Altoona Area Public Library Executive Director Jennifer Knisely and AAPL Board President Patrick Fanelli introduced kid librarians (from left) Theo, 6; Olive, 10; and Jake, 7. Emma, 6, is not pictured. Courtesy photo

Altoona Area Public Library’s newest — and youngest — librarians are proving that age doesn’t define a love of reading.

Created by the library’s children’s service staff, kid librarians Emma, Theo, Jake and Olive were recently selected to share their love of reading with local children. As kid librarians, they are tasked with creating displays this summer featuring their favorite books.

“It’s basically a way to recognize and appreciate these kids that really want other kids to learn and love to read as much as they do,” library Executive Director Jennifer Knisely said.

After the children’s service staff created the program in mid-spring, interested children submitted their applications before the final candidates were chosen. The book display series will begin June 15 and run until Aug. 15.

Emma, 6, was approached by one of the librarians about joining the new program when spending time at the library, her mother, Maria Eckels, said. Her daughter was both surprised and excited when she was chosen.

“It makes me feel happy,” Emma said.

Emma enjoys reading chapter books, including “The Baby-Sitters Club” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” as well as a few graphic novels and comic books,

Eckels said. Her daughter loves to read aloud to her father and brother. Her display is scheduled from June 15 to 22.

Being a kid librarian is more than spreading the love of books, Eckels said, as Emma can interact with her local community at a young age.

“I think it’s really special for her to be chosen for this and able to give back a little bit to the library,” she said.

Theo, 6, also enjoys being part of the library, according to his mother, Mahra Henry.

“He adores the library and everyone who works here, so being part of that in any sense is very special,” Henry said.

While Theo likes books by Dr. Seuss, Henry said he currently likes to read “Frog and Toad,” and

Ninjago, Pokemon and Minecraft content. With each book, he continues to surpass reading expectations and challenge himself.

Henry said her son is excited about his position, as his display is slated for June 29 to July 6.

“He can’t wait to show everyone his current favorite books with all his current interests,” Henry said.

Jake, 7, also expressed interest in the program after checking out a book at the library, his father Brian Seymour said.

His favorite book series is “The Hardy Boys,” which follows two teenage brothers who solve crimes. He’s also started a few other series, including “Goosebumps” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

It also helps that Seymour reads to his son every night, but he selects books from his personal book collection by John Steinbeck and Kurt Vonnegut.

“He is eager to share the stuff he’s into, reading-wise, with other kids, but he is discovering his taste,” Seymour said, adding that Jake’s display, including some underrated children’s books, will be available from July 27 to Aug. 3.

Olive, 10, is also looking forward to spreading her love of reading with other local children.

“I love reading and want to share it with other kids,” she said.

Mother Jennifer Boyles said it’s important to instill the love of reading at a young age, as she said the modern world is constantly engaging with tablets, electronics and games.

When Olive was an older toddler, her parents got her an Altoona Area Public Library card and continue to take her there today.

They’ve also annually participated in the 1,000-book reading challenge, where Olive has either read the books herself or read them with her parents. Olive has read 820 books so far this year.

“Kids grow up really fast, and it’s a special time we all have, and I hope when she gets older, she can do it with her children one day and remember how much we enjoyed doing it with her,” Boyles said.

Olive is considering adding favorites “Charlotte’s Web” and “King and Kayla” to her display slated for July 13 to 20.

With the creation of the kid librarian program, Knisely said the local community can create a closer connection with the Altoona Area Public Library.

“It’s a way of inviting others in the library and promoting an inclusive space where kids can show off what they like to read, and you never know what you might discover here,” she said.