass that down.
Q: What would you tell your peers who don’t go to the Library?
A: First, if you are a local teen in New Orleans or Louisiana, come to the Teen Tech Center! You will love it. They have this wonderful kid’s side that I used to love to go to when I was not able to use the computers in the teen section. Basically, come on Saturday because that’s when the games come out.
Another thing, go to your local Library because there are events that a lot of people don’t know about. There’s so many things happening at all the neighborhood Libraries, so you should just stop in and see what’s up. You’ll probably find something cool.
Israel’s story shows the overall support that the Library provides. Israel was going through really tough times and was fortunate that the Library was there to help him get through it. The Library is a safe and protective space for Israel. He also has fun inside the Teen Tech Center. Israel’s story demonstrates the emotional support and comfort the Library gives. His experiences show that the Library is a safe space for teens that are going through something and feel safe and welcomed.
For more information about the Teen Tech Center, visit bbttc.nolalibrary.org. Explore the Library’s programming calendar at events.nolalibrary.org.
June 18, 2026
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As we celebrate Juneteenth, African American Resource Librarian Kim Coleman presents a timeline to better understand the road to emancipation.
June 16, 2026
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Born in Taiwan and raised in New Orleans, sora is a singer and pop artist aiming to be the queer Asian representation he craved in his youth.