2012 Youth Service Award Nomination – Evangeline Reid

As soon as you meet Evangeline Reid, you can tell that she is an outstanding young adult with a passion for community service. She has donated 170 hours of her time by volunteering in a variety of ways at the Naperville Public Library. In particular, she has had a huge impact on services to teens through her involvement with the Teen Advisory Group (TAG Team). This group helps to plan teen programs, to assist with events, and to make the Library a better place for teens. Evangeline has been a member of this group for nearly four years and has led the team as president for the past two years. She conducts each meeting with skill and is always thoughtful in her responses to her peers. Her passion for TAG Team and for improving the Library encourages all members to strive to be more involved.

Last spring, Evangeline took charge of a project to create a commercial for teens about the Summer Reading Program. She organized planning committees and met with other members outside of regular TAG Team meetings to plan the video. She helped to write the script, acquire a musician, coordinate filming, and direct the film. Her enthusiasm about the project made the dream of a commercial a reality. Several TAG Team members participated in the video. The Library used this video on the website, and staff brought it on school visits to encourage students to sign up for the Summer Reading Program. Students were very receptive to the video because they could relate to the actors! The video also helped to generate interest in TAG Team. This project is just one example of Evangeline’s leadership skills. She continually drives the group to do more for the community, and this drive is an inspiration for the Library staff, patrons, and her peers alike.

Her volunteer spirit at the Library actually began in 2006 as a Summer Reading Program volunteer. This past summer was her 6th consecutive year volunteering for this program. To add depth to Evangeline’s Library experience, she was appointed by the Mayor’s office to serve on the Library Board of Trustees for 2011- 2012. Evangeline Reid certainly exemplifies the asset-building criteria of achievement, involvement, and building a service ethic.