The Edge, the Library’s center for teens in grades 7-12, opened on December 14, 2013. We celebrated this tenth anniversary (or, tenth Edgeversary) at our December After Hours event. The White Plains High School Songwriters Club hosted a lively open mic event. We had games of many kinds, from chess to the PlayStation 5, and teens tested out a new racing setup with Austin in the Igloo virtual reality space. Local teaching artist Joan Lloyd led an earring-making workshop, with teens making pairs of earrings to donate to a women’s shelter–along with pairs to keep, of course. We were honored with the presence of several former Edge staff members. We finished the evening with an ice cream sundae bar. 

I want to take the opportunity of this momentous occasion to say thank you to the Library administration, the Friends and the Foundation, and the City for prioritizing White Plains teens with their strong support for the Edge. To all the kids who have spent time in the Edge, thank you for sharing your interests, jokes, problems, and ideas with us. Getting to know all of you has been an honor and a joy. Also, an enthusiastic shout out to all the fantastic colleagues that have helped shape the Edge over the past ten years: Erik and Austin, Lilian, Josh and Lauren, Kelly, Donnie, Jewel, Jen, Cassandra, Catherine, Alan, Abby, Jennilee, Alain, Elijah, Patrick, Steven, Priya, Gabi, Jacob, and all our colleagues in Youth Services and the rest of the library that have supported the Edge in so many ways over the years. We’ve led thousands of programs, tried many ideas, formed meaningful partnerships, learned quite a bit, refereed countless games of Super Smash Bros, made some cool stuff, gotten to know truly wonderful teens, and had so much fun. Here’s to the next decade!