FAIRHOPE, Ala. — On Thursday,. June 25, the Fairhope Public Library had a Game Frenzy Night for teenagers in the Youth Activity Room. Among the games played were Scene It, electronic Monopoly and Apples to Apples.

This was the library’s second teen event this month. During the first Twilight Night, held June 11, teenagers were able to watch the movie, “Twilight,” answer trivia questions about the book, and dress up as “Twilight” characters. Both events are part of an overall goal to increase the use of the library by teenagers.

“The most difficult group of kids to get interested in the library are middle to high school kids,” said Tamara Dean, FPL director of youth services. “To get them more involved, we want to make it more fun with game and movie nights.”

Dean, 59, says many libraries are doing similar programs around the country, and she wanted to try to get a similar program in Fairhope. She found help in her objective when she hired 19-year old Ashton Taylor in January. Taylor now works part time at the library to help organize events for teenagers.

“Ashton has done a great job of transforming our youth program,” Dean said. “She has a commitment and dedication to young people.”

Taylor organized Twilight Night and the Game Frenzy night so far this summer. She says nothing is decided on how long she will stay, though.

“This job is very fast-paced, and I love it,” Taylor said. “I have a passion for working with young people.”

This was not the first time that the public library had a program for teenagers. According to Dean, the same type of program existed last summer, but it fell apart during the school year. She says she hopes to continue the program this time through the school year.

“It is important that we regroup with these kids often enough to talk about our future goals with them," said Dean. “We really want teens to be interested in the library.”

A meeting is scheduled in July, she said, for the teenagers to talk about what they would like to see for the school year.

“We want to make the library fun for teenagers,” Taylor said. “It would be nice to turn the teen area into something similar to a coffee shop.”

Emily Flechas, 15, was part of the youth program last year, and she says its future looks a lot brighter this year.

“Last year was the first time we tried this, and the turnout is much better this year so far,” she said. “This group has a lot more high school kids in it, and they seem to have many more activites planned.”

According to Dean, getting teenagers involved with the library is part of a larger plan to increase all youth activities in the library. She has programs for kids of all different age groups.

“If you can get kids interested in the library and reading at a young age, it gives them an edge when they get older,” Dean said. “To keep that up, we want to do a different thing every night.”

On Monday, the library has a movie night with popcorn for ages 6 and up. There is a story time on Tuesday and it is for toddlers ages 2 and younger. There is a summer reading program plus a special activity for children ages 3 to 11 on Wednesday. Thursday will be teen night, though it has not been held every week, and on Friday, a Grand Read is held where kids from all ages can read in the Young Readers’ Room in the library.

Dean says she hopes to continue improving reading skills for kids of all ages, which is why she plans to increase the library’s youth programs.

“We want to acclomate young people to coming to the library,” Dean said. “Hopefully, we can create lifelong readers.”

All FPL programs are presented on a first-come, first-served basis. For safety reasons, an adult must remain in the library with all children 12 and younger; children 6 and younger must have an adult present with them. For more information on library programs for children and youth, contact the library at 929-1465 or visit online at www.fairhopelibrary.org.