Teens Invited to Get Active at the Library

Land O’ Lakes area teenagers who are looking for a way to get active in the community need only visit the library this Tuesday to get their chance.

The first Teen Advisory Board meeting of the new school year is set to start at 6 p.m. Youth ages 11 to 18 are invited to attend and get active in volunteering and planning events for the library.

“It’s really the best chance for kids to get legitimate service hours for school,” said Paul Stonebridge, the Pasco County Library System’s teen services manager.

TAB members have a big say in what happens at the library throughout the year, he added.

“(Members) actually have a voice,” he said. “The TAB helps us plan all the events at the library.”

The library has relied on its TAB to create and plan out events for years. Stonebridge said it just makes sense to have teens plan things for other teens to ensure that participation is high and that ideas resonate with kids.

“We want to be tapped into the things the teens actually want,” he said, adding that TAB members have “first dibs on volunteer opportunities at the library.”

Some of those opportunities include helping plan the annual , and other events.

Youth who take part in the group can cast themselves in many different roles while earning hours toward graduation requirements. Teens can learn about library operations, concert promotions, working as a DJ and more.

What’s even better, Stonebridge said, is that the library staff keep track of all the hours for TAB members.

“We want kids to participate in TAB, get involved and become a big part of the library’s operation year round,” he said.

For more information about joining TAB, call 813-929-1214. The next meeting after the Aug. 9 gathering is set for Aug. 23. During that meeting, TAB members will elect a new slate of officers.

Teens who live closer to Wesley Chapel are also invited to join the New River Library’s board, said Isabelle Fetherston, librarian. That group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6 p.m. at 34043 State Road 54. The next meeting at New River is set for Aug. 18.