This year, a new leadership opportunity was created in order to help Sarah Levin, The Urban School’s librarian, get students to be more enthusiastic about reading.

Library Leaders was formed because students had been talking to Levin about ways to get their peers to take advantage of library resources. Levin says that the Library Leaders “want to encourage library use and develop a life-long love of reading.”

Before Thanksgiving break began, the group hosted a book fair to entice students to borrow books. They have also created displays that highlight certain genres, which can be found on the first floor and in the library. They often post brief reviews of books on the school’s electronic bulletin board.

There are six members of the group: Celia Robertson (’11), Sophie Raynor (’11), Elly Fireside-Ostergaard (’12), Kate Riccitello (’12), Zoe Pleasure (’12), and Vikram Chan-Herur (’13). These students applied last spring and may keep their positions in coming years if they desire. This spring, any interested students may apply.

Library Leaders have been hard at work planning another book fair that will happen on Dec. 16. In the future, Library Leaders want to host more book fairs as well as have author visits. The group has also collaborated with other clubs, such as the Multicultural Team, and hopes to continue this practice in the future as well as expand to other groups in the school community.

“So many people read school books and spend time watching Hulu movies that people forget how fun reading is,” Fireside-Ostergaard says.