Local teens work to better libraries

By ELISE FRANCO

The group plans events and fundraisers at area libraries.

BOARDMAN — The Teen Advisory Board, a group of teens in Mahoning County, is taking action to make sure area libraries are up to its standards.

Janet Loew, spokeswoman for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, said the board is a group that represents county teens. It offers suggestions on how to improve the library to better serve teens who use its resources.

Board member Austin Clark of Boardman said the board is not only important to improving the library, but it also teaches teens how to work together.

“The group is dedicated to planning and carrying out events for children and teens at the local libraries,” he said. “It is also a great way to meet other teens and discuss books that we have read.”

Clark, 18, said he has been a member of the board for six years, and joined after hearing about it through friends.

“I use the library’s facilities every week. They always have books and movies I have wanted to read and watch,” he said. “And I joined [the board] because I like to read, and I also enjoy helping out other people.”

Loew said the group has 21 members, most of whom attend every meeting.

At each meeting, Clark said members socialize and discuss books while enjoying a snack. Later, they talk about activities and ideas for fundraisers and plan events for the library.

“If we all agree on an idea, then we begin planning a date, time and place to hold the activity or fundraiser,” he said. “We have hosted cool library events that have never been offered before.”

For example, he said, the board hosted several “mystery nights,” where members dressed up and acted out scenes from a story they created themselves. Guests had to ask questions in order to determine who the murderer was.

Current projects the board is working on include a magazine filled with stories written by members, as well as book, movie and music reviews.

At tonight’s meeting, beginning at 6:30, members will be making crafts to sell at the Springfield Craft Show in September.

The board’s regular meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month, although tonight’s meeting is taking place a week later than usual. No sign-up is required, so teens in grades seven ∫ through 12 are invited to attend at the Boardman Library on Glenwood Avenue.

For more information contact TeenXTreme@libraryvisit.org.