Teenagers set up book group at Ellesmere Library

A group of young people have formed their own reading group at Ellesmere Library – proving that not all teenagers are totally hooked on social media.

Victoria Moughton,17, Josh Martin.14 ,Evie Edwards,12 and Charlotte Hynes,12 set up the after-school book club three months ago and it now has 10 members.

The idea came about after the four youngsters became volunteers at the library during the summer holidays, to gain work experience.

Founder members of the Ellesmere teens book club, (from left ) Victoria Moughton, Josh Martin, Evie Edwards and Charlotte Hynes  (Picture: David Atkinson)

Sheila Williams, branch manager, explained:-

“They were so enthusiastic and they really got involved in the library’s activities. By the end of the holidays they were keen to start their own book club. It’s been a great success and the club is now fully subscribed.”

Meetings are held once a month, when the youngsters review the previous month’s author and rate the books they have read out of five.

Club members enjoy a lively discussion on the latest author (Picture: David Atkinson)

Sheila added:-

“Currently, most books seem to the scoring highly with lots of fours and fives. Volunteer Evie then gives a short Powerpoint presentation prepared by Victoria, on the next author and someone reads a passage from the book, before copies are shared out among the other members.

“To have a teenage reading group is unusual, especially when research has found that teenagers seem to be reading less than they used to, because they’re spending a lot of time looking at social media or playing games on their tablets and phones.

“I think it’s the first self-led group of its kind in a Shropshire library, and it’s lovely to hear them chatting so enthusiastically about the books they have read and hearing bursts of laughter as well.”

As one of the club’s founders, 12-year old-Charlotte said:-

“I’m really enjoying it because it’s a great way to find out about books that I might not have thought about reading before…and it’s different from the books that we read at school.

“It’s also a good way to make new friends. We all seem to be like-minded through our love of books and we have some good discussions. We don’t always agree, but it’s interesting to exchange ideas and hear what other people think about different authors.”

Any teenager wishing to add name to the waiting list to join the club should email ellesmere.library@shropshire.gov.uk

Further information

For more information, please contact Sheila Williams, branch manager, Ellesmere Library, on 01743 258555.

Please note the library is open only on Tuesdays; Fridays; and Saturday mornings.