Libraries & Librarians

Period Products (and Programs) for Tweens

November 7, 2026

In September, ALA partnered with Aunt Flow to host a webinar that focused on period product access in libraries. After seeing the webinar, my colleague and I were inspired to bring more resources and information about menstruation to patrons at our branch.

Prior to the “Know Your Flow” webinar, the adult librarian at my branch and I had several conversations surrounding the stigma around menstruation that young people face. We also discussed how it can be uncomfortable for anyone, but especially tweens and teens, to ask for the products that they might need. So, we took matters into our own hands and went a bit…rogue.

*Period product display in the restroom (photo courtesy of blogger).*

We found a few boxes of sanitary napkins and tampons hiding in a back closet, and decided it was time for them to see the light. Using resources from Know Your Flow, we were able to create small in-bathroom displays across the library that provided resources and information for anyone who might need it surrounding the product dispensers. We also put a few informational sheets on the backs of the bathroom stalls.

Additionally, we considered programming surrounding this topic for tweens and teens who may have questions, but don’t know where to turn for answers. (My colleague shared that in the past, she did a program with Planned Parenthood on menstruation, which I would love to replicate). However, due to ever-changing staffing levels, we put these larger scale ideas on the backburner for now. In the meantime, passive programs and displays with books and resources for this age group are going to be our main focus. Up next on my to-do list is to create a pamphlet with book recommendations and further resources that tweens and teens can take on the go with them. Books and other resources I have found so far are detailed below.

Additional Resources –

The Big-Sister Guide to Getting Your Period – A free and interactive guide designed for tweens who have questions about periods
Planned Parenthood – A well-known organization with information specifically for teens about puberty

Recommended Reads –

A Kids Book About Periods by Jessica Biel
Bad Queer by Gayathiri Kamalakanthan
Free Period by Ali Terese
Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors
Code Red by Joy McCullough
Just Ask Elsie by Ari Koontz
Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice by Anna Lapera
Period Power by Nadya Okamoto
The Beautiful Game by Yamile Saied Mendez
The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
The Unexpected Consequences of Bleeding on a Tuesday by Kelsey B Toney
We Need to Talk About Vaginas by Allison K. Rodgers
Welcome to Your Period by Yumi Stynes

While this initiative is something that my colleague and I have been interested in for quite some time, I know that not everyone has the same comfort level when discussing this topic. However, providing access to information and free resources for tweens and teens is something that many libraries are already doing in other areas. Expanding these offerings to include information about periods can be a low lift, and not-so-awkward, way for libraries to work towards ending period poverty.

(Calling the Moon cover courtesy of Penguin Random House. Free Period cover courtesy of Scholastic Press).

This post addresses ALSC Core Competencies 1.2 and 1.3.

Annaliese Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at a neighborhood library in Washington, D.C. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to the DC-area in 2020 to become a special education teacher after graduating with her bachelor’s from Arcadia University. In 2023, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science and transitioned into the library field. Annaliese currently works to bring more inclusive programming to DC Public Libraries for children of all ages. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, reading, and Philadelphia sports.