High Schooler Introducing ‘Social Reading’ to Mahwah Kids

A Mahwah High School junior is hosting a “social reading” experience for Mahwah kids and teens that she says she hopes will foster a love of reading through the use of social media.

Julia Bauer, a Girl Scout working toward her Gold Award, is hosting Social Reading for kids in grades five and up at the Mahwah Public Library Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The hour-long program is designed to introduce township kids to online communities that use social media to enhance the reading experience.

“Using social media like that is something that I do myself,” Bauer told Patch of how she got the idea for the event. “It began when I was eleven years old, waiting for the last Harry Potter book to come out, and I looked up more info about it online. That's how I found the fansites, forums, and so on. It just grew from there.”

Since then, Bauer has become a forum manager, and now writes for an online magazine.

“The event this Wednesday is to introduce kids to the idea of using social media as something that supplements and enhances reading,” she said.

Wednesday’s seminar is the first of Bauer’s two-part project. This Fall, she plans to host a book fair that helps bring books to life. The fair, she said, will have dressed-up characters, and introductions to social media outlets for readers.

“I'm hoping that these programs provide kids a solid introduction to these communities, so they can know where to start if they're interested in getting involved,” Bauer said.

Kids fifth grade and older are invited to “Social Reading” at the library this Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. The event is free and does not require an RSVP.

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