AB-TAB is the Abington Free Library’s teen advisory board. During our meetings, we discuss events to be planned in the future, from our annual murder mystery party to the teen craft fairs. The events we set up help bring our community together and make the library a safe and fun place for everyone. Events like the summer reading kick-off party encourage people of all ages to come outside for music and crafts to celebrate the beginning of a well-deserved break. AB-TAB gives teens a say in events like this so that we can bring our ideas to fruition while offering a fresh perspective to the library. We also think of ways to give back to our community; for example, the take-what-you-need section in the teen area was started by an advisor’s ideas!
AB-TAB can also give you service hours to help you meet your yearly requirements! Coming to a meeting is an hour of service and by helping set up or run library events you gain even more. AB-TAB can also allow you to share your opinions on what you would like to see in the future. For example, our Power of the Pen Book, which is completely teen-written, was created because advisors wanted an outlet for creative writing in the community. It’s so important for Abington teens to be represented in our community. With a large board that anyone can join and everyone can benefit from, AB-TAB allows one to do just that.
Each meeting is social and you can learn a lot about management and leadership by participating. You can join by contacting our sponsor Sara Huff ([email protected]). Even if you’re unsure about the commitment, there is no penalty for anyone who misses meetings- we understand if you have other obligations! Regardless, we urge you to come to the programs that we create, because there’s something for everyone. We’ve compiled a firsthand account of the library’s happenings and why it may be beneficial for you to involve yourself with the organization through an interview with the coordinator, Sara Huff.
Q: How would you describe your job?
A: I am the Head of Young Adult Services at the Abington Township Public Library. I am in charge of basically anything “teens.” I purchase all of the items in the teen collection (books and movies, and soon: videogames!), I organize everything in the Teen Space (so if you ever have any suggestions for things you want to see there, such as activities or games, let me know!), and I lead all teen programming and teen volunteer opportunities. You can also see me staffing the Information Desk. It’s a lot for sure, but I do love it!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about taking on so many responsibilities for the library?
A: It’s hard to think of one thing! I do love all the aspects of my job, but I really, really do love working with all the teens, especially the teen volunteers. I get to see them grow and flourish over the years. There are some “teens” who I knew back when they were 12, and now they’ve graduated college and started careers! It’s incredible to witness and I feel honored to be a part of it.
Q: What was the most uplifting thing/positive moment that you’ve seen/had in your time working at the library?
A: Working at the Information Desk, I do a lot of “frontline” work, which means that I help a lot of different people with a lot of different tasks. That could mean helping them print something from the computer, helping them find a particular book, or helping them sign up for one of our online resources, like our ebook apps. During the worst part of the COVID pandemic, we often had guests come into the Library needing help applying for jobs. We worked one-on-one with dozens of guests to help them navigate online job searches and job applications, which can be difficult for those guests who are not tech-savvy. It was a frustrating time for all, but sometimes we would have those guests come back into the Library to tell us that they found a job! It was always a wonderful feeling that they chose to come back to the Library and celebrate their achievement with us. This also has happened with guests who have used our quiet rooms to study for exams, such as nursing exams. One guest told us, after coming into the Library almost daily to study, that she passed her exam and was accepted into nursing school. We develop friendly relationships with our guests who frequent the Library, and we always feel honored when they choose to share those celebratory moments with us. It feels like a win for everyone.
Q: Why is it important for teenagers to join AB-TAB?
A: Ab-TAB (Abington Teen Advisory Board) is a place at the Library where teens can have their opinions, thoughts, and suggestions heard and put into practice. We WANT to hear what you have to say! The Library is not just for kids, or just for adults- it’s for teens, too! By joining Ab-TAB, teens get to shape what the Library looks like and what it has to offer for other teens. Ab-TAB members have planned and implemented programs, suggested books for the collection, and created decorations and displays in the Teen Space. They are putting their mark on the Library, and we welcome any teen to join!
