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Noah Ziegler, 16, at right, talks with Commissioner Cheryl Grieb after the County Commission meeting on Monday. Grieb appointed Ziegler to the Library Advisory Board during the meeting, making him the first minor ever appointed to a county advisory board. NEWS-GAZETTE PHOTO/BRIAN MCBRIDE
This one is for the books.
For the first time in Osceola County history, a minor will be serving on an advisory board.
County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb at the commission meeting on Monday, appointed 16-yearold Noah Ziegler to the Library Advisory Board.
“I am definitely excited,” said Ziegler, who attends NeoCity Academy. “I’ve had an interest in politics for a long time now.”
Unlike some other advisory boards where you have to be old enough to vote to serve, there were no age restrictions for the library board. Grieb cleared it with the county attorney just to be sure.
“I think it brings a unique perspective to our library system, especially being a student,” Grieb said. “I think it’s going to be positive.”
Ziegler said that he saw a news article where teens across the country were getting more involved in local government to give their thoughts and opinions.
“Now, I’m getting the opportunity to do the same thing,” he said. “That makes me really happy and I’m really thankful to Miss Cheryl Grieb for giving me the opportunity.”
The Osceola County Library Advisory Board is a citizen’s advisory board that provides assistance to the Board of County Commissioners to advise them regarding various aspects of the library system.
According to the bylaws, each member of the Advisory Board is expected to promote and support the operation of the Osceola County Library System, including raising awareness within the community of library services.
It’s a two-year position.
Each year, the Library Advisory Board maps out a strategic plan to determine the needs of the community in regards to the library system and how to improve upon it. Grieb noted that last year the board looked at offices on the second floor of the Hart Memorial Library in downtown Kissimmee and determined they weren’t necessary. So, they turned that office space into the children’s library, and through a grant, helped create a learning lab.
Ziegler said he wants to bring a student’s perspective to the library system.
“I know for a fact a public library can be very useful to students who want to expand their reading capabilities,” he added.
Grieb first met Ziegler after his mother reached out to her and asked if there were any county opportunities her son could be involved with because he was interested in government.
Grieb invited him out to a food distribution event in the Maridiya area. But there wasn’t a lot of interest from the public that day, Grieb said, but he showed “enthusiasm” and it allowed him to talk to her about county issues.
“The whole kid perspective was interesting,” Grieb said.
So when there was an opening on the Library Advisory Board in Grieb’s district 4, she thought of Ziegler.
Grieb said a young person wanting to get involved in government gave her “great hope.” She said he could bring fresh ideas and perspectives.
“They always say the kids are our future and that’s absolutely true,” Grieb added. “So to have someone at such a young age that wants to understand it (government) better and be involved in some way, I think that’s great.”
