Morgan Green-Griffin, a librarian at the Cozby Library and Community Commons, received the 2022 Young Adult Reading Incentive Award (YARI) from the Texas Library Association (TLA). The YARI Award honors a librarian who has shown exceptional ability in motivating young adults to read by developing and implementing a reading incentive program for grades 6-12.
Green-Griffin received the award for the Teen LitBox reading incentive program which ditches the traditional carrot and stick concept. Instead of working toward a prize, the personalized book selections and themed contents are the prize and help to keep teens engaged with library programming and reading. The program was designed to support two pillars of the City of Coppell’s Vision 2040 plan: Perpetuate a Learning Environment and Foster an Inclusive Community Fabric.
“I love connecting young adults with books that both match their preferences, but also potentially expand their reading habits," Green-Griffin said. “Teen LitBox does that in an exciting and unique way.”
Each Teen LitBox includes two library books, City of Coppell promotional items, products from small businesses or artists, snacks, and an informational brochure. Previous themes include Black History Month, Poetry Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Pride Month, and more. The library provides theme details and registration through their online calendar. During registration, teens detail their reading preferences to ensure Green-Griffin selects the best books for them.
During a fall 2021 program survey, teen respondents provided overwhelmingly positive feedback. One teen commented, “I think it's a really neat way to showcase different cultures through both the items in the boxes and the books themselves. I really enjoyed them, and I enjoyed having the chance to read books that I may not have otherwise checked out for myself.”
The Cozby Library’s upcoming April Teen LitBox is graphic novel themed. Registrants can choose to receive a free copy of Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao. The Library will host an author visit with Gao at 5 pm, Sunday, May 1.
Green-Griffin will be recognized and receive her engraved award plaque at the TLA annual conference in April. For more information about the YARI award and additional Teen LitBox information, visit the TLA’s website. For more information about the library, go online, call 972-304-3658 or send an email.
Morgan Green-Griffin, MLS, CVA started her career as a librarian in March 2018 at the Cozby Library and Community Commons. She focuses on teen services, including collection development, programming, and volunteerism. In addition to being an award-winning librarian, Green- Griffin received the 2021 Impact Award for being an Emerging Leader in volunteerism from the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement.