Teen Advisory Board

On October 1, 1999 the San Marino Public Library's Teen Advisory Board was launched on a wing and a prayer. The task at hand for the fourteen attendees of that first meeting was to come up with an official name for the newly consolidated and upgraded Young Adult area, so that a neon sign could be fabricated in time for the dedication of the area two weeks later. This they did, and "The Corner" has been a focal point for the needs and interests of Middle School and High School students ever since.

When asked for suggestions, they came up with thirty different ideas, some workable-some not. At that first meeting it became clear that the main skill called for in running the board would be, to listen.

The current board, now in its 5th year of existence boasts 30 members. We still meet every other Friday in the library auditorium and, given their busy schedules, typically 15 to 18 young people attend any given meeting.

Four of the original attendees from 1999 are still active members, as well as younger brothers and sisters of several long time members. Many others are in their third year of service. Currently, there are 12 High School seniors, three 7th graders, and just about everything in between. Interests vary widely, but everyone has something to say.

In addition to recommending books, magazines, videos and DVDs to be purchased, board members plan and implement programs, and do special volunteer projects. In 2000-2001 they were able to take advantage of grant money available through the California State Library to fund a series of programs and to produce a brochure of Favorite Teen Books at the San Marino Public Library. They have written letters of support for the new building, drawn up plans for their "ideal' homework center, provided labor for Book Shoppe sales and patiently filled out innumerable surveys. They are bright, passionate, opinionated, and always good for a reality check before we commit to purchasing materials teens supposedly will like. Young adult circulation has continued to rise significantly each year since the board was founded.