Nazareth Area Memorial Library wants to hear from teen patrons

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

The Nazareth Area Memorial Library wants teenagers to take an active role in its programs.

That’s the concept behind the Teen Advisory Board being launching 11 a.m. today at the library, 295 E. Center St.


The initial meeting, facilitated by library assistant Janet Kichline with input from Catherine Stewart, children's librarian/assistant director, will gather feedback from area teenagers on what they want at the library.

“Traditionally, teens are the toughest group to get involved in library programs,” said Director Lynn Snodgrass-Pilla during a recent Upper Nazareth Board of Supervisors meeting. “We're very excited about this."

The goal is for teens to meet new friends while coming up with their own library programs, as well as choosing books, movies and magazines for the library. To date, about eight teens have signed up, and the library wants more, Stewart said.

While there is a successful turnout during such summer programs as the literary lunches book club, there has been a dwindling number of teens participating in other programs, she said.

Molly Givens, 16, a sophomore at Nazareth Area High School, said she would be interested in joining the advisory board.

"I think it's a very good idea," she said. "It'll keep things busy there and get more teens reading."


John Reinhart, the library board’s president, said libraries across the state are involving teens in similar concepts. He said electronic entertainment and more sports and after-school activities have meant fewer teens at libraries.

“As kids have gotten older and have had more options, there have been more opportunities to start doing other things," Reinhart said. "By the time they get their (driver’s) license, they’re done and you have to try and get them before they are doing that. By the time they are juniors and seniors in high school, if we haven’t gotten them by then, we aren’t going to get them.”

While the library likely won’t have the funds or resources to honor every request, Stewart said the staff plans to implement as many ideas brainstormed by the advisory group as possible. The group plans to meet bi-monthly, but could meet every month if there's enough interest, she said.

“The whole idea is we're hoping to engage kids more at that age, recognize that a library is not just a place with books and there are other services the library can provide,” Reinhart said. “If they can be part of the process and see what other things at the library they can be a part of, they’ll see more advantages of continuing on.”


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HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
The Teen Advisory Board will kick-off 11 a.m. today. Participants should apply for membership at Nazareth Memorial Library, 295 East Center Street, Nazareth.


For more information, visit www.nazarethlibrary.org or call 610-759-4932.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2012/01/nazareth_area_library_wants_te.html