Teens make their "mark": teens eagerly use markers designed for glass to autograph the Nolen Library windows. Photo by Don Pollard
«Nolen Library has been bustling with activity as of late. On Friday, June 5, the second Teens Take the Met event brought over two thousand New York City high school students to the Museum for all sorts of fun activities. Museum educators and more than forty community partners came together to encourage teens to create, share, and connect with art—and create, share, and connect they most certainly did, making this one of the most lively, energetic, and fun-filled nights of the summer here at the Met.»
Nolen Library staff and a cadre of teen assistants were prepared for the takeover, providing dozens of colorful washable window markers, board games, puzzles, and cards all offered to the beat of the "Loud Library."
Teens joyfully compete in a lively game of Jenga while others concentrate on assembling a jigsaw puzzle. Photo by Naomi Niles
One of our partners for the evening, Brooklyn Public Library, guided students in creating an amazing array of avatars. Photo by Don Pollard
Then, on Tuesday, June 9, there were two more great celebrations: the Met participated in the thirty-seventh annual Museum Mile Festival, which coincided with the opening the ever-popular P.S. Art 2015: Celebrating the Creative Spirit of New York City Kids exhibition in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education.
Nolen Library transformed into a #MetKids lounge for the evening, providing the opportunity for families to preview #MetKids, the Met's new digital feature made for, with, and by kids.
Families are introduced to #MetKids in Nolen Library during the Museum Mile Festival
If you missed it, here is a quick introduction to what's ahead for #MetKids, and be sure to stay tuned to the #MetKids page for news and information about the September 20 launch event!
This series of after-hours events wrapped up on Friday, June 12, with a Career Labs program led by the 2014–15 high school interns. The studio was arranged like a career fair, with the interns at tables ready to engage visitors in creative ways that allowed them to share the skills and experiences they have gained. Watson Library hosted two interns this semester: Brianna Thompson, a senior at Curtis High School in Staten Island, and Kenia Flores, a junior at the Cinema School in the Bronx.
Brianna showcases her project, a learning activity demonstrating the importance of Library of Congress call numbers. Photo by Naomi Niles
Kenia shows examples of how libraries successfully use social media and a word-search game she prepared using library terminology. Photo by Anna Dilliard
Whatever your age or interests, we invite you to come by and experience Nolen Library for yourself! We are open for all Museum visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Find us on the ground floor in the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education.
The Family Map is made possible by The Aronson Family Foundation. Illustration by John Kerschbaum