More than 2000 Young People Participated in Paid Technology Internship and Service Program
See images here. Credit: Gregg Richards.
Brooklyn Public Library celebrated 20 years of Teen Techies last week in a ceremony recognizing the newest graduates of the program along with alumni who returned to celebrate the milestone.
“When Teen Techies started in 2005, we could not have imagined the giant leaps technology would take: the proliferation of social media, smart phones, cloud computing, AI and so much more,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “While our classes change with the times, the core of Teen Techies remains the same: helping young people discover their passions, learn tech skills, make new friends and build a lifelong love of learning.”
Teen Techies is a comprehensive paid internship program which consists of two parts. In the first part, teens participate in a rigorous two-week technology workshop. After successful completion, teens volunteer in the Library a minimum of three hours per week for a period of at least six months, helping patrons with technology or running programs with librarians in everything from basic computer skills to robotics. Over time, Teen Techies have provided an estimated 20,000 hours of service to branches across Brooklyn.
Many graduates of the program have gone on to pursue careers in technology, landing roles with Google, Mozilla and Meta. Some are working as data analysts, UX/UI designers, math educators and software, mechanical, information systems, and cybersecurity engineers.
“The T4 program didn't just give me technical skills—it gave me the foundation to think strategically, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and approach technology as a tool for empowerment. I'm incredibly grateful for the early mentorship that inspired my passion for technology and inspired me to pursue a career at the intersection of business and technology—where I can bridge strategic goals with practical solutions that directly improve the experience of end users,” said Akash Datta, Class of 2018.
In addition to learning about technology, teens gain valuable soft skills including communication and problem solving. “Aside from these technologically related skills, the (Teen Techies) program also gave me better social skills to talk to people more easily. The experience I gained in this program is tremendous. All of these skills are just a part of the whole experience. I met great staff members and volunteers; and I made a lot of new friends,” said Jason Tan, a graduate of the 2015 class.
Teen Techies is made possible through the generous support of Optimum, Google.org, The Hearst Foundation, National Grid Foundation, Macy's, and NYC’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunication through the NYC Connected Communities program.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.