The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library hosted its annual “Teen FanFest” featuring an animatronic Freddy Fazbear from “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” a gaming truck, face painting, a live performance from the Golden Valley High School Theatrical Troupe and more at the library on Friday afternoon.
Teenagers, young children and adults were welcomed to the library to enjoy an afternoon of fun.
Madelyn Blaha, teen services librarian at the Valencia branch, said that since libraries operate as a third space for teens to socialize, it is one of the main reasons they put on the event every year.
“It’s really to help push that literacy initiative and make the teens aware of (the fact the library is like), ‘Hey, we’re here for you.’ They can socialize and make those bonds across school boundaries. We’ve had teens come to programs and make friends with each other. And those are opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise,” Blaha said.
Blaha emphasized that teens do not have many spaces where they can just be themselves without the pressure of performing a certain or way doing work, giving them that freedom at the library.
She added that seeing the community come out for FanFest is great.
“I think at the end of the day, we are the people we have in our lives, and we are our community, and I think the library is a great vehicle for that. So having the library exist is, it’s more than just books. It’s more than just coming in and doing computer work. You can form relationships and friendships with the library. And I think Fanfest really encompasses that,” Blaha said.
Robin Dalton and her son, Thiago, 9, were coming to the library to return books and get some new ones when they stumbled upon FanFest.
Thiago was playing Fortnite in the game truck and having a blast.
Robin said they walked around the booths that had pizza and “Chug Jugs” – a drink made popular in Fortnite, and the large Freddy Fazbear before hitting the game truck.
“I think it’s really cool. It’s cool for us who are normally going to come here anyways (and) to have something that’s more engaging and a different kind of experience. And I think it’s cool, maybe, for folks who came specifically for this, to see what kind of different activities and things they have at the library,” Robin said.
Robin said the most important thing about libraries is how much information they have for people and because it provides an incredible and free community resource.
“So, it’s something that’s available to anybody, regardless of income, status, or anything like that … I think what’s really cool about these types of activities that they throw is (that) it’s a way for folks in the community to come together instead of just, you could easily sit at home on your iPad or stare at the TV, but this is a way for everybody to get together and connect,” Robin said.
Thiago simply said he was having fun and that it feels good to be a part of the community.
Jacob Magallon, 14, came to FanFest with his friends and played cards.
When asked why he decided to come, he said his friend told him to come and hang out at the library.
“I thought it’d just be nice to see my friends again after a while,” Magallon said.
Magallon added that it is important for community spaces to host events because it brings people together to connect, and that is what it is for.
For video, visit https://youtu.be/blXXl1ikHuk?si=_uGdfDBeZpr7yV2W.
