When Mickey Willard was in seventh grade in 2005 at Trail Ridge Middle School, several of her best friends were featured in a new teen literary magazine, elementia, produced by Johnson County Library.
Willard attended the reception and was inspired to submit her own artwork for future issues, including the portrait chosen for the issue 9 Cover in 2012. Her experience was so positive that she joined the Library staff in 2014.
“Elementia was the direct cause of me being here now today,” says Willard, a youth information specialist at Monticello. “It got me introduced to the Librarians and to their amazing work. Now I’m engaged with the next generation of creative teens and patrons.”
This April marks an elementia milestone, with its 20th issue release. Willard is part of a Library team who cherish working with teens on it every year.
The magazine has evolved from a few hundred copies produced in-house on a shoestring budget into a beautifully curated and professionally printed publication, with several thousand copies distributed in Library locations and elsewhere. But it has remained true to its original mission: to showcase the phenomenal talent and originality of teen writers and artists. All issues are viewable on the Library's website.
Elementia had modest beginnings. It grew out of a middle school creative writing class offered at Central Resource Library. Youth Services Manager Angel Tucker, a part-time youth specialist at the time, realized these young people needed to share their work with peers and families. That first issue, in fall 2005, featured 19 pieces of writing, and 60 people attended the reception honoring the young writers.
“We started elementia because young people were showing up and wanting to be together. They wanted to have a community,” Tucker recalled. “And what we’ve built over the last 20 issues has consistently aligned with that original vision.”
The Library gradually found sustained funding and support for a full-color, 72-page publication. Teachers encourage students to submit their writing, and it’s highly competitive to be selected. Since issue 13 in 2016, all visual art has also been created by teens, thanks to a partnership with the Shooting Stars arts education program.
Graphics Coordinator Jennifer Taylor, involved since the beginning, emphasizes that every issue is written, edited, curated and designed by teens and young adults, with Library staff providing mentoring and support.
Emma Fernhout, youth information specialist at Monticello, says the participants are incredibly intelligent and passionate. They motivate her to think in new ways. “It fills me with a lot of hope and delight for the future of literature,” she said.
Leawood Information Specialist Cassandra Gillig says many elementia graduates keep in touch after they become adults, and it’s clear the magazine is a profound learning experience, beyond the classroom.
“It’s often the first place that is not dictated by anyone other than themselves,” Gillig said, so it becomes a catalyst for teens flexing their creative muscles and finding their voice.
The Library also connects participants with published authors. Youth Information Specialist Cassidy Coles said some of those authors, including A.S. King and Naomi Shihab Nye, have given major shout-outs to elementia in book dedications or public remarks.
King will be the keynote speaker at this year’s virtual reception, Tuesday, May 9, at 7:00 p.m. The reception will also feature readings, artwork, music and more exploring this year's theme: Cycles.
Gillig said every issue is astonishing and uplifting, and this year is no different. As it celebrates 20 issues, elementia has the Library’s wholehearted endorsement to continue for years to come, so its future is bright.