Here's what happened at a special "Teen Advisory Board" meeting held on Monday, August 30th at 2:00 PM.
The main issues that were discussed were:
* Acquiring more laptops for the teen section.
* Acquiring more space and more tables for teens to sit quietly and comfortably while doing their homework.
* Acquiring more Audio Books, DVDs, and possibly Playaways and keeping them in a designated "Teen" shelving area. (The good news is, that progress has already been made to relocate DVDs and Audio Books that are considered as "Young Adult" (YA) and shelve them in their own section which is across from the Teen Librarian's desk).
* Installing better and more up-to-date laptop software such as the Microsoft Office 2010 package, to help students more efficiently when typing papers and homework assignments.
* It was recommended that the age that teens can use the internet for homework assignments be dropped from 14 to 11 or 12 years old.
* The teens requested that there be more signs indicating where to find our section, and would like the walls to be painted a more vibrant color.
* Many teens offered to be the Teen Librarian's volunteer assistant to help out in the teen section when she is busy having programs, or could use help with noise and crowd control. They suggested being given special badges or nametags to wear also.
* Several teens stressed again, and again the importance of their being an official library assistant to the Teen Librarian. The reasons being that Denise J. could definitely use the help, it would help tip the balance of equality a little more favorably between the Teen section and the Children's Department, and most importantly having an official assistant in the Teen section would help to better serve the needs of more patrons. It would also take some of the burden off of the Reference staff who kindly help teen patrons when Denise J. is not available.
* Teens offered to help spread the word about teen programs, and volunteer opportunities.
* Another issue that was mentioned several times was the need to have the YA "Nonfiction" books moved over into the area where the YA "Fiction," YA "Graphic Novels," YA laptops, and now the YA "DVDs" and YA "Audio Books" are located. By doing so, teens expressed that they would feel more comfortable looking for books for their reports and wouldn't feel intimidated by having to go into the "Adult" Nonfiction area, it would be less confusing to find "their" books, and also it would generate a positive way of looking at this area as not a "section" of the library, but rather as an important and vital "department" of the library.
Denise J. the Teen Librarian, and all of the teens who attended the meeting would like to extend our thanks to both Mr. Hadeler the library's Director, and to Mrs. Bostrom the library's Supervising Librarian. They graciously took time away from their busy schedules to hear our opinions, and to offer their support. We are all truly excited and ready to move forward in a positive direction.
Hey teens,
I hope you enjoyed a really great summer. I just finished up a very busy, but totally awesome summer reading club as well as having had many other exciting teen programs too. So now I'm looking forward to the start of what I hope will be a truly rewarding school year.
Many teens only thought that there were programs for them during the summer, so I'm posting the September program schedule for teens in grades 6 - 12. I'm happy to say that I try and plan as many fun and interesting programs as I can throughout the entire school year as well. So I'm hoping that many of you will consider participating.
Thanks,
Denise J.
Teen Librarian
SEPTEMBER'S TEEN PROGRAMS:
September is “National Library Card Sign-Up Month,” and during this special month teens in grades 6 & up receive a small prize or treat when they show the Teen Librarian their valid library card.
“Write On!” Teen Writers’ Group for grades 6 & up; Thursday, September 2nd at 3:30 PM. Do you enjoy writing fiction, poetry, plays, comics or manga? If you answered yes, then join our Teen Writers’ group. The group meets twice a month so teens can share and work on their writing and ideas, receive feedback on their writing, and “free write” just for fun! Teens are asked to bring a notebook or a journal. (Sign-up begins on Monday, August 16th).
“Miscellaneous Music” for grades 6 & up; Tuesday, September 7th at 3:15 PM. If you like music and want to share your thoughts with other teens, then you’ll want to join this great, monthly club. Bring your iPod or a favorite CD to share with the group. (Sign-up begins on Monday, August 23rd).
“Anime/Manga Club” for grades 6 & up; Monday, September 13th at 3:15 PM. The club meets twice a month to watch anime, discuss manga and play games. (Sign-up begins on Monday, August 30th).
“Teen Advisory Board” (T.A.B.) for grades 6 & up; Tuesday, September 14th at 3:15 PM. The group meets one Tuesday a month. Teens suggest and develop new, teen library programs, and also volunteer in the library. Come on in, speak up, and let us know what you think! (Sign-up begins on Monday, August 30th).
“Scrapbooking Fun” for grades 6 & up; Wednesday, September 15th at 3:15 PM. Teens are asked to bring their favorite pictures and their own scrapbook or photo album. All other materials will be supplied by the library. (Sign-up begins on Monday, August 30th).
“Write On!” Teen Writers’ Group for grades 6 & up; Thursday, September 16th at 3:30 PM. The group meets twice a month so teens can share and work on their writing and ideas, receive feedback on their writing, and “free write” just for fun!
“Anime/Manga Club” for grades 6 & up; Monday, September 27th at 3:15 PM. The club meets twice a month to watch anime, discuss manga and play games.
