As the temperature drops, the Carmel Clay Public Library (CCPL) heats up with a variety of events designed to bring the community together. 

Many of the student-focused events are brought to life through the efforts of the Teen Library Council (TLC), an advisory board made up of high school students who meet monthly to discuss all forms of media and provide input to library issues related to teens. 

Zach Reynolds, CCPL Teen Services Librarian, highlighted an upcoming prominent event this winter: Dreamscapes, scheduled for Feb. 10. Previously known as the Yule Ball, the event is fantasy-themed and features games, dancing, and other various festivities. 

“(Dreamscapes) used to be Harry Potter-themed and it’s now shifted more to general fantasy,” Reynolds said. “Dreamscapes is actually after hours–when we close the library down. Just high school students come and hang out,” he said. “ We have a room for dancing, movies, food and snacks, craft stuff, and just hanging out after the library is closed. It’s winter-themed as well.”

Junior Ava Liao, current TLC board member and former social officer, said TLC members contribute greatly to the realization of these events.

“For winter events, TLC members are given the opportunity to create new ideas or build existing ones,” Liao said. “The process for this mainly evolves to get through both logistic and creative aspects,” she said. “We will consider factors like age range, time, feasibility, as well as aesthetics, decorations, and activities. Discussion of these are very open-ended and since there are several nights of TLC, it’s very interesting to see all of our ideas compile at the end.”

Liao said another important factor of realizing these events is advertising.  

“A lot of effort is put into promoting such events,” Liao said, “We’ve been promoting these library events at the library itself as well as social media, and we have CHTV announcements for larger events.” 

TLC member and junior Manvi Musunuru said she collaborates with her peers to implement other strategies for promoting events. 

 “We use Instagram the most to advertise the events, (but) we also make use of physical flyers around the school,” Musunuru said.

Reynolds said opportunities for teen involvement with the library continue to expand.

“If high school students have an idea for a program, we’ll actually work with you and then help you lead a program for something you’re passionate about or excited about,” Reynolds said. 

Reynolds said interest in creating community events at the CCPL has been increasing. Because of the numerous requests made by students, the library now has a formal process for applying to host an event at the library, with limited days and time slots available. 

Musunuru emphasized the value of participating in library-hosted events. 

“It lets you get connected with other students,” Musunuru said. “You don’t really get to talk with the people you have the same interests as that often. The events also help you get involved with different volunteering opportunities.”

Reynolds agreed and said hosting events at the library is a beneficial learning experience for students, which the library continues to provide support for.

“I think there are many transferable skills that you can learn from (getting involved with events at the library) that you might not be able to get in the classroom setting,” Reynolds said. “It can give you responsibility, time management, standing in front of people talking, all that stuff is all stuff that transfers really well into the real world. And so we’re all about trying to help you guys get through that transition and help smooth that process.” 

By being involved in the planning process of creating winter events, Liao said TLC members recognize the value of being involved from the beginning stages. 

“It’s very interesting to see all of our ideas compile at the end,” Liao said. “This is my fifth year with the TLC board and I was previously a social officer for two out of those years, I think having those several years of experience has definitely helped me a lot with understanding the library’s qualities and values.”