If you figure out how to get teens ages 16-20 into libraries without it being community service hours please tell the field of library science because we just don't know. Once they can start getting jobs and get focused on finishing up high school or learning to drive etc they just don't really wanna be in the library and like sometimes they come by for college admissions help but that's about it and honestly I do think that's fine to an extent. They have a lot on their plate and if I only see them when they need an internship to build their resume and college applications then that's also a service I'm able to provide for them. From what I've seen they do genuinely get a lot out of the mentorship and "real world experience" etc. even though it's not like, all the older teens in the city. The truth is that we put a lot of pressure on teens 16-20 and especially if your family is working class you just have much bigger things to be focused on than reading manga or YA novels. We'll be there for them if and then they need us but I understand why working and looking after younger siblings while still trying to finish high school or an associates means they just don't have time for the library.
Ages 15 and younger are absolutely using the library. Mostly they just need a space that feels like it's theirs and they have autonomy there to be themselves and not be constantly monitored by teachers or expected to do anything in particular. Provide a place to sit and read manga and doodle and they will sit and read manga and doodle. Not every teen is hanging out at the library but we're just one choice. The ones we don't see are on sports teams or running teams or doing some other extracurricular or hanging out at some other youth community center and that's okay! We just partner with those orgs to do a visit and talk about library cards, Libby, resources etc.
Children younger than 12 very very much use the library. But I'm not a children's librarian.
In general I think what youth love about libraries is precisely that we don't put pressure on them like schools do. Come or don't. Read what you want or don't. If you talk to the librarian we'll enthusiastically throw comics and high-low novels at you but unlike with school you get to say no thank you and we take no for an answer. Which for young people in this country is actually a big deal. What we provide is a chill atmosphere where they have agency and I think a part of cultivating that is we don't stress about kids being on their phones and not hanging out at the place where seniors do their tax rebate paperwork. Also you know what they're doing on their phones? Reading comics on Libby.

