Teenagers are being asked to help shape the future of the Coupeville Library this week.

The library is hosting a “teen board” for local children ages 11-17 to voice opinions on how the library should develop and what they’d like to see offered in the future.

The board will be hosted 3:30-4:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the Coupeville Library.

“We have teens that are frequenting the library for a variety of reasons,” said library manager Leslie Franzen, “and we want to pull teens in that are interested in advising us on what their interests are, what they’d like to see that maybe we could do in the library for them.”

Upcoming library events aimed at teenagers include movie showings and a science program, Franzen said. This teen board will help determine other events the library can host.

Organized by Franzen and teen liaison Kate Poss, this is the first opportunity in about five years for teenagers to share their point of view with the library, according to Franzen.

The first board consisted of about 16 teens, which was “a large number” for a focus group, Franzen said. Still, she hopes that many people will be interested in this board. She’s hoping that there’ll be enough interest to make this a recurring event, with potentially a rotating group sharing their opinions.

“We’re hoping to … get kids that are definitely interested in sticking with it, that are truly interested in becoming involved.”

For this upcoming event, Franzen said they’ve invited teens who frequent the library but that anyone interested in participating should contact her or Poss at the library.

“Teens need their voice,” Franzen said. “They’re an active part of our community, not just in the library, but throughout the community.”

Only one board is scheduled at the moment, though. Franzen said that making it a recurring event would depend on the level of interest the teenage community shows.

“Teens have always been an active and welcome group in our community, throughout the community,” Franzen said, “so it makes sense to have them be involved.

“We’ve got a culture here that supports our teens.”

n For more information about the teen board, visit www.sno-isle.org