Taber Library Director Libby O’ Neill is hoping to devise a future lineup of teen-centric events to draw more of them in to take advantage of all that the library has to offer. What they need first, though, are some suggestions from the local teenage cohort.
“We are really trying to get more school-aged kids to come into the library,” said O’ Neill. “We hope to have a lot more programs for them coming up.”
The library hosted an afternoon program of henna painting on March 1 with Heather Cault-Nulton, professional henna artist, who gave each guest their own henna tattoo.
The art of henna has been practiced for over 5,000 years in countries like India, Pakistan, and in regions of Africa and the Middle East.
The paint is derived from Lawsonia inermis, known as the henna tree, mignonette tree, or Egyptian privet, a flowering plant of over 12 feet high. Historically, the paint has been used for body adornment, sunblock, a topical skin ointment, and its cooling properties in hot desert regions.
The paint stains the skin for one to three weeks and is safe to use, being vegetable-based and natural.
“It’s quite popular,” said O’ Neill. “We had about 13 people, which is great, and we really don’t get teens into the library all that often.”
Those 13 teens, said O’ Neill, were a pretty good start.
“We’re always looking for suggestions,” said O’ Neill. She hopes more kids, teens, and their parents will reach out to the library with suggestions on what to offer next for teens in Marion and Tri-Town.
The henna program was funded by a grant awarded to the library from the Island Foundation. For more information about upcoming events, or to suggest one, visit www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org or call the library at 508-748-1252.
By Jean Perry
