Summer Teen Advisory Boards Announce Final Projects

This summer, our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) members met as groups to discuss their communities’ needs and how to incorporate them into library programs, services and resources. Each TAB group must complete a final project, and while some chose to host the programs you see below, others are working on more community-based events like a community cleanup. We invite you to support our teens by attending! 

Programs 

Be Aware Fair 
Preschool-Adult 
Saturday, August 2, 2 p.m. (Woodlawn Branch)
Come visit us at this fair that raises awareness of a variety of health issues. Enjoy displays, games and giveaways.

Scavenger Hunt and Crafts 
Elementary 
Monday, August 4, 1:30 p.m. (North Point Branch) 
Our Teen Advisory Board volunteers host an educational pajama party.

Crafts Made From Recyclable Materials 
Toddler-Teen
Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. (Perry Hall Branch) 
Thursday, August 7, 10 a.m. (Perry Hall Branch) 
Recycle materials into cute and useful items. Perry Hall teens have four awesome projects for you to choose from: make a birdfeeder, piggy bank, bookmark or animal.

Cromwell Connect
Tween/Teen 
Saturday, August 9, 11 a.m. (Offsite) 
Hosted by the Loch Raven TAB, head to Cromwell Valley Park for an hour of fun and games while connecting with other people and nature. Activities include sports and games, arts and crafts, tips for connecting with nature in a digital world, and free snacks. Please note, we will be meeting on the Sherwood Farm side of the park.

Biology Buddies 
Elementary 
Saturday, August 9, 1 p.m. (Hereford Branch) 
Build a model of a cell with the guidance of our teen service-learning volunteers. Materials provided.

Library Fantasy Fair 
All Ages 
Saturday, August 9, 1-3 p.m. (Towson Branch) 
A fun fantasy fair with a variety of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, games, STEM activities, and a collaborative mural to be displayed in the branch. You can even bring unneeded books from home to swap at our Book Swap table. This is a drop-in event.

Decorate and Donate 
All Ages
Saturday, August 9, 2 p.m. (Cockeysville Branch) 
Decorate tote bags—one for you and one full of items for a Street Survival Kit to be donated to Health Care for the Homeless. Supplies provided; just bring yourself and your awesome creativity to share with the community.

Kindness in Action: Teen Service Hour
Teen
Monday, August 11, 5:30 p.m. (Owings Mills Branch)
Join us for an hour of hands-on community service as we create thoughtful items that will be donated to our local animal shelter and hospital—helping bring comfort to animals and people in need. 

Zoo-Tastic Trivia
Elementary
Monday, August 11, 6 p.m. (Parkville-Carney Branch)
Learn about a variety of animals and play a fun trivia game. Space is limited; first come, first served.

Bring Your Game On!
Tuesday, August 12, 3 p.m. (Randallstown Branch)
Bring your friends and family and get ready to compete against the best of the best. Join us for a fun afternoon of game playing and book swapping. Whether you're a casual or competitive gamer, there’s a game for you. Come and connect with others, eat snacks and win prizes.

Summer Fun
Preschool-Teen
Thursday, August 14, 2 p.m. (Catonsville Branch)
Join us for some family-friendly crafts, fun and games.

Amazing August Arts and Crafts
Elementary-Teen
Thursday, August 14, 5-7 p.m. (Arbutus Branch)
Drop in for a night of crafts, fun, imagination and color—perfect for kids and teens of all ages.

Teen After Hours: Summer Bash
Late Elementary-Teen
Friday, August 15, 5:30 p.m. (Essex Branch)
Tonight, the library is open just for teens! Play video games, watch a movie or hang out with new friends. Pizza and refreshments provided. Registration online or by contacting the branch.

Saturday Movie Matinee
Elementary-Adult 
Saturday, August 16, 2 p.m. (Reisterstown Branch) 
Join us for a relaxing afternoon movie matinee as we screen Daddy Day Care. Bring the whole family and enjoy some laughs with your local community in the comfort of the library.

Other Resources/Events

Community Cleanups
Our Sollers Point Teen Advisory Board completed two cleanups of the area surrounding the branch in July.

Summer Fairs
Our Rosedale Teen Advisory Board hosted three in-branch fairs throughout the month of July, encouraging cultural competence and creativity.

Teen Advisory Boards are groups of middle and high school volunteers selected through an application process. These volunteers meet monthly to discuss project ideas, socialize and practice their leadership skills. This program provides students with the unique opportunity to earn required service-learning hours while exploring their community’s needs and, more specifically, how the library can help meet those needs. 

Hear From the Teens 

Here’s what a few current TAB members had to say about their experience:

Cockeysville TAB member Kareena Saywack said she loves collaborating on the project, but her favorite part is meeting new people, “you get to meet a whole bunch of new friends. You'll probably find people that are going from middle school to high school, and you'll find a lot of friends who might be going to that high school with you.” 

Dylan Gould of Cockeysville’s group says TAB got him in the door, but he’s since explored what the library has to offer. “Most of the time I'm either here like just to pick up a book or because my sister wanted to play in the children’s area. So, this was a cool part of [it], actually going around the library and seeing what it's all about.

“Originally, I joined to get my service-learning hours, but I kept coming back because it was fun to have something to do over the summer. I just loved having the opportunity to meet new people and give back to the community,” said Precious Uguru, who’s in her third year of TAB at the Randallstown Branch.

Jeremiah of Loch Raven kept it short and sweet. “It's very nice to have something that includes teens in the library, even though, um, lots of teens don't necessarily come here. But, um, having this program could maybe bring more teens here. I guess I'm proud to be here. Kind of, it's, I don't know, it's really, it's really nice, basically."

If you are interested in applying for one of our School Year Teen Advisory Boards, be on the lookout for online applications from September 22–October 17. If you have any questions, please contact our Youth and Family Engagement department at yfe@bcpl.net.

Beyond TAB 

Our teen offerings go beyond Teen Advisory Boards. Teens can also enjoy the library by attending programs, using computers and gaming equipment, or simply hanging out in the teen areas to study, read, or meet up with friends. The library offers additional opportunities for teens to earn service-learning hours, allowing them to engage with their community while gaining valuable experience. Visit the teen page or head to your branch to learn more.