New student trustee to bring teen perspective to Bartlett library board

Seventeen-year-old Renee Winget can add Bartlett Public Library student trustee to her already impressive list of academic and extracurricular accomplishments.

Winget, a Bartlett High School senior, was formally sworn in at the library's board meeting on Oct. 20. She will bring a welcome teen perspective and voice to the board and has made it a personal goal to engage her peers to ensure they are familiar with the library and all it has to offer.

As a Bartlett Public Library volunteer and active member of the Teen Advisory Board, Winget has made important contributions in the creation of teen programs and activities and in the selection of books and materials purchased for teens. She is excited to bring a student perspective to the board, and her first act as student trustee was to request special permission to hold an after-hours teen event at the Bartlett Public Library. Based on her proposal, the board approved an Open Mic Night for seventh- through 12th-graders, set for 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.

Winget described herself as "having grown up in the library" and suggests her involvement and volunteer efforts have served as a catalyst for personal self-growth and achievement.

"The activities I've been a part of, the resources I've utilized, and the friendships I've made have changed my outlook and perspective. These experiences have given me the self-confidence and drive I need to make a positive contribution to the library and the board of trustees."

Winget will graduate from Bartlett High School in May. In addition to her new responsibility as a student trustee, she is involved in school activities as a member of the National Honor Society, math team, marching band and a Peer Leader. She is in the process of deciding where she will attend college in the fall of 2015 but plans to study physics and computer science.

Her appointment to the board of trustees will extend through August of 2015.

The Bartlett Public Library District, 800 S. Bartlett Road, provides programs and services to meet the needs of the community. For information and a complete listing of scheduled programs, call (630) 837-2855 or visit www.bartlettlibrary.org.

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