Spill the Tea, Not Your Data: Period Privacy Matters
There’s a very specific kind of horror that comes with getting your period at the absolute worst, unexpected, and let's face it: unwanted time. You get it right before first period when you're already at school, or in the middle of plans you were really excited about. It comes when you're at the pool or on a school trip, maybe when you're on a date or in gym class. One second you’re living your life, the next you’re mentally inventorying pads and tampons, checking your outfit, and asking a friend to do the universal “can you look at the back of my pants?” inspection like it’s a military…
Five Book Recommendations for Mental Health Awareness Month
Did you know May is Mental Health Awareness Month? It has been observed in the U.S. since May 1949. It was founded by Mental Health America to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote mental health education.One amazing way to celebrate MHAM is to read books about teens with mental health challenges. Check out these five books below:Darius the Great is Not Okay: Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand: All Nitasha's parents want is…
Digital Spring Cleaning: Refresh Your Online Life
Love in Brooklyn: What It Means This February and Every Month
Hey BKLYN Future readers, it’s Young Adult Librarian Shelda here.February usually comes with heart shaped candy, playlists full of love songs, and a lot of talk about romance. But in Brooklyn, love doesn’t show up in just one way. How people experience romance, affection, and connection is shaped by culture, community, family, and personal choice.If you’ve grown up in Brooklyn, you’ve probably seen this firsthand. Love here isn’t only about dating. It often looks like family gatherings that last all day, music playing in the background, food being shared, and people checking in on each other…
From the Interns: It’s okay not to be okay
Tasmim H.
Content Warning: This post discusses sexual assault, trauma, and healing. Some parts may be heavy or triggering, especially for survivors. Please take care of yourself while reading, and know that support resources are shared at the end if you need them. Speak Up: Creating a Safe Space to Talk About Sexual Assault & HealingEvery day we hear messed-up things like, “If she didn’t dress like that…” or “Why was she even there?” But let’s be real — none of that causes assault. Clothes don’t cause it. Being friendly doesn’t cause it. Existing doesn’t cause it. Sexual assault happens…
Mental Health Awareness Month
Dearest Bookworms,As the school year dwindles down and those pesky exams loom closer take the time to prioritize yourself. Like any observation and awareness we post about, mental health is a year round priority. We hope you find some comfort and knowledge in these books, and know if you ever need anything the library is always here to help! Check out the programs the library is offering to support mental health and wellness: https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?event=true&search=mental+healthLavender clouds : comics about neurodivergence and mental health by Bex Ollerton In Lavender…
Three May Celebrations: a booklist
May is a very significant month in terms of celebrations. It's Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, AND Jewish American Heritage Month. In honor of these three observances, check out this booklist below:AANHPI Heritage Month:Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend by Brandon Hoàng: As one of only two Asian Americans in his school and often left out, Gary jumps at the chance of breaking into the school's popular clique by befriending the most beautiful girl in school, but as he comes closer to achieving his goal, Gary also risks…
Winter Solstice: It's the Return of the Light!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
When my now 18-year-old and 16-year-old kiddos were in elementary school, their teachers would have Winter Solstice parties just before the start of December break. When I was in elementary school from 1977-1984, we had Christmas parties and lit Hanukkah candles. We didn’t learn about “Winter Solstice,” whatever that was. I assumed that schools had chosen to recognize this scientific phenomena in order to be more inclusive of the different cultures that compromised the student bodies of New York City. It wasn’t until I started reading up on earth celebrations earlier this year that I…
Facing My Last Year of High School
Daniella
Every school year brings a new set of challenges and apprehensions, but no school year feels as stressful as the last year of high school. Many seniors find themselves standing on the precipice of adulthood and facing a life outside the structures of public school. While senior year brings many joys, it can bring some concerns. Daniella, a Story Teen Intern at the Central Branch, took some time out of her busy schedule to offer a few thoughts about her senior year. --Bklyn Future This school year will be my last year as a high school student, and I’ll be transitioning into adulthood.…
Sexplanations for You!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
There is so much information about sex, but there aren’t many clear answers. Is gender and virginity really a social construct? Does sexuality exist on a spectrum? Am I normal? Jokes about kinks or accusations of grooming and sexualization are all over social media, and most of these comments are by folks who neither have the experience nor the knowledge of what those terms mean. The LGBTQIA+acronym seems to grow longer by the day while people are declaring themselves ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous before they’ve even had their first kiss. How does one cut through the…
New Year, Same You and That's Ok!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Counting down to a new year makes me anxious especially in the age of social media. I’m overwhelmed by all the year-in-review countdowns--top 10 songs, top 10 TikTok trends, top 10 most searched terms on Google! UGH! Even worse are the messages of “New Year, New You." They feel like a personal attack. Did I live up to my goals? Do I have any new goals? Do I have to work harder, read more, take better IG photos, eat better, vote, save the world? All this new year resolution stuff is just too much pressure. When did this even start? According to History.com and Almanac.com, new year…
Support and Community for LGBTQ, Jewish and BIPOC Teens
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
The mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs is a further reminder of the how scary and isolating the world can be for LGBTQ+teens. To add to the trauma, people around the country are also banning books that affirm the existence of the LGBTQ+community. Recent antisemitic comments by celebrities highlights an overall rise in antisemitism in the United States that have many Jewish people fearing for their safety. We have learned over the past two years the importance of standing up and supporting those in marginalized communities who are experiencing primary or second-hand trauma because of…
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we will be sharing resources: information, books and programs all about mental health for children. Information: Mental health is important at all ages! The CDC notes that mental health in childhood means "reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems." Some ways to help children cope with various things is to talk openly about feelings, practice transitions (songs can help with this!) and explore mindfulness practices like breathing exercises. Books:…
