York County Libraries (YCL) are launching a new program for teens. Youth, ages 12 to 18, are invited to participate in the York Cosplay Workshop Series that will explore various facets of cosplay. Presenters will share tips on everything from how to choose a character to prop construction to special effects makeup and hair. The program is for all fandoms including comics, anime, manga, role-playing games, television series, books, and movies.
The monthly series will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, January 28, February 25, March 25, April 22 and May 27 at Martin Library in York. All workshops will be held in the library’s second floor Teens space. The workshop series will lead up to YCL’s York Cosplay Teen Fashion Show at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Martin Library. There is no cost to participate, and workshop registration is underway now on the yorklibraries.org events calendar.
“This new program checks the boxes for fun, creativity, and hands-on learning opportunities,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “Local experts will share tips and how-to instruction to help teens create their costumes using library resources including sewing machines and 3D printers in the Teens makerspace."
According to York County Libraries Director of Youth Services Jaclyn Cassidy, cosplay allows for creative interpretation of fictional characters and pop culture. "Teens will be coming together in an inclusive environment to explore a shared interest in pop culture and fandoms. The program aims to help teens acquire new skills while expanding their creative self-expression, confidence, and authenticity,” says Cassidy.
The workshops will focus on the following:
Saturday, Jan. 28 Choose Your Character
Saturday, Feb. 25 Fabrics and Fabrication
Saturday, Mar. 25 Cosplay Prop Construction
Saturday, Apr. 22 Special Effects Makeup and Hair
May 27 CosTest: Pulling Together Your Look
Anyone with questions about the workshop series should email York County Libraries Teen Services Program Manager Susan Korsnick at skorsnick@yorklibraries.org. Additional information and a link to registration is available at yorklibraries.org/york-cosplay. The program is supported in part by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant awarded by The Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
Martin Library is a branch of York County Libraries and is located at 159 E. Market Street in York. It is recognized as a PA Forward Gold Star library for its outstanding provision of programs and resources to community members. Martin Library also holds the distinguished honor of being the first library to receive the Library of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Library Association.
York County Libraries include 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and digital information, best sellers, Wi-Fi, digital story times, book discussions and 80 databases. In addition to their extensive collection of 642,000 physical items, they offer over one million digital library materials for loan. All are available for free with a York County Libraries card. Community members without a card are invited to request one at yorklibraries.org at no cost.
