Melissa Hawk could not help but notice the crowds of teenagers gathered at the Northampton Area Public Library after school each day.

Hawk, who has served as the library director since the spring, could see them from the windows of her office overlooking the main room of the library.

"Often, we had kids on the floor," said Hawk. "Adults didn't have room to get to computers."

Monday afternoon marked the introduction of a creative solution to the problem – an after-school program known as Teen Cyber Space.

For a couple hours on school days the library's meeting room is transformed into a room dedicated to the needs of teens.

"We like to work closely with the school district so we're really glad we can offer the kids some place to go after school," said Hawk.

Along one wall of the room are folding lounge chairs. Stools shaped like puzzle pieces can be moved around as needed. Pencils, games and even some novelties such as plush Marshmallow Peeps complete the look.

"[The teens are] very responsible when they're in here to begin with. We have a really good group of kids that want to come in here and we want them to be comfortable," said Hawk.

Perhaps most important to the teens themselves is a selection of Galaxy tablets, iPads and netbook computers which the youth can use.

Those using the room don't have to be Northampton students or residents of the district. Most are, however, because of the library's location adjacent to both the high school and middle school.

Wherever users live, they must be between the ages of 12 and 18. In fact, a poster in the room declares the room is not for kids 0-11 or for adults 19-111.

The room is open from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the school year. It is not open on snow days, holidays or during school vacations. It's not open Fridays because the library itself is closed.

Several obstacles stood in the way of making the program a reality.

"We're always short on space and, obviously, money," said Hawk.

To overcome the lack of funds, Hawk applied for several grants. The library was awarded two – one for $4,000 from Best Buy for the purchase of tablets and netbooks and one for $1,000 from Wells Fargo for the purchase of furnishings and other items for the room.

The library board also allocated some money and individuals made donations, said Hawk.

Input into how the room should be furnished and program offerings came from the members of the library's Board of Advisory Teens.

"Part of the idea was that the kids could use the computers ... and to keep it very mobile we decided to buy the iPads, tablets and netbooks," said Hawk.

In order to use one of the mobile computers, teens must give the library either a valid school ID or their library card. They also need an Internet policy form, signed by a parent or guardian on file. Teens don't need the Internet policy form to use their own wireless devices.

Two adult volunteers, Sue Tobing and Priscilla Koch, oversee the program. Additional volunteers are sought and anyone interested in volunteering can contact Hawk at 610-262-7537.

Volunteers and staff members are available to assist users with homework and some technological questions. Who is available to help with what is posted on a white board.

Of course, the help goes both ways.

"My volunteers are very good with the teens and the teens are also helping the volunteers with the technology," said Hawk.

Although teens can listen to music in Teen Cyber Space, they must use either their own headphones or earbuds available for purchase from the library.

They are also permitted to snack. Eating is forbidden however. What's the difference?

"If you need a utensil, it is eating," says a poster defining what is and is not allowed.

The poster also declares Teen Cyber Space is not for sleeping, dating, taking photos or videotaping, phone calls, grooming, fighting, arguing or silence.

Although libraries are traditionally known for their quiet rules, Hawk wants teens to be able to chat, she said.

Another poster lists the purposes of the space. These include relaxing, socializing, studying, researching, group projects, texting, facebooking, apps and gaming.

Although the room is most crowded until 4 p.m., a few teens lingered afterward. Those still there at 5 p.m. helped clean up and put away the teen furniture and other items. Because of lack of space, Hawk said, the library staff must set up and take down Teen Cyber Space every day. That means putting away chairs, carpets, technology and decorative items.

"We stash it where we can find space," Hawk said. "We use any space we have."