Revive the library, summer hires’ mission

VICENZA, Italy - The library at U.S. Army Garrison Italy's Caserma Ederle is not so quiet these days.

This summer, patrons find puppets being pushed down the stairs, drama unfolding on the upper floor, suspenseful music playing … and lots of laughter too.

That's because four teenagers, part of the garrison's Summer Hire Program, arrived in June and brought with them a new wave of youthful energy into the building.

Gigi Gaspard, Emma Al-Awaj and Ivan Braasch Plasencia are trying new ways to get community members interested in library services, with the help of Electa Rodriguez, who is a summer hire from the Directorate of Families, Morale, Welfare and Recreation's marketing office.

Their videos are showing up everywhere and people are taking notice. They are having a lot of fun creating the content.

"We make skits and then post them on social media. These past two skits we've been using hand puppets," said Rodriguez, while barely containing a giggle.

Their latest video was for a thriller recommended by the library's book club, with puppets flying down the stairs.

"They're comedy skits, marketed more towards adults, cringy but in a funny type of way," said Al-Awaj, who found a bunch of puppets in the library and helped turn their brainstormed idea into a social media hit.

"We were all laughing at the idea of using puppets and joking about it, until we weren't anymore," Al-Awaj said. "We said 'okay, let's do this!'"

Rodriguez calls it a collaborative effort, writing scripts, acting them out, filming and editing. Funny voices and background music complete the projects. Through this, the teens bonded and strengthened their new-found friendship. Meeting new people is great part of the program, Gaspard said.

"I've seen these people in high school but now I am actually getting to know them," said Gaspard. "I get to be their friend and their coworker. I think it's really cool and I love it."

In all, there were 21 young people involved in the Summer Hire program, geared toward giving work experience to those still in school. In addition to the library, they worked at the post office, arts center, the Arena and Outdoor Recreation. Most were at Caserma Ederle, but some were at Caserma Del Din and at Camp Darby, near Pisa.

What will they do with this experience and the money they earn is different for each.

Braasch Plasencia, who spent time repairing books, wants to save the money he earned for college, where he plans to study history, he said. Gaspard, who's thinking about joining the military, wants to buy her brother a e-reader for his birthday. Al-Awaj, a second timer in the program who may return next year to build her resume, sees her future in forensic psychology. Rodriguez hopes to study law but sees marketing as a way to broaden her horizons.

Each said the Summer Hire program, which concluded on July 26, was a valuable experience - one they would recommend to their peers. They may have to explain how a stuffed owl with a funny voice or a toy bunny sliding down the stairs enhanced that experience, though.

Their supervisor, Michelle Ortiz, watched their creativity blossom over the summer weeks. Clerical tasks set aside, she saw their capabilities and was impressed, she said.

"Their creativity has definitely benefitted us and helped us out a lot," Ortiz said. "With their creative ideas they've helped us make fliers, make displays, posters, crafts."

To see some of their videos, visit the DFMWR Facebook page. Or stop by the library to check out their recommended books and take part in the library's Summer Reading Program.

For more information on the library, visit theDFMWR Website.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.