Forest
Public Library started a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) this year. It was first
offered to seniors with the incentive of a $1000 scholarship provided by the
Forest Friends of the Library. TAB has been a wonderful experience for the librarians
to plan and execute programs with this great group of teens.
Senior members
were required to write a one-page paper describing their experience while
serving on TAB. The experiences they have written about have been of fun times
and learning that libraries go beyond just books. As the days come to an end
for our senior members their endless ideas, help, and support will always be
appreciated and remembered. Below are some excerpts from a few of the papers.
“We have
done some great things together, and I have met many people that I now call my
friends.”
“Being part
of the library family has really given me a new outlook on what the library is
really about.”
“I have learned
so much and gained new friends, and that is really all I need to be successful
in life.”
“I would
most definitely recommend any upcoming senior to join the TAB group!”
“I’ve
realized the library tries to do so much to give back to the community and gets
everyone to be involved, by having different activities and programs going on
for different age groups. Being a part of a group that’s trying to make a
difference not only at the library but in the community gives a really good
feeling.”
“This group
has done so many great things together, I wish that we could continue doing all
these amazing things at the library, but there comes a time when all good
things must come to an end.”
“I can’t
wait to see what the future generations of TAB are going to do and the impact
that they are going to make on the library and community.”
Youth
Services Librarian Brandi Parker has seen the benefits of having teens involved
in the planning and execution of programs. The number of teens participating in
activities has increased significantly with the starting of the TAB. “It is
exciting to see how personable the membership has become for each of the teens.
I have enjoyed getting to know and work with each TAB member,” Parker states.
The Beverly Rhodes – Forest Friends of the Library Scholarship will be awarded
on Friday, May 17, and one terrific teen will have an exciting tale to tell!
