CURRENT POSITION Director, Young Adult Programs & Services, New York Public Library DEGREE MLIS (in progress, expected 2025), San José State University FAST FACT Because of childhood trips to Baskin-Robbins after library visits, “I associate books with ice cream.” Photo by William Neumann Photography

Where Teens Recharge

For Siva Ramakrishnan, being director of Young Adult Programs and Services for New York Public Library (NYPL)—part of NYPL’s Tisch Youth Education Programs—means giving teenagers the resources they need to grow, whether that involves 3-D printers or a sense of community.

“Over 80 percent of teens coming to some of our major spaces are actually coming because they need a place to hang out after school,” she says. “They not only recharge their phones, but recharge themselves.”

Having a place to go makes a difference. In 2022–23, NYPL’s 89 neighborhood branches served more than 110,000 teens in youth programs that include tech tutorials, career mentoring, and creative opportunities, all part of the Teens 360° initiative she developed collaboratively through staff insights, stakeholder input, and research. Ramakrishnan is particularly enthusiastic about the library’s teen-focused Books for All anti-censorship drive, which includes a teen book club, national author talks facilitated by NYC students, and a writing contest in collaboration with 826 National and Teen Vogue.

The former middle-school teacher has a soft spot for teens. “It’s a developmental age, putting on different hats or personas, exploring not only genres and reading but also different ways of interacting with their community and with each other.”

Put them in a library, and the possibilities are endless, she adds. “Do [you want to do] a book club, or origami, or art class, or learn how to sew?” she says. “I love the learning that can happen.”