Sidney Library Hosts New Group for Area Teens

A new group for teens is meeting once a month at Sidney's Public Library to discuss and learn about the importance of free speech and communications in modern society. Library Director Amanda Eastin had the idea for the group, which is a small group of teens aged 13-to-18, and they meet once a month at the library.

Their first meeting's topic was on elections and the value of the individuals' right to vote, and how just one vote can make a difference. Eastin had a container with scrapes of paper and each member of the group taking one and reading about a controversial law or initiative that was passed by just one vote. A timely and topical lesson for young people to understand, while also being a fun and interesting exercise on history.

“The group generally decides what the topic will be for each session, but sometimes I help them decide,” said Eastin.

On Thursday January 12 from 4-to-6 p.m the group next meets at the Sidney Public Library. This month's topic is origami. Seemingly a strange topic for a “Free Speech” group, Eastin explained, “Origami has a long and interesting history of being a method of expression and communication for some cultures. It is very important to understand how powerful and influential non-verbal communication is relating to matters of free speech”.

For more information or to join the group, contact the Sidney Public Library at 308-254-3110 or visit http://www.sidneypubliclibrary.org.