“Libraries are the last place where people can simply exist,” says Antonia Krupicka-Smith, Director of the Council Bluffs Public Library. For decades, Council Bluffs Public Library has offered more than books—it has provided a space where youth connected to Children’s Square, along with families across the community, can feel safe, explore interests and develop life skills in a low-risk environment that fosters curiosity and belonging. This year, the library is being honored with a Jason Award for its unwavering commitment to children, teens and families.
At the heart of the library’s work is understanding the unique needs of young adults. Antonia, who holds a dual degree in psychology and sociology with a focus on young adult development and a master’s in library and information science, explains that while children’s growth is largely visible—learning to walk, talk or hold a pencil—young adult development is much less obvious. Teens and young adults may appear physically capable and able to function in everyday life, but their cognitive and social growth continues well into their mid-20s.
“There’s not really an ecosystem in society designed to support young adults through this development,” Antonia says. “We have more spaces in our communities for babies than we do for 14- to 26-year-olds. For kids, development is very visual—did they get the pincer grasp? Are they making eye contact? Can they write? Can they balance on one leg? But once someone reaches their teens, they can typically control their body, and suddenly people stop paying attention to their mental and social growth.”
This stage of life is when young adults learn to think beyond themselves, understand their role in a community and practice social and emotional skills. “They don’t have to fully develop these skills to get a job, drive a car or survive in society—but if we want them to contribute meaningfully to our communities, they do need to develop them,” she explains.
Antonia emphasizes that society’s perceptions of teenagers can be a barrier. “We talk about how adorable kids are, but once they reach a certain age, we label them as obnoxious or difficult. That kind of language shapes expectations and can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. But if we approach this period as a step in their journey to becoming something great, we can provide guidance and opportunities for them to develop the skills they need to thrive.”
This is where public libraries, and spaces like Council Bluffs Public Library’s Teen Central, become essential. By providing a low-risk, high-reward environment, teens can explore decision-making, communication, problem-solving and empathy in ways that only an unstructured, safe environment can offer—experiencing situations they can’t fully replicate in a classroom. “Spaces like Teen Central let youth explore their interests, interact with trusted adults, and understand the consequences of their actions in a safe environment,” Antonia explains. “It’s how they learn to think beyond themselves, build relationships and prepare to contribute meaningfully to society.”
The library’s partnership with Children’s Square supports this mission by offering teens and families a place to gather, decompress and grow. Even small interactions can become meaningful touchpoints for youth. “We had no idea that one program—whether it was a lock-in or an after-school program—could become a safety net for you, a place where you could decompress, finish that stress cycle, and move forward,” Antonia explains. “I know we are that for a lot of youth and teenagers in our community because that’s what they come back and share with us.”
Council Bluffs Public Library also offers a broad range of programming for all ages—from story times and maker space projects to history workshops and book clubs—and takes its resources out into the community through schools, care facilities and public events. The library’s mission is simple: to provide access to discovery, enrichment and connection. For teens and young adults, this access is transformative.
“People can just be here. They can sit, explore, ask questions and learn about themselves and the world,” Antonia says. “That’s what makes libraries so magical.” By providing a space where young adults can safely experiment, explore and develop critical life skills, Council Bluffs Public Library is not only supporting children connected to Children’s Square but fostering a generation capable of building stronger communities.
The Jason Award recognizes Council Bluffs Public Library for creating a foundation where curiosity, growth and belonging are not optional—they’re built into the very structure of the library. For young adults, this support can make all the difference: helping them grow into individuals who don’t just navigate society, but actively shape it for the better.
Show your support! Celebrate the Council Bluffs Public Library and other community champions at this year’s Jason Awards on Saturday, November 15th, starting at 6 PM. Don’t wait—the RSVP deadline is October 29th.
