Teen Advisory BoardApplication for Membership

What is TAB?

The Teen Advisory Board of the La Vista Public Library is designed to allow teens to incorporate themselves within the library through actively engaging in the development and participation of library events, programs, publications, and services for all teens of the community. Members have an opportunity to provide real leadership and service to their local library and, by extension, to other teens in their community by having their voices heard!

Reasons to join the La Vista Public Library Teen Advisory Board

Free food at every meeting! Participation counts as volunteer hours and experience for resumes and college

applications Become involved in your library and show your community that teens matter Meet new friends Help choose books, music, graphic novels, etc., for the teen department Participate creatively (book reviews, stories, art, etc.) in a teen library online

website (currently in development) Plan programs for you and your friends Get special perks – such as a TAB Library Lock-In, TAB member T-shirt, and more! Because it’s fun!

Responsibilities of a TAB Member

Attend all meetings (held the first Tuesday/Thursday of every month at 6 p.m.) and actively participate

Attend as many teen programs as possible and volunteer to help set-up/clean up Be a responsible library user Help to promote teen participation at the library

To become a member please fill out the following application and return it to Lindsey or a staff member at the front desk. Simply filling out the application does NOT guarantee acceptance to the TAB, but your application will be kept on file for one year.

Name: ____________________________ Address: ________________________________________School: ____________________________ Grade: _______________ Birthday __________________Phone Number: ______________________ Email: _________________________________________Would you like to receive email/text message reminders about upcoming events?No ___________ Yes ________________ By Email ___________ By Text _____________Do you have Facebook? ______________ If yes, would you be interested in a Library Facebook page? _______

Tell us why you are interested in becoming a member of the La Vista Public Library’s TAB?

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What interests or special skills/talents can you contribute to the TAB (public speaking, writing, graphic design, photography, etc.)?

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What do you consider to be the La Vista Public Library’s strengths and weaknesses? What changes would you suggest we make so our library will better benefit teens?

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What are some of your hobbies and interests (including sports and clubs you belong to)?

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Would you be interested in participating in the library’s teen website by contributing creative works, such as artwork, stories, poems, articles, book/movie/game reviews, and more?

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What do you like most about the library’s services for teens? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Can you suggest any changes or additions to improve the library’s services to teens?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Teen Advisory Board meets on the first Tuesday or Thursday of every month (except September) at 6 p.m. for about 1 ½ hours. Can you commit to meeting each month for the 2011-2012 year?Yes ________________ No ___________________

Teen programs are held every Tuesday/Thursday at 6 p.m. during the school year. Can you commit to trying to make at least 3 programs (out of 10-12) a month? Yes ________________ No ___________________

I have read the Teen Advisory Board Mission Statement and Ground Rules (see attached). I am aware that being a Teen Advisory Board member may require a commitment of several hours a month for meetings and projects. I am aware that if my membership can be revoked if I fail to participate or if I do not follow library standards of behavior.Signature _________________________________________________________________________________

I am aware my teen is applying to become a member of the La Vista Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board. I understand his/her commitment is to attend meetings and to help with other library events as needed. I also give permission for photos of my teen participating in library events to be used for library publicity, which may include the teen library website (no full names will appear with photos or creative works submitted by teens appearing on the teen library webpage).

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________________________

Teen Advisory Board of La Vista Public LibraryMission Statement and Ground Rules

Mission Statement of the Teen Advisory BoardThe Teen Advisory Board (TAB) of the La Vista Public Library is a way to involve teens (grades six and up) in the library and make the library a better, more appealing place for teens. TAB members are community volunteers and an integral and dynamic part of the growing services and opportunities available to teens at the La Vista Public Library. TAB participation counts toward community service/volunteer hours for students. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday or Thursday of every month (except September) at 6 p.m. and usually last 1 ½ hours (one hour for business, a half hour for snacks and socializing).

Who can join TAB?You do not need to be a resident of La Vista to join, but all TAB members need to be in sixth grade or up, fill out and sign a Teen Advisory Board application, and make a commitment to attend meetings for the duration of the year.

Recommending Materials for YA CollectionMembers will be asked for their input for ideas for programming and what materials are needed in the YA section of the library collection. They will also recommend movies for purchase and screening and brainstorm ideas for future teen events.

Members Recruit Peers to Library EventsMembers will be encouraged to be spokesmen to their peers, recruiting them to library events. They will be the word-of-mouth aspect of advertising teen events to fellow teens.

TAB Members are VolunteersTAB members are volunteers. They do various tasks with Lindsey in the YA area, such as helping create displays and decorating the teen area, keeping the collection neat and in order, distributing flyers and calendars of events to their school librarians and fellow teens, generating ideas, assisting with the teen library website, writing book recommendations, and more!

What is expected of TAB members? Members must attend at least 6 meetings throughout the year (held every month except

September for a total of 11 meetings a year) and e-mail Lindsey, Teen Coordinator, in advance of absences. If any member misses more than 3 meetings without a valid reason, they will be dismissed from the group. They will have an opportunity to re-join TAB in the future.

Participation is essential for the success of this board. TAB members are encouraged to attend YA events. Members should attend as many teen events as possible with a minimum requirement of 3 per month (out of an average of 10-15). During the School Year normal teen programs are held every Tuesday/Thursday at 6 p.m. with holiday parties starting at 5 p.m. During the Summer Program teen activities are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 and 6 p.m.

Members are expected to behave appropriately at meetings. You will be asked to leave the meeting if you are disruptive (for example, using your cell phone, not paying attention, being distracting to other members) or treating others disrespectfully. If behavior persists, you will be dismissed from the group for the remainder of the year.

Be a role model. At TAB and library functions, act in a way that reflects positively the La Vista Public Library and its teen patrons.

Be an advocate. Promote reading and library use to teens in the community.

Contact for More Information:Lindsey Tomsu Teen CoordinatorLa Vista Public Library 9110 Giles Road La Vista, NE 68128

402-537-3900 ltomsu@lavistamail.mccneb.edu