“With great power, comes great responsibility… “

Last night I dreamt bombs, one after another, compressed and yet violent. The bombs in my dreams are always nuclear and always scary, but the bombs from last night were not. Like any loud explosions that take place, there were repercussions, and whether they were good or bad, remains to be seen. I awoke, the dream, confusingly unfinished.  
 
“Our teen program is in jeopardy”, was the first thing that crossed my mind when I was told Teen Scene could not continue in its current form, Saturday nights after hours. I had to understand this is a “higher up” decision and it doesn’t reflect on anything that I’ve accomplished in the last 6 years of my program. It has to do with “liability”.
  
Now that’s a big word that needs to be understood. As Dictionary.com states, it means:
  
1. The state of being liable.
2. a. Something for which one is liable; an obligation, responsibility, or debt.
2. b. liabilities - The financial obligations entered in the balance sheet of a business enterprise.
3. Something that holds one back; a handicap.
4. Likelihood.
 
For my teens, they would believe that the 3rd definition would apply to that word. And naturally, as a teen advisor, I will have to talk them down from it. In defense of our company, it is something to simply make sure people are safe, as well as the building which the library resides in. And defense of the teens that participated in Coachella Library’s Teen Scene programs, they were in every sense of the word, responsible.
  
This adolescent program had a humble beginning that was seeded in the employee lounge with just 4 teens and Miss Beth (current branch manager of LAQ). Now, its a network of over 30 fans, Roxanne, my page, and I. The kids relished in the freedom within these walls, away from younger siblings and adults. In all the years we had them, not one incident was reported. We had no accidents, no violent outbursts, no petty thievery not even a bloody nose. We took precautions and had permission slips that insured rides and responsibilities. Teens were told to participate in order to be here, to respect staff and to help with the clean up. We had over 40 programs with over 260 teens attending.  
 
For me, it’s a feather not only in my cap, but in the cap of the Coachella Library.
 
Naturally, it will take some time to get over it. I tend to take things personal, and being told that a program that had a good run can no longer be…
 
I must take it with a grain of salt. Like the effects it had on my teens, Teen Scene improved me, educated me and though I may smile and talk less these days, I will be who am in the end - and that’s a person who cares highly for my library – and my teens. Eventually, the flowers will bloom.
 
And as for the dream? It may have been violent, but I believe of this: only good things can come of it. I am indeed scared for what the future holds, what lies out in the crater – but that doesn’t mean I am not prepared: my bomb shelter has already been built and I am well stocked.
 
We will move into the aftermath phase. I will need to consult with my teen advisors to see what we can do to overcome a big loss. If we ever do have Teen Scene again, it will be in a new shape and form, and we know any change is challenging, but it's something we will look forward to with difusers in hand.
 
And hopefully, whatever program happens, it will contain the sounds of laughter rather than a big BOOM!!!
 
Until next time,
 
~Miss Sue