Yup.  Just two more weeks before April, which means Poetry Month is once again upon us.  Although I can’t write poetry to save my life I do love to read it.  It was this fact that was foremost on my mind last year when I planned my first Teen Poetry Program.  I wanted something low-key, educational but fun and settled on a kind of coffee house type program where teens could sip on coffee/tea and listen while others read their poetry outloud, slammed if they knew how, read someone elses poetry, then participated in a series of activities that would teach them some poetry skills. 

You can read all the details about the program on an old blog post.  We’re planning a similar event this year, however, we’ve invited a local published poet to come in and “open” the event.  If there was one thing I learned during my experience last year it was that poetry programs are a perfect opportunity to collaborate and network with your local high schools.  It was because of the poetry program that I managed to meet one of the school librarians and also an English teacher who offered her class extra credit for attending the event and extra points if they recited a poem.  If it wasn’t for her class I probably wouldn’t have had so many attend the program.  For some reason I always felt kind of down about that fact, that the only way we managed to get teens to come to our program was to essentially bribe them.  But looking back I realize that it’s all about perspective.  Despite how we got them through the door, they did come, they did have fun and I do believe that they brought something back from the experience. For me that is the very definition of a successful program.  Many of them were very shy in the beginning or acted too cool to read poetry in front of an audience but it only took a few brave souls and one amazing young lady who really knew how to slam to encourage the rest to step up.  Of course, the flavored coffee and chocolates probably helped too.

 Below is the slide presentation I used during the program.  Please feel free to use it, change it, as you like.  I found most of my activities from the IPL Teenspace poetry wiki but unfortuntately it doesn’t seem to be working right now so I can only provide the cached link. I would love to hear some ideas from our readers on various poetry programs, there are so many different ways to share and encourage a love of words and writing with teens.

| View | Upload your own

The word has been out for awhile now that social neworking sites provide a creative and easy way to connect with people. Libraries, businesses, publishers, musicians, politicians, radio stations, you name it, the question is not so much “do you have a MySpace?” but “who does not have a MySpace?”.

One of the first things librarians often do when they create their MySpace (or Facebook) profile is search out well known YA authors and add them as friends. The purpose is mainly to help introduce book titles to visiting teens and to promote books and the joy of reading in general. Besides, who wouldn’t want Meg Cabot on their friend list. How cool is that?

Publishers have caught on and many have started automatically creating MySpace and Facebook profiles for their authors as soon as their books come out. However, after reading an article in the October issue of Publishers Weekly, it would appear that some publishers are becoming weary of this practice for two reasons. First of all, maintaining author profiles can be time consuming. Second, a publishers ultimate goal is to sell books and it’s difficult to find verifiable statistics proving that social networking sites actually do increase book sells. “We have tangible results that blog postings and website features sell books. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of social networks” says Fauzia Burke, President of FSB Associates. Granted, the people interviewed for this particular article mainly publish for an adult audience, so it would be interesting to see what HarperCollins would say about the effectiveness of author profiles when it comes to selling their books.

Nevertheless, this article intrigued me since a librarys’ motivation for creating social networking profiles are in a sense similar to that of a publisher. We’re trying to connect, to direct viewers to our physical and virtual locations. So if publishers are having a hard time getting tangible results from them then how are librarians doing? Is it possible to be able to prove that a MySpace is getting viewed and more importantly, directing viewers to our resources? I believe it is, at least with MySpace. (Keep in mind that I am only 75% techie so if someone out there knows a better way please share). I noticed recently that the “new skin” on MySpace has a new site tracker so you can see how often your profile is being viewed. If you want to know whether your profile is leading viewers to your website or blog then you can use free applications like Blog Tracker and Google Analytics which show you how viewers interact with your site and how they got there in the first place (keywords, referring sites, etc.).

