Many people wouldn’t expect a dance party in a library, but at the Hays Public Library Young Adult Department, it’s only one of many things librarians do to draw teens in.

They hold themed days and provide crafts and snacks, but of course, they also draw teens in with books. Rows and rows of young adult books line the shelves and they even feature the most popular books or the award winning books out front.

According to the Hays Public Library Facbook, during Teen Read Week, Oct. 17-24, each day had a different theme and snack. Monday was line dancing, including the Electric Slide and the Cupid Shuffle; Tuesday was Rock Band and DJ/Guitar Hero and so on. They even had the author of newly published novel, “Toenail Lemonade”, Jennifer L. Jones, in for an interview on Tuesday. After the interview she stayed and signed free copies of her novel.

Some teens go just to hang out and do their homework.

“There is free internet and it is a good place to study,” junior Zane Swafford said.

But how they draw the teens in is the unique thing about the Hays Public Library.

“We try to use as many different media outlets to reach as many teens as possible and let them know what we have at the library,” assistant librarian Emma Detrixhe said. “We also try to do really involved activities to bring a diverse group to the library.”

While Facebook may be discouraged in school, at the library it’s encouraged.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but one of the easiest ways to get in touch with teens is through Facebook,” Detrixhe said. “We have a Facebook and try to add as many teens as possible to let them know what we are doing here at the library.”

But sometimes there are even less high-tech ways of letting drawing teens in.

“We use word-of-mouth to get some teens excited about something,” assistant librarian Scott Rader said. “We try to get just a few teens jazzed about something and then they go and tell their friends. We also try to do really interesting activities.”

Sometime it isn’t the activities or the books that draw teens in: it’s the money. Senior Megan Herndon actually works at in the children’s department of the library.

“It’s better than working at fast-food restaurants,” Herndon said. “ I started in the children’s department because I love little kids, but now I work in the young adults department and I really like it. I’ve had a lot of jobs, but this is my favorite.”

But many just come here for the atmosphere.

“I like to read and there are really cool people here,” freshman Samantha Smith said.