As glitter and other miscellaneous art supplies fly through the air, a group of teens frantically try to perfect a book display for the Fairlawn Library. These motley teens, from different schools and areas of Ohio, all have one thing in common, a love of literature. These students belong to the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) where they volunteer.

Senior Olivia Mesecar has been a part of the teen advisory board since she was in eighth grade. Her love of reading and the Fairlawn library lured her to this opportunity. The Teen Advisory Board meets a couple times each month, volunteering to do many fun tasks as Mesecar stated.

“We sort books or we will package books to go to juvenile detention centers. Sometimes we will donate books. We have even gotten to make a few displays and those are fun because we will do seasonal ones. One of my favorite meetings was when they took us on a tour of the entire library,” Mesecar said.

The Teen Advisory Board not only welcomes Akron students, but students from all over Northeastern Ohio. Mesecar explains that many students from different schools are on the board.

“People from CVCA (Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) [and] a lot of people from the downtown Akron area and some people from a charter S.T.E.M. (science, engineering, technology, and mathematics) school are on the Teen Advisory Board. I have gotten to meet a bunch of different people doing [the program],” Mesecar said.

Mesecar has met many new people through this library program. The teens continue to communicate with each other outside of their volunteering. Mesecar shared that she has discussed with other TAB members about plans for a new display or general book suggestions. Mesecar described the lasting friendships formed through this program.

“I have met some really good friends. One girl graduated last year and I got to go to her graduation party, which was a lot of fun. I met a girl from a S.T.E.M. school and she taught me a lot about computers and using the library database. That helped when I went to do research for school papers. So it is nice because you get to meet new people who you otherwise would not really meet,” Mesecar said.

Mesecar had been going to the Fairlawn library long before beginning her volunteering job there. Mesecar also stated that she goes there often even when she is not on the job. Mesecar described the atmosphere of the library when she enters through the doors.

“I have been going there for several years, so it is like a sense of familiarity. When I am stressed about school or something else it is nice to just go and chill out and talk with people. I always get new books while I am there,” Mesecar said.

Mesecar’s mom, Jami Mesecar Hope, suggested this opportunity to her daughter around five years ago.

“Olivia is a voracious reader, ever since she was a baby, she would sit up in her crib ‘reading’ board books — when she was supposed to be napping! I thought it would be a place where she could connect with other lovers of books and contribute to the library system,” Hope said.

Hope described Mesecar’s inherited love of literature and their family’s relationship with the downtown library.

“My mom took us to the library every week growing up and we had to do the summer reading clubs. When I was in high school, I would go to the library to study. Olivia’s grandparents are all readers. Her grandmothers are in book clubs and her grandfathers have libraries of books on history,” Hope said.

Hope shares her view on volunteering and her hopes for Mesecar’s future at the Fairlawn library.

“Volunteering, in any capacity, is good for the heart and soul. There are so many needs in the community that cannot be met by paid positions. Giving your time, especially when you are a young person, feels good because you are filling a need and using your boundless energy constructively. I hope Olivia continues to volunteer in causes she believes in,” Hope said.

Hope shows her satisfaction for the positive effect volunteering has had on Mesecar. She is glad that Mesecar has found such a beneficial outlet for her passions.

“She loves the projects that they work on. She has enjoyed getting to know the librarians and meeting other teens who love books. She has completed projects with students from other schools who she may not have ever met,” Hope said.

Sophomore and sister of Olivia, Paige Mesecar joined TAB in eighth grade. Mesecar shares the family experiences she shares with her sister at the Akron Library.

“Olivia joined first, and then convinced me to come along. We always have fun going together,” Mesecar said.
Mesecar gave her thoughts on her future at TAB in the Akron Library.

“Volunteering with TAB is always new and exciting, we do a wide variety of projects so meetings are never boring,” Mesecar said.

The Akron Library Teen Advisory Board is available to anyone with a love of books who wants to join.