NATCHEZ — Natchez has a new after-school hangout for teens, and it’s cooler than it sounds.

The Armstrong Library celebrated the opening of it’s new teen room Thursday afternoon — with a round of video games.

“We wanted to offer a place for teens who have nowhere to go or nothing to do after school a safe place to hang out,” library director Susan Cassagne said.

The teen room features an HDTV with a Nintendo Wii and various games, DVDs, karaoke, two computers, magazines that grab teens’ interests and of course, books.

Library employees hope the games and movies will draw teens in.

Library worker Casey Hughes said she hopes children take the opportunity to read once they get there.

“We hope it’s a safe place for teens to hang out and maybe pick up a book. It’s all free,” Hughes said.

At the opening of the teen room on Thursday, there were door prizes including a $15 iTunes gift card. Freshly popped popcorn was served as well.

“We’re trying to show that libraries can be fun,” Cassagne said.

To learn more about the teen room visit www.naw.lib.ms.us and go to the teen section.

The teen room was funded through grants from the federal Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Mississippi Library Commission for the Institute of Musuem and Library Services. Matching funds required by the grant were provided by the Friends of the Library.