The Jaffrey Public Library’s new youth services librarian, Kayla Charlonne, is starting her new role with new youth programs aimed at drawing more teens back to the library.

On the job for about a month, Charlonne is completing a master’s degree in library science through Valdosta State University’s online program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a writing concentration and a minor in elementary education from UMass Dartmouth.

Charlonne said she began her career teaching English overseas before working as a library technician at the Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon, Mass.

She said the position became available at a time when she was trying to figure out her career path, and she was encouraged by her mother to apply.

“My mom said, ‘You should apply at the library. You would love it.’ And she was right,” Charlonne said. She said that even though she’s not teaching anymore, she still loves working with children, and even more so in a library setting than in a classroom.

“I like the freedom of being able to do fun programs with the kids, rather than being a classroom teacher. I think there’s a bit more flexibility,” Charlonne said.

As she finished her degree, Charlonne said she was looking to advance her career when the Jaffrey position opened. The town also has family ties for her — her grandfather is from Jaffrey, and she spent time in the area as a child.

“It was close to home, and it was my dream job. I feel very fortunate that I was chosen for this job,” Charlonne said.

Charlonne said she’s impressed by how active local children already are in the library and the resources available to support youth programs.

“I think I’m most excited about the cool things this library has for kids. There’s a lot more space here to do youth programs,” Charlonne said.

Charlonne said she’s already planning new programs for youths. Next month, the library will launch a new “Curiosity Club,” which will run weekly on Tuesdays. The club will explore a wide range of topics — anything that sparks curiosity, from science to art.

This winter, Charlonne is also planning a five-part teen series on banned books, supported by grant funding. The first session will pair a discussion of “Ban This Book” by Alan Gratz with an art project led by a local artist. Other activities include banned-book themed scavenger hunts, an escape room, and a “speed dating” event in which participants will read a banned book, and then have a minute to tell another person about the book, before moving on to the next person. The final event is a discussion with an author or advocate about banned books.

Charlonne has been involved with the library’s existing youth programs, including the new Lego SPIKE Club, where participants build and program Lego creations with mechanical parts, and the library’s various children’s book clubs.

Charlonne said she hopes to create more programs to connect with tweens and teens.

“I know that’s the age group where things can tend to drop off, and that’s my particular niche group that I’ve worked with the most,” Charlonne said.

She said her goal will include developing more teen-catered programming and doing more outreach to the schools.

Out of work, Charlonne said she enjoys reading, particularly comic books and ‘zines (a form of self-published magazine on a given topic), and making and crafting her own embroidery patterns.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.