CLARKS SUMMIT — If you have ever participated in a LEGO Club or Crafters’ Club event at the Abington Community Library, you probably met some or all of the members of the library’s Teen Leadership Committee (TLC), which sponsors these and many other activities. But do you know what the group is all about and why it exists?

Steven McKnight, president, hopes more people will be able to answer this question after the TLC Fair, scheduled for 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6. The event will give students in grades 6-12 an opportunity to learn about the committee and how to get involved.

According to the library’s website, the TLC is “a group of tweens/teens focused on giving a voice to all young adults for programming, book selections (and more).”

“It (TLC) provides a lot of opportunities for personal growth, to work with a team, plan something and make that plan a reality,” McKnight said.

Now a cyberschool senior, he first got involved with the group when he was in seventh grade, at the urging of his older brothers, who participated before him, and his parents. He said although the committee doesn’t have as many members as he remembers back then, he sees potential for it to “branch out” more in the near future and become “a more central part of the library.”

On average, about a dozen people attended the group’s most recent meetings.

Brianna Heffley, vice president, has been a part of the committee for about five or six years now. She said it is important for the TLC to recruit new members who have a desire to get involved, because many of the current members will soon graduate high school and move on.

She encourages those who are interested but not quite sure whether or not the TLC is a good fit for them to “just give it a try.” After all, what is there to lose?

“We’re all a group of friends,” she said. “And it’s welcoming.”

Pari Pancholy, secretary, agrees.

“TLC is not only a good way to get volunteer hours in and help our community, but it’s also a good place to meet new people,” she said.

One thing Pancholy likes most about being involved in the group is the diversity of people she gets to meet – not only her peers, but the children who come to their events and the adults they interact with as well.

And the near future includes more opportunities to do just that. According to Leah Rudolph, library director, the library’s board of Directors will soon seek the TLC’s input on its three-year vision for the library.

“We’ll be leaning on this group for our strategic plan,” she said.

To learn more about the TLC, call the Abington Community Library at 570-587-3440.

McKnight
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_ABJ-TCL-McKnight.jpg.optimal.jpgMcKnight

Pancholy
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_ABJ-TLC-Pancholy.jpg.optimal.jpgPancholy

Heffley
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_ABJ-TLC-Heffley.jpg.optimal.jpgHeffley

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

ACL TLC events

Each of the following events is sponsored by the Abington Community Library Teen Leadership Committee and will be held at the library.

TLC Fair, 2 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to come and learn about what the Teen Leadership Committee does at the Library and how to get involved.

Crafters’ Club, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8. Students in third through sixth grade are invited to come meet other crafters and share tips. All materials will be provided.

TLC meetings, 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 and 23. Students in grades 5-12 may come and share their thoughts and ideas.

Creative writing workshop, 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 13. Students in first through fourth grade will hone their writing skills and engage in creativity and imagination. This session continues weekly until a showcase on April 23; no class on Feb. 27 or March 19.

Theatre workshop, 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 13. Students in first through fourth grade will explore theatre with activities and exercises. This session continues weekly until a showcase on April 23; no class on Feb. 27 or March 19.

Music workshop, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Students in first through fourth grade are invited to come participate in learning activities to grow creatively as an artist. This session continues weekly until a showcase on April 23; no class on Feb. 27 or March 19.

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.