“Food For Thought Teen Book Discussion Group” for grades 6 – 10; Tuesday, September 28th at 3:15 PM. The group meets one Tuesday a month and teens can choose any book that they’ve read to discuss. (Sign-up begins on Tuesday, September 7th).
“Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief” teen movie for grades 6 & up; Wednesday, September 29th at 3:15 PM. Refreshments will be served, and sign-up is not necessary. This film is rated “PG.”
“Gaming Club” for grades 6 & up; Thursday September 30th at 3:30 PM. This cool club meets twice a month. Teens will have fun playing various Nintendo “Wii” games.
AND COMING IN OCTOBER.....
Calling all "Harry Potter" fans!!! Do you love all things "Harry Potter?" Are you NOT ready to say goodbye to this beloved series? Do you like to play games, discuss great books, answer trivia questions, and make new friends? If you answered "yes" to these questions, then come and join the new and exciting "Harry Potter Club." The club will meet two Fridays a month unless there are special schedule conflicts. Our first meeting will be on Friday, October 15th at 3:15 PM.
(Sign-up begins on Monday, September 27th).
2010 - TEEN READ WEEK REVIEWS
Hi everyone,
I'd like to thank all of the teens who participated in this year's special raffle contest by submitting these AWESOME reviews. Congratulations to all of our winners too!!! Happy reading. : )
Denise J.
Teen Librarian
Reviewer: J. M. (Grade 7)
Title: "Life As We Knew It"
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Review: This book is very addicting! It is about when the moon gets closer to the Earth and about how life changes for everyone.
Reviewer: C. K. (Grade 9)
Title: "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief"
Author: Rick Riordan
Review: Very good book; Descriptive, suspenseful, and full of action and adventure; Recommended.
Reviewer: M. G. (Grade 7)
Title: "Zatch Bell" (Manga)
Author: Makoto Raiku
Review: A little kidche's not a kid. He's running to become king. He needs help by a human. But who? Find out by reading.
Reviewer: J. C. (Grade 6)
Title: "Room One"
Author: "Andrew Clements"
Review: It's good. Do you like mysteries? Well this book has mysteries that will blow your mind away from this planet. So now would you like to read this book? I know I can't get enough of it.
Reviewer: A. H. (Grade 9)
Title: "City of Bones"
Author: Cassandra Clare
Review: It's a great book with major suspense and action. Plus the romance and humor teens love.
Reviewer: D. B. (Grade 12)
Title: "This World We Live In"
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was better than the 2nd one. I think it ended kind of badly though. I would have enjoyed it more if I knew she was writing another book.
Reviewer: A. N. H. (Grade 5)
Title: "Warriors" (series)
Author: Erin Hunter
Review: This book is about a cat named Rusty who adventures into the wild and becomes part of a clan. There are four clans in this book: Shadow Clan, River Clan, Wind Clan, and Thunder Clan (Rusty's clan).
Reviewer: D. L. (Grade 9)
Title: "Mockingjay"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: It was really confusing at some parts, but I still enjoyed the ending.
Reviewer: A. A. (Grade 7)
Title: "Tending to Grace"
Author: Kimberly Newton Fusco
Review: This book is about a girl who has a mom who ruined her life. She now lives with her great aunt who has a totally different lifestyle. This book is a great story about SOME everyday lives.
Reviewer: L. D. (Grade 9)
Title: "Crescendo" (sequel to "Hush, Hush")
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Review: It wasn't that good. Patch wasn't there for like half the book. Then the writing really wasn't that good, and the main character just annoyed me.
Reviewer: H. M. (Grade 9)
Title: "Mockingjay"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: I liked it because of Alma Coin.
Reviewer: A. W. (Grade 7)
Title: "The Red Pyramid"
Author: Rick Riordan
Review: I didn't like this book because there were too many characters and unlike Greek myths, there were lots of Egyptian myths that I didn't know of and it was hard to understand.
Reviewer: B. M. (Grade 6)
Title: "Elsewhere"
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Review: "Elsewhere" is a very good book about a girl who dies and about her life in heaven. It's a good book for people who like to read about the afterlife.
Reviewer: A. W. (Grade 9)
Title: "Harry Potter" (series)
Author: J. K. Rowling
Review: Harry Potter is an absolutely fabulous series with adventure at every turn, plots to foil, and friendships to help young Harry along the way.
Reviewer: M. G. (Grade 7)
Title: "Whistle" (Manga)
Author: Daisuke Higuchi
Review: Gooooal! Love soccer? Well so does a kid named Sho. He loves soccer but never was put on the field. Find out what happens to him.
Reviewer: M. G. (Grade 7)
Title: "H. I. V. E." (Higher Institute of Villainous Education)
Author: Mark Walden
Review: Evil! One kid gets accepted to an evil, secret school. It's like any ordinary school but you can't leave. Join him and his friends on an adventure of a lifetime.
Reviewer: M. G. (Grade 7)
Title: "The Hunger Games"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: In Panem, a death game on live TV takes place. 16 year old Katniss needs to face deadly challenges to win.
