The Daily News

Last November, Leach Public Library in Wahpeton began a new regular program, the Teen Advisory Group (TAG). TAG basically functions as a think tank, one directed by teenagers and consulted upon by the library to design programs that would command the interest of other teens.

"TAG offers area students a chance to make a difference in their library and community... (and) a chance for them to help make the library more teen-friendly and inviting to their peers," said Arielle Krohn, youth librarian at Leach. "It provides an opportunity in a relaxed, and I hope fun, atmosphere to share ideas, work with other teens, meet new people, make new friends, and hone their decision-making skills."

Krohn added that TAG gives teens a sense that their opinions and thoughts matter and the adults value them. Plus, the hours spent serving with the group count for community service or volunteer hours and "looks stellar on a college application."

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Krohn initiated the Leach TAG. She used to be the youth services librarian at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and joined Leach in March 2009. She moved to Wahpeton last year with her husband after the birth of their son to be closer to his family.

"Many public libraries... have successful TAGs," said Krohn. "I worked with a fantastic group of teens at my former library in Pittsburgh and wanted students in Wahpeton to have the same opportunity to be involved with their local library."

In December, the members of TAG performed a reader's theater of holiday stories for children. Students chose the books and met once a week to rehearse. TAG members also held a food drive and will help plan the Teen Summer Reading Program. Currently, TAG is working on a Teen Literature Day, which is part of National Library Week.

The popularity of TAG programs has also caught on in neighboring Breckenridge, whose public library holds its first TAG meeting Saturday, Feb. 20, from 1 to 2 p.m.

"We've had teens involved (in the library) for years but not as a group like this," says Nanci Tobias, Breckenridge Public Library branch manager. "We hope it'll build up. We used to do meetings four times year. We want more input from them... for them to design programs they like, that they'll come to."

Breckenridge Public Library has had a summer reading program for 10 years, and while the library is heavily used by the age group in the summer, Tobias would like to see more teens there year round. She sums the problem faced by all libraries, noting how youth don't use the library as much during the school year because "they're very booked up."

An aim of the Breckenridge TAG is to help teens "feel some ownership, some comfort" at their local library, said Tobias. This aim is shared by the Leach TAG.

"I hope the members of TAG will be able to create an environment within the public library that they feel comfortable in, are proud of, is welcoming for teens, and one they can call their own," said Krohn.

There is a chance the two libraries will collaborate.

"With Leach we did joint book discussions for all age groups," said Tobias. "I would like to see more collaboration."

Krohn said she would be happy to collaborate.

"I think it's so important for different institutions to come together," she said. "Especially in smaller regions where resources are limited, collaboration is a great way to try new things and work with people you may not normally get a chance to."

Wahpeton TAG meets Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m., with its next scheduled meeting on Feb. 9, while Breckenridge TAG meets Saturdays from 1 to 2 p.m.

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