Independence High School’s Book Club is a club that anyone who enjoys reading shouldn’t think twice about joining. The club meets once a week on Tuesday’s at 2:45.
Book Club was formerly titled as “Media Center Club” fourteen years ago before earning the change in name to what it is now known as. This decision was made by Stephanie Ehrick, the librarian in the Media Center and sponsor of the club.
“It used to be called ‘Media Center Club’, which I don’t think had a lot of appeal,” Ehrick shares, “so I changed it to ‘Book Club’ because I wanted an opportunity for kids who like to read to meet other kids who also liked to read to socialize with each other. We want this club to be lighthearted and not an academic thing. Because this is also my library club, the club serves as a ‘Library Student Council’”.
Members from Book Club assist around the Media Center. In doing so, they pitch in ideas for possible future events that the club may want to host and participate in.
Some of the events that Book Club has participated in have been Trunk-or-Treat, hosted by Independence’s National Honor Society, and Future Freshman Night, in which incoming freshmen get a chance to view clubs and activities that will allow them to enjoy their high school experience.
While there have been years where members of the club aren’t interested in participating in volunteer work outside of school, the decision is ultimately up to the group of the current school year. In previous years for example, volunteering was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
This year’s group however, is interested in hosting activities that are enjoyed throughout the Glendale community, more specifically with the public library. Such activities include hosting a kids puppet show and family night in which the volunteers will read to children and their parents, forming a close relationship with them.
Book Club is responsible for hosting D.E.A.R Day at school, also known as Drop Everything And Read. “I am really excited for D.E.A.R Day,” Ehrick enthusiastically affirms. “We are going to do shirts and the students will help me promote the big day!” This year, D.E.A.R Day will be organized during second semester and will occur during third hour for one hour straight. It is not a mandatory activity, but homeroom teachers are welcomed to participate in.
“Book Club is a very low stress, supportive, fun, and an enjoyable club for book lovers.”