There does, however, seem to be an interesting movement away from traditional social networking sites. Anna Zelenka of Wordpress wrote a post mentioning how some well known bloggers have always seen the whole MySpace/Facebook thing to be pretty much a waste of time and found blogging to be much more effective in reaching readers (the focus of the discussion on these posts has more to do with the OpenID movement, a concept I’m still trying to wrap my pretty blond head around). She also points to a fascinating post by Dana Boyd who uses the term ephemeral profile to describe a particular behavior that I’ve also witnessed with the teens at my library. They have this tricky habit of loosing or forgeting their passwords. However, rather than hunt down the password or having it emailed to them (which is what I and probably most adults do), teens are more apt to just start over again, beginning with an entirely new email address, creating an entirely new profile and possibly even moving to a completely different social networking site (since they do seem to be in abundance lately).

Boyd notes that this behavior is indicative of teens who are all about creating and recreating their identity. What better way to do this than with social networking sites. Create a new profile, a new you and meet completely new friends. She has an interesting quote, “I should note that I don’t think that the answer is “help teens remember passwords.” I actually think that this tendency to shed is advantageous in the way that we shed clothes every year because the “old me” is no longer relevant. Technology is a bit too obsessed with remembering; there’s a lot of value in forgetting.”

So, where does this leave teen librarians? It’s a hazard of the occupation I guess and all the more reason why we need to remain on our toes.

Usually it’s the teens in our library who help me keep up with all the new or “it” websites but this time, it was actually my husband who found this little gem.

Musicovery is an interactive radio website that allows you to choose music according to your mood. You can then narrow your search by music decade or music type. Your search results show up as a kind of funky selection web, then you can choose what song you want to listen to from there. It doesn’t stop there. Like LastFM, it also provides additional suggestions according to the artist being played. Phew. It’s almost exhausting trying to make you’re way through all the choices but really great for those days when you just don’t know what to listen to, not to mention a wonderful snazzy website to show teens as a way to introduce them to new music.

This Product Is Harmful To Your Health

Most of us are familiar with the mandate of women’s magazines to build us up on one page and tear us down on the next through the cult of the body, the aspirational advertorializing of products and celebrity, and the usage of stereotyped gender roles. While men’s magazines may be culpable of these offenses to some degree, they are fundamentally different. They are based on interest and experience and doing rather than shopping and adorning and being and are defined less by guilt, caution, and anxiety than by an enthusiasm for subjects like music, biking, design, naked women, business, or literature.

Of course, it is not accurate to say magazines like Rolling Stone, Wallpaper, Bicycling, Juxtapoz, Foreign Affairs, Discover, or Business Week are for men. Women read them too. But most media is intended for a white male audience unless it pronounces otherwise. Why do women need a such large airless body of literature devoted to consuming femininity? Why aren’t parallel glossies for men successful (Men’s Vogue, anyone?)

Unfortunately, this is duplicated for children’s and teen magazines and the makeup and dieting frenzy has been filtered down to children and teens, changing bodies and minds that need play and flexibility more than they need withholding and narrowness. In a public library, the available magazines for young people include CosmoGIRL, Teen Vogue, Lucky, Girls’ Life, Cheerleader, Boys’ Life, Spin, Hype Hair, and various gaming mags. This reading material is a small part of the heterosexist, classist, gendered climate in which kids are reared. Early on, children learn that the life of boys is devoted to fun while girls require regimens and advice, paeans to perfection. Aside from New Moon, I see no alternatives to the monoculture that prescribes The Way to Be for Girls and Boys.

Where are the alternatives? Where is the young adult Bitch, Believer, Adbusters, Arthur, Maximum Rock’n'Roll, Venus Zine, Utne Reader? Why aren’t these magazines in YA rooms? Sure, they have their faults, but they attempt to be sources of knowledge and criticism and enlightenment, whereas more mainstream magazines are devoted to checklists and manuals and rules. Media consolidation is locking us out of alternative choices. There is no more Punk Planet or Stay Free or Sassy or Black Girl. We are depending on conglomerates to teach us about ourselves and our culture.

If we decide to buy these titles for children and teens, we should at least provide them with alternatives. If we can’t buy indie magazines, we should encourage kids to make their own zines in the absence of counterculture print material and check out others on the Web

P.S. What do you think about Adbusters’ proposed CosmoGIRL ads?

Previously I posted about what I have planned for Teen Read Week at my library and I asked what you have planned.  Today I am back with the first few responses.

Kimberly, a Teen Services Librarian from the Kingston Frontenac Public Library writes:

We usually put up dispays and have our municipalities declare Teen Read Week.  This year, we are also holding a teen membership drive throughout the week.  We will be holding a drawing at the end of the week, and the winner will get an iPod Nano Video.  Teens will get a ballot if they:

1. register for a library card
2. bring a friend who registers for a library card
3. use their library card to borrow materials or a book an internet station
4. visit the library’s teen website

There is no limit to the number of ballots they can recieve (other than, of course, they may only register for one card themselves!).

Molly, Associate Director of the Guthrie Memorial Library wrote:

In conjunction with Teen Read Week, a nationwide initiative by libraries to encourage teens to read for fun and discover their local libraries, the Guthrie Memorial Library - Hanovers Public Library and the York County Library System will welcome Robin Brande, author of Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature (Knopy Books for Young Readers, September 2007) for events in York County October 12-13, 2007.

York County’s Teen Read Week celebration is now in its fourth year.  Controversy surrounding the teaching of evolution in schools in Dover, Pennsylvania (kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District) in 2005 makes Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature an especially timely and important choice for York County.

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature tells the story of a ninth grade girl who has been ostracized by her friends and her church for doing the right thing.  She faces many tough decision during her freshman year: social pressure, parental relationships, faith, romantic relationshiops, and sense of self.  When her science teacher begins a unit on evolution, things get out of hand as Mena struggles to find a way to reconcile her faith and religion with science.

The book has already been selected as one of the Young Adult Library Services Association’s Best Books for Young Adults for 2007.  Additionally, Borders has chosen Brande as an Original Voice for September.

Brande will be part of a local initiative called One Book, Every Freshman, where she will speak to ninth grade students at area high schools who have read her book.  Nearly 500 copies of the book will be given away in conjunction with participating schools in preparation for Brande’s visits on Friday, October 12 to Hanover High School and Delone Catholic High School.  This program, based on the One Book, One Community model, will bring reading as a collaborative activity to high school students, as well as introduce them to a fresh voice in young adult literature.

Also on Friday, October 12, Brande will visit Dover Area High School for programming with drama and language arts students.

On Saturday, October 13, Brande will do a talk and signing at the Borders store on Whiteford Road in York, Pa at nooon, and then will be headlining at the York County Library System Teen Read Week Kickoff event at 5:00 pm at the Guthrie Memorial Library - Hanovers Public Library in Hanover, PA.

So what are you planning?

If you would like to share what your library has planned please send an email to jberns89@gmail.com with TRW in the subject line.  Include in the email a short description of your events, and make sure to let me know if you do not want me to mention your name or what library you work for.  As always, feel free to post information about your events in the comments as well.

Last year we posted a series about Teen Read Week.  The point of the series was for you, the readers, to share both with us and with each other what your plans were for TRW.  This was a good opportunity for all of us to share our excitement with each other, all while creating a resource for librarians who might be having trouble coming up with plans of their own.  Seeing as how everyone enjoyed sharing last year, I thought we could do it again this year for the TRW theme of LOL @ your library, which takes place October 14-20.

So, I will get us started by sharing what my library will be doing for TRW.  After that I am relying on you guys to tell me what you’re doing.  Email me at jberns89@gmail.com with a paragraph or two about what you are doing (programs, school visits, contests, etc…) and include TRW in the subject line.  I will try and post a few ideas every couple of days as I get them.  If you want me to post your email or other info about you so people can contact you with questions about the programs let me know.  I will try to post a first name and library for each person if it is given to me, unless you ask me not to.

