THIS:

in response to this post on the AASLforum

I was asked to start a library club for grades 5-8. Does anyone have a
similar club in their school? If so, what activities do you do and how
often do you meet? I think it could be an amazing club as long as I
can really get the students jazzed up enough about it for them to
join!

I provided :

I have a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for students in 5-8.  Typically I try to have 2-3 representatives from each grade level.  This year I have changed things up a bit, rather than appointing students based on teacher recommendations I am using an application process.  The response has been amazing!  This is a great way to find kids who are really energetic and enthusiastic about the library media program (and getting them to spread that energy around).   The council will be very active this year.  A few of the things they will be working on:

* how to make the school book fair more interesting to Middle School students (many great suggestions are rolling in on this item)
* participating in vendor demos for a new OPAC purchase
* book / magazine / media selection suggestions
* author visits -
* input about ways to use the library space / new furniture

This is truly a leadership and service opportunity for students and follows the lead of the National Youth Participation Guidelines which YALSA has developed for their committees – http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/aboutyalsab/nationalyouth.cfm

Another opportunity might be something like Battle of the Books.  Many states have a competitions like this and it is always a great time.

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Another source of information on this topic is Diane Tuccillo’s “Library Teen Advisory Groups” (Scarecrow, 2005). Diane tells me she is working on an updated book on this topic.

*(image from University of Arizona – http://www.geo.arizona.edu/dgesl/research/regional/asian_monsoon_dynamics/yak.htm)