For many teens who love books, making friends and being social can sometimes be challenging. Young readers have a tendency to spend hours lost in their favorite stories, which can lead to a perception that they’re uninterested in socializing, when the truth is that they are eager to connect with others who share their interests. To bring these readers together, the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is launching a new program called Teen Book Social that invites middle and high school students to hang out, make friends, and celebrate their shared love of reading.
The Teen Book Social offers something different from a traditional book club. There’s no assigned reading—just a focus on conversations about books, snacks, and fun games. Highlights will also include previews of exciting new books being added to the library’s collection, giving participants the inside scoop on the latest reads. “This idea started with a suggestion from the Teen Advisory Board,” explained teen librarian Phoebe. “A few members suggested a ‘reading party’ and now I can’t wait to meet and hear about what people have been reading.”
APLD’s teen programming across all locations focuses on creating a welcoming, interactive space for young people, a cause that is especially important to Phoebe. “I would have loved a program like this when I was in school. People often think of reading as a solitary activity, but some of my lifelong best friends are people I bonded with over a love of reading and sharing books. Socializing is so important in middle school and high school, and I want the library—and reading—to encourage that.”
In addition to the Teen Book Social, APLD offers resources for young readers like the Book Box subscription, our personalized Book Match service, and a soon-to-launch “100 Books Before High School” challenge. Teens are also invited to join the Teen Advisory Board to help shape future programs and resources. The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a group of teens in grades 6 through 12 who work to improve the library and make a positive impact. TAB meets monthly on the 1st Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at all library locations (and there’s always pizza!).
The first meeting of the Teen Book Social will meet from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Santori Library. It will be a chance to celebrate reading in a low-pressure environment while connecting with others who share a common passion. For more information, including book recommendations, contact discussion leader Phoebe at 630-264-4260. Don’t miss this opportunity to build friendships, discover new books, and be part of a community that celebrates the joy of reading!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.