Reviewer: D. B. (Grade 12)
Title: "Mockingjay"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: This book was amazing! I loved this series so much and this was a great ending for a great series! I would recommend this book to everyone!
Reviewer: D. B. (Grade 12)
Title: "Mountains Beyond Mountains"
Author: Tracy Kidder
Review: I had to read this as a required summer reading book and I thought it was terrible! I couldn't finish it, and I only got half way through it!
Reviewer: A. H. (Grade 9)
Title: "Unwind"
Author: Neal Shusterman
Review: It was a good book that makes you think of how you're living your life now.
Reviewer: J. C. (Grade 6)
Title: "Rissa Bartholomew's Declaration of Independence"
Author: Lynda Comerford
Review: It's about a girl that is going to middle school and is having trouble with friends.
Reviewer: A. N. H. (Grade 5)
Title: "The City of Ember"
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Review: This book is about two kids, Lina and Doon. They live in a small town with many people in it. The lights that light the sky are running out of juice. These are the last lights the city of Ember has. Will this city be dark forever? You'll find out if you read it.
Reviewer: A. H. (Grade 9)
Title: "The Hunger Games"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: This is a very interesting twist to living life and will keep you absorbed for hours.
Reviewer: A. N. H. (Grade 5)
Title: "Harry Potter" (series)
Author: J. K. Rowling
Review: This book is about a boy that has magic powers and his parents are dead. He has an enemy that killed his parents. He goes to a school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Reviewer: S. G. (Grade 6)
Title: "Dork Diaries"
Author: Rachel Renee Russell
Review: "Dork Diaries" is about a girl who can't fit in with the crowd.
Reviewer: L. D. (Grade 9)
Title: "Beautiful Darkness"
Author: Kami Garcia/Margaret Stohl
Review: The beginning was a little slow and it wasn't that good that Lena wasn't there the entire time. It really didn't start getting good until the end.
Reviewer: H. M. (Grade 9)
Title: "Catching Fire"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: I liked this book because of Beetee.
Reviewer: A. P. (Grade 7)
Title: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
Author: J. K. Rowling
Review: I like this book very much. I have read this a couple of times already. My favorite part is at the end when Harry and Voldemort battle.
Reviewer: A. P. (Grade 7)
Title: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle"
Author: C. S. Lewis
Review: I have read this book a couple of times already. So I like it very much. My favorite part is at the end when everyone from the series end up together.
Reviewer: L. D. (Grade 9)
Title: "Halo"
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Review: If you enjoyed "Twilight" you'd like this book. It's about angels instead, but I thought that Beth (main character) was too obsessed with her boyfriend Xavier. It got to the point that it was annoying.
Reviewer: L. D. (Grade 9)
Title: "Reckless"
Author: Cornelia Funke
Review: I loved it! The first few characters were a little confusing, but once you get into it, it's really good. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Cornelia Funke's other books.
Reviewer: A. P. (Grade 7)
Title: "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace"
Author: Unknown
Review: I liked this book very much. I have seen the movie. But I think the book is too descriptive.
Reviewer: S. L. (Grade 7)
Title: "Inkspell"
Author: Cornelia Funke
Review: It is my favorite book ever! It is a fantasy about a book that has many secrets.
Reviewer: H. M. (Grade 9)
Title: "The Hunger Games"
Author: Suzanne Collins
Review: I liked this book because of the games and suspense.
Reviewer: B. T. (Grade 7)
Title: "Hush, Hush"
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Review: I loved "Hush, Hush" because it was funny, suspenseful, and romantic. I loved Patch because he is funny, nice, and very chill. I really like this book and would recommend it for all teen girls.
Reviewer: M. T. (Grade 7)
Title: "Maximum Ride"
Author: James Patterson
Review: Great book. It's full of humor and action. Loved it!
Reviewer: M. M. (Grade 7)
Title: "Pretty Little Liars"
Author: Sara Shepard
Review: I love this book because it's mysterious and so funny.
Reviewer: A. P. (Grade 7)
Title: "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed"
Author: Unknown
Review: This book was very good. I have the game so I wanted to read the books. I like the end when the apprentice battles Darth Vader and the Emperor.
Reviewer: M. G. (Grade 6)
Title: "Twelfth Grade Kills" ****(SPOILER ALERT)****
Author: Heather Brewer
Review: Vlad finds his father in this book. I was surprised on how he was still alive. I particularly enjoyed how Heather Brewer described the scenes, and how parts turned out the way you didn't even think of. Like when Vlad was forced to kill his father, who turned out to want to kill Vlad. I enjoyed Brewer's method of writing.
Reviewer: V. Y. (Grade 9)
Title: "Fahrenheit 451"
Author: Ray Bradbury
Review: I didn't like this book. It was very confusing since it took place in the future. I would not recommend it.
Reviewer: S. N. H. (Grade 7)
Title: "Frogs & French Kisses"
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Review: I like this book a lot. It was about a girl named Rachel and her sister named Miri. Miri has powers. The book was creative and had a lot of detail. Parts of it were really funny. I enjoyed it very much!!