We have a few things planed for TRW this year at my library, the first being a school visit.  I will be going into our local high school with one other staff member to book talk a bunch of books and plug a few of our programs.  Last year we talked to most of the freshman class as they cycled through the English classroom and while I am not exactly sure what the school has planned for us this year I suspect it will be something similar. 

While we are book talking in the schools we will be handing out a coupon, which students can bring in to our library in order to receive a free book, while supplies last.  This treat is provided for us thanks to our friends of the library group who are going to buy us 50 or 60 paperback books.  I have picked out 6 or 7 titles and these will be both the books we book talk and the books we give away.

Finally we will be hosting a comedy program called Laugh Out Loud.  We have a professional comedian, Dwayne L. Gill, who will be coming in to give a stand up comedy workshop to our teens.  I will, of course, be trying to drum up as large of an audience for this event as I can while I am at the school.

So, that is what my library has planned, what about yours? Email me at jberns89@gmail.com with a short description of your plans and don’t forget to include TRW in the subject line.  Feel free to mention your plans in the comments as well, or better yet, once your event has happened use the comments to tell us about how it went.

I finally finished my masters last December.  Although my husband and I aren’t entirely ready to uproot our family, I have tentatively been looking for jobs and my mind has been very focused on what my future in the LIS profession will hold.  Generally speaking, I only have a little bit of experience with teen services, mainly just the odd program here and there.  I do blog about teen services on occasion but most of that is gleaned from things I read.  I often wonder, even if I do know how to talk the talk, can I really walk the walk?  When actually faced with my first day as a teen librarian, will I even know where to begin?  I have a pretty good feeling that I’m not alone in this, that there are plenty of other new librarians coming into the profession wanting to be the best teen librarians they can but feeling a little overwhelmed and bewildered by the continuous flow of ideas being presented to them. So, here’s the scenario.  You’ve just landed your first job as a teen librarian.  Where do you start?   What’s the first step? 

The following is a draft of some of my own ideas.  I have yet to cross this threshold so it will obviously be a rather incomplete list.  What I’m really hoping for is that this post will help generate a dialogue with readers and other fellow teen librarians who have already been through this.  Together, hopefully we can help ease some of those first week jitters for us newbies out there.


1) Evaluate the services already in place

I figure the most logical first step would be to get to know your new library.  What services/programs are already in place?  Are there outreach services, school visits throughout the year?  Study the collection. Note any gaps that may need to be filled.  Is there a collection development policy or statement for your area?  Ask for the past years monthly reports, circulation stats, attendance stats for past programs.  What about regular library goers?  Do a lot of teens come into the library after school?  Have there ever been any behavior issues in the past, if so, how were they dealt with?  What about organizations in your community, are there any that your library has collaborated with before?  If so, collect and store their contact information in case an opportunity arises for collaboration in the future. 

2) Make yourself known to your demographic

In addition to introducing yourself to teens who come into the library, make your presence known to teens who aren’t regular library goers.  Begin with an online presence.  If your library doesn’t have one already, start a teen blog (see Josh’s post on Creating a YA blog for some guidance).  Make sure all your contact information is available on the blog, including a picture of yourself so teens know who to look for when they do come into the library.   I would also sign-up for Meebo and imbed a widget on the blog.  I wouldn’t worry about starting a MySpace or other social network profile right away.  A blog and Meebo are a good start to connecting with teens online.  Find out how they respond to that first.  Then create some snazzy brochures for your teen department that include the blog address and perhaps pictures of your teen area in the library.  Take the brochures with you when you go for school visits or just drop them off at various locations in the community frequented by teens. 

