Three little libraries will be scattered across the Island in the upcoming weeks, thanks to Bermuda’s creative youth.The libraries are part of the Design Springboard Programme, developed by The Bermuda Education Network. It is one of three programmes developed, the others being maths and law programmes.The design programme, which encourages creativity, is in its second year and takes place during the last two weeks of July. It allows CedarBridge Academy and Berkeley Institute students to shadow and be mentored professionally in careers involving maths, law and design.As part of the Little Libraries Programme three boxes are handcrafted and designed by the students themselves and will be placed throughout the Island where residents can freely swap their personal books for those in the library box.Tania Stafford, project manager, decided where the boxes would go.“One is going in St George’s because it is the oldest town in Bermuda. One is going to Pier 41 because it is the only marine neighbourhood in Bermuda, and one is going to Euclid Avenue in Pembroke,” she said.Sharing her thoughts on the students’ work, she said: “This group is an incredibly focused group of young people, they arrive early and are very punctual.“We started with pieces of cut plywood last Monday, and the design and technology department helped this group of young people build the physical boxes. The youth have also done placements with architect firms, met interior designers, visited the Masterworks for motivation.”She explained the only materials purchased were the structural elements for the boxes, while the remainder of the materials needed are recycled.Among the students participating in the Design Springboard Programme were Berkeley Institute students 15-year-old Jai-Onni Outerbridge and 16-year-old Seth Henschke, who worked together on their group’s Little Library.“It was just something I was interested in. There was a presentation about it at our school, so I signed up for it,” Jai-Onni said. “It’s a great programme and I wanted to be out in the open doing design, not in behind a desk crammed in a small space all day.”The creative process, Jai-Onni explained, was to observe their surroundings and artistically express them on their Little Library box.“We took pictures of the area and used them to decorate our library.”Seth added: “So far it’s worth it and a good experience. I like to express what’s in my mind, like whatever is in your head you can just draw it out.”The students’ professional mentor for the project was Michael Hooper, of the Saltus Grammar School design and technology department. He stressed the importance of the programme.“It is very important, it’s the most important thing you can do,” he said. “I think that children don’t get enough self discipline, they are not taught it. They are lacking, so because of that they don’t know how to study properly on their own, they don’t know how to finish a job on a deadline, so I don’t mind doing this at all.”Tracy Astwood, project manager, also shared her thoughts on the development of the youth’s skills.“This is a really important programme because we are really trying to help with workforce development on the Island. Everybody is concerned about employment rates, especially for children between 16 and 25. Part of our process is really to help them look for careers that are going to be suitable for them, and that they are interested in doing so hopefully they will network and develop these relationships for their future career endeavours.”She went on to explain the growth of the programme’s popularity.“Last year we only had five students compared to this year where 20 students applied. we had to turn down a number of applicants only because we didn’t have the space for everyone. A lot of companies are really afraid of teenagers,” she said.