Psst! Over here. Are you the grownup or guardian who cares for a fourth-, fifth- or sixth-grader?
Great. Do me a favor and hand the newspaper — or your device — over to your tween(s). This article is actually for them.
Calling all tweens. My name is Becca. I work at the library, and I need your help.
I want to make the library a more awesome place for tweens to hang out, try new things and participate in fun activities. To do that, I need you to tell me what you’re interested in. Tween Advisory Board is an open group of local kids, like you, who like the library but want to see more things just for them. Do you ever see a neat program in our guide and think, “Wow, I wish I could do that, but it’s only for teens”?
We can fix that — but we have to work together.
Tween Advisory Board is free and easy to join. Just come to our monthly meetings and jump right in! We meet on the third Friday of every month at 4 p.m. Our next meeting is Oct. 18. Bring your friends. The only requirement is that you’re in fourth, fifth or sixth.
Here are some examples of fantastic tween programs you can already join! Do you like Harry Potter? Sign up for Hogwarts Prep School, a do-it-yourself (DIY) craft program themed after different classes at Hogwarts, like Transfigurations or Care of Magical Creatures. This program meets on Thursdays, once per month. Our next magical lesson is at 4 p.m. Oct. 10.
Have you ever wanted to learn about podcasts? Come to STEAM-Powered. We meet on Mondays in the Digital Underground, where we practice our audio production skills while learning about various current events related to science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Do you like reading the Young Hoosier books for school? Join us for our newest tween program, the Young Hoosier Book Club, which meets on the fourth Friday of every month at 4 p.m. Our next meeting is Oct. 25.
Registration is required for all of the events mentioned above. You can register at mybcpl.org by clicking on “Events.” You will need a grown up to help, so make sure you tell them! In fact, why don’t you underline the events that sound cool? And then find your grownup and ask for help.
You know, as long as you have a writing utensil, why don’t you write down two passions you’d like to explore with your friends at the library? A passion could be a book or graphic novel you love, a game you play, a skill you want to learn, or something you’re really good at that you want to share with others. Bring them with you to Tween Advisory Board. I can’t wait to hear about them.
At the Bartholomew County Public Library, my passion is connecting youth in our community with meaningful ways to discover, create and share in informative experiences. That’s a fancy way of saying, “I think tweens are cool and I want to hang out with you, so together, we can show the rest of the world how cool you are.” I hope to see you at the library soon!
(No, really. Soon. I need someone to teach me how to “floss.”)
Becca McNair is a youth programming specialist at Bartholomew County Public Library. They can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 812-379-1287.
