Ten Austin teens just took on a paid job with a rare description: help decide how the Austin Public Library serves people their age.
They’re the 2026–2027 Teen Library Fellows — the newest cohort of a program that puts teens, not adults planning on their behalf, at the center of decisions about their own libraries. Over the next nine months, they’ll meet regularly, build community action projects from the ground up, help run events, and gather monthly at the Central Library to sharpen the work.
With financial support from The Library Foundation, the Austin Public Library launched the program last year.
This second cohort were chosen from a pool of more than 300 applicants. From Elgin to Leander, public school to homeschool, they arrive with different starting points and one thing in common: something they want to change for teens where they live.
Meet the 2026–2027 cohort:
- Ava Ramon — Elgin High School
- Charlie Vance — Homeschool
- Evan Simpson — TEA
- Hailey Parris — Homeschool
- Iixe Hernandez — Akins High School
- Jeremiah Patino Garcia — Liberal Arts & Science Academy
- Jocelyn Lumbreras — Akins High School
- Leilani Chin — Vandegrift High School
- Lillian Blanchard — Founders Classical Academy
- Sadie Sarrat — Liberal Arts & Science Academy
The fellowship pays each teen $21 an hour — real work they can take on without giving up the hours they need to earn. Along the way, Fellows get a close look at how a public library runs, and at the range of careers inside one.
Last year’s cohort published a magazine, produced a podcast, and organized numerous events for teens.
Programs such as this run on more than good intentions. Our thanks to the Austin Public Library team who mentor and steady this cohort month to month, and to Teen Librarian Kathleen Houlihan, who keeps the whole thing moving.
Made possible by The Library Foundation, these paid fellowships give teens a real hand in shaping library services, a window into library careers, and a platform to raise their voices on the issues that matter most to them and to their communities.
Follow the cohort’s work all year on Instagram at @apl_teenfellows.
Want to help fund the next generation of teen leaders? Support The Library Foundation.
