Frankfort Library Welcomes Teen Advice and Participation

Frankfort Library's Youth Librarian Sarah Ehlers-Johnson has zero problems taking advice from pre-teens and teens. In fact, she welcomes it with open arms. 

For the past three years, a group of pre-teens and teens living in the boundaries of the Frankfort Library District have been gathering from 4:30-6 p.m. most Mondays not only to talk about books and stories but also to plan activities.

At the April 15 meeting, about a dozen teens gathered to begin planning activities for the summer reading program. It's not a particularly studious activity; instead, it's about finding ways to make reading and storytelling fun, added Rachel Cuzzo, assistant youth librarian.

The enthusiasm that Ehlers-Johnson has for the group would be tough to disguise. She chatted about the kids, who range in age from 6th-grade to high school freshman. "It's a mix of boys and girls." 

Ehlers-Johnson boasted that the group has agreed to write book/movie review blogs. The first was penned by the TAB's Vice President Grace J. In it she reviews "A Study in Scarlet" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," authored by J.R.R. Tolkien. Read the review here. 

This week they began work on the summer reading program, but frequently they show up ready to help with projects at the library.  "They're awesome," she said. They're ready to dig into any project, even helping to straighten up the library. 

Cuzzo said they frequently help with the legwork or handiwork, whatever is needed. They help put together story time packets for pint-size library goers and come ready each week to dig into just about anything. 

While they do get community service hours, most of them aren't lacking for that, added Ehlers-Johnson. "They're loyal. They like the library."

Their current project is preparing for a video about the summer reading program. Once it's edited, it will be featured on the library website.

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