This month we've got not one, but two Reading Activists for you. Andrea and Ylenia, both fifteen, have been part of the Reading Activists project in Gateshead for almost a year. They have been involved in organising lots of events and are both enthusiastic and hard working members of the group.

In his spare time, Andrea enjoys reading books and watching TV and Ylenia likes playing on the computer and listening to music. The last event they worked on was a Lemony Snicket film screening.

We spoke to them to find out about their experience.

What do you enjoy most about Reading Activists?

Andrea: The thing that I enjoy the most about being a Reading Activist is that I can spend time with my friends to help other teenagers to come more often to the library and encourage them to read more and show them that a library is not a boring place like everyone thinks it is. Plus, while I was here, I have met some wonderful people that have been so friendly with us and helped us in any way possible to show us that the library can be kind of your second home.

Ylenia: Organising events and finding out what young people really like.

How has Reading Activists changed you?

Andrea: Being a reading activist has sure changed me, I never really got along with libraries, but now that I'm a Reading Activist I see what the library has to offer to people like us. Joining the Reading Activists has been an inspiration, and since I've joined I feel much more comfortable and confident.

Ylenia: It changed me, becasue I feel more myself and I can express my ideas. This helped me, because it tells me that I'm creative.

What would you say to a friend who is thinking of becoming a Reading Activist?

Andrea: Well, not everybody is willing to come to the library, but I would say to them "Just give it a try you might like this place. For me it's like being at home."

Ylenia: "Hey! Join in, becasue it's fun and you get to know the amazing librarians. Furthermore, you can show that you are creative and have different ideas"

What have you learnt/what skills have you gained?

Andrea: Since I joined the group, I've had to talk more to the people that come to the library to convince them to come to our events. I was a little shy at first but now I've got a lot more confidence. Also, since I've joined the Reading Activists group I've learned how to share my ideas of what could be improved or what we could do better to attract more people to come to the library.

Ylenia: What I learnt is how to organise events and how to spend the budget!

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Interested in building your CV through volunteering or like the idea of meeting new friends whilst helping out at your local library? Find out more about Reading Activists and what you can do for yourself and for your local community.