Crenshaw Middle School 7th and 8th graders examining 3D renderings of downtown Canton with Stark Library staff.
Crenshaw Middle Schoolers Collaborate with Stark Library Re|imagine
Stark Library’s Re|imagine 2.0 project envisions a new Main Library in downtown Canton, serving as a center for learning and knowledge, and a “third space” where people gather to relax, imaginations soar, and creativity grows.
Learning, imagination, and creativity are the sparks, fuel, and engine that power middle schoolers, so we partnered our Crenshaw Middle Schoolers in Creator Club with Stark Library to bring youth voice to their research and planning process.
Over 8 weeks, Crenshaw Middle Schoolers provided feedback, generated ideas, and pitched plans for how to make spaces in the new library a vibrant, welcoming hub that serves the entire community.
Crenshaw Middle Schoolers building Lego prototypes of their library design ideas
Activating Youth Voice in Research
What would it look like if we involved middle schoolers in community development and research? We think it would look like a thriving community! Because we believe middle schoolers’ voices bring value to community conversations today, not just some distant day in the future.
Youth Participatory Action Research is an innovative approach for promoting positive community change and youth development. Using principles from this approach, through an 8-week collaboration, Crenshaw students were introduced to library operations and an overview of the Re|imagine 2.0 project taking place from 2024-2028.
Over those 8 weeks, middle schoolers provided feedback, generated ideas, and pitched plans for how to make spaces in the new library a vibrant, welcoming hub that serves the entire community.
Some of the questions they explored included:
- How can we…
- explore the current library’s services and buildings?
- create a draft design for a new library tech and maker space?
- create a draft design for a teen space that kids want to visit and has resources kids need?
- draft designs for a usable and inviting outdoor space?
LEARN MORE ABOUT RE|IMAGINE 2.0
Partner with TomTod
Are you inspired by these middle schoolers?
Do you want to partner with a group of middle schoolers making real community change?
Whether you run a business, volunteer on a board, or just enjoy living and working in the community, your perspective is valuable to middle schoolers like these.
Fill out the survey below to let us know what community you’d like to be involved in, your availability, and contact info. We’ll be in touch about future opportunities to answer any questions and tell you exactly what to expect!