Community Corner

Lafayette Teen Begins Campaign To Teach People How To Take Better Care Of Books

Acalanes High senior Teresa Lo is earning her Girl Scout Gold Award with her community project

Teresa Lo saw the mistreatment first hand when she volunteered a few years ago at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

Children would fold the edge of a book page to keep their place.

Adults would spill coffee or other liquid on the pages while they read.

"I saw a lot of poorly treated books," said the 17-year-old senior at Acalanes High.

So, when Lo began her quest this year to earn a Gold Award with the Girl Scouts, she knew what her project would be.

Lo put together a 5-minute video on how to properly take care of books. The video is now on YouTube.

She also made posters detailing the right way and wrong way to care for books. Among the tips are keep books dry, read with clean hands and turn pages carefully.

She also made bookmarks with those same messages.

The posters and bookmarks are now in the school libraries at Lafayette Elementary, Happy Valley Elementary, Burton Valley Elementary, Springhill Elementary and Stanley Middle School. They're also in the San Pablo public library.

Marissa Comins, the librarian at Lafayette Elementary, sent Lo an email this week, telling her how effective the program has been.

“All of the classes at our school have seen your video during their library class last week and each student received a bookmark," wrote Comins. "They loved the video!! When I showed it, in the lower grades I saw an awful lot of huge eyes and 'oh my gosh!' statements that students would do such bad things to books. In the upper grades there was a lot of laughing and 'that is so funny, who would do that?!' The video really made an impact upon them."

Lo said it's important to get this message out to the younger students.

"When something starts at a young age, it's easier for it to become a habit," she said.

Lo learned a little about the business world along the way, too.

Minuteman Press owner Steve Palsa donated the professional printing cost of the posters and bookmarks.

Makoyi Watson created the designs for the posters and bookmarks, too.

Lo not only believes in taking care of books, she's a big believer in helping the community one lives in.

Lo has been a Girl Scout for 12 years now, doing projects that help neighborhoods in her town.

"I like the Girl Scouts because they help out with the community and with my leadership and planning skills," she said.

Lo hopes to study a science at a liberal arts college. She's not sure yet what profession she'll pursue, but she wants it to be one where she'll be helping others.

"Helping people makes me happy and it makes others happy," said Lo.

It's a lesson she's learned at school, in the Scouts and at home with her parents, both of whom immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong.

"I have had such a good life growing up here. Most people don't have what I have," said Lo. "I want to help people experience that."


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