3) Start slow when it comes to programs

I’ve always had a hard time slowing down my brain when it comes to programming.  I hear about so many great ideas nowadays, it’s really hard not to just want to try them all.  But you’ll likely overwhelm not just your staff but also your teens if you try to plan for too much in the beginning.  Stick to the tried and true stuff.   Obviously, budget is going to be an issue here so check into that, maybe start with something cheap and easy first so you can reserve your money for bigger events once you’ve been on the job for awhile.  I think an online gaming event would be a safe bet to start with.  It doesn’t require much more than space and internet accessible computers, perhaps some pizza and pop for refreshment.  Runescape has always been a popular online game with teens but there are plenty of others out there for them to try (Gaia and Naruto Arena have become really popular with the teens at our library).  Then try a second event that’s completely different, like a Fashion show or Pizza tasting contest.  This way you’ll get a diverse sample of teens that you can size up and get to know.  Provide suggestion boxes at each event and maybe a sign-up sheet to see if anyone is interested in starting a TAB.

4) Organize your professional tools

I know they’re expensive but I do think it’s important to have subscriptions to some of the essential publications like YALS and VOYA (in many cases employers will pay for them).  If you can’t afford the subscriptions then remember to bookmark their websites and check them often for new links, resources and articles of note.  Keeping up with blogs is also important but…yikes…that deserves a whole post of its own.  There are a lot of good ones out there and it’s hard to keep up with them all.  I try to keep my list pretty condensed.  In addition to the Alt Teen Services blog, I also read Ypulse, Pop Goes the Library, the YALSA blog  (they even have a catagory especially for new librarians). 

5)  Contribute to the profession

I think anyone would agree that it’s important to wait until you’ve found some sort of sense of balance between work and home before piling on any additional responsibilities beyond your initial job requirements.  But after things have slowed down a bit and you begin feeling a little more comfortable in your position, it may be a good idea to look into contributing to your profession in some way.  There are a number of different ways to do this.  First, figure out how much time you are willing to commit.  ALA and YALSA have all sorts of committees and task forces you can join.  However, if that seems a little daunting then you may want to start with something a little smaller, perhaps on the state level (check your state library website for opportunities).  Or even something more local like a seat on the literacy council in your community.  If you like to write and do research about librarianship then start a blog of your own.  Don’t have time for your own blog? Then join a collaborative blog or do something that requires even more of an irregular committment like contributing to the TeenLib wiki.  Despite how small scale they are, these experiences have the potential of helping you on and off the job.

6) Advocating for teens

One of the most important aspects of being teen librarian is advocating for teens and their right to access information.  This is also probably one of the most difficult aspects about being a teen librarian.  Stay on top of intellectual freedom issues by being proactive.  Know your library’s policies and the steps taken when a request for reconsideration occurs.  Most important, know your support base (who to call if you need help) before an issue comes up in your library or community, as opposed to just reacting to it when it does.  Look beyond your own institution.  How can you as a teen librarian help fight censorship in your community?  Anticipating these situations before they happen will help you deal with them better when they occur.  In addition, make sure your teens are aware of their rights.  Post links to the blog or print out information for them to look at while they’re hanging around in the library.  Build a display around the theme of censorship.  One of the best times to do this would be during Banned Books Week  but you can also do it during the month of a Banned authors birthday. 

7)  It’s not always golden

Working with teens is a tremendous challenge but that is also what makes it so rewarding.  I hate to say it but there will likely be a number of disheartening experiences that you will go through…a program will completely flop, teens will look at you like your from Mars, a parent may get angry at you for suggesting that their child read a Gossip Girls novel…in the midst of all this you will likely make all kinds of mistakes and blunders, all of which you will learn from if you allow yourself to.  The important thing is to never loose your enthusiasm for what you do and never ever stop trying

Originally I was going to write about literature based social networks available on the web, those being Anobii*, Library Thing*, Shelfari*, and Revish*. However, with the branch library full of teens discussing final parties to attend, amusement parks to visit, and the number of days left to stay up really really late before school starts, my original topic diverged to meet their impending school situation. In this post we discuss social network resources that can academically or entertainingly engage the online teen who face a new school year. The starred links will direct you to my personal accounts so that you may gain a better understanding of the limitations of each social network.

Research Tools
Clipmarks and Fleck
Older teens facing an unfamiliar year of writing research papers may find appeal in the web annotation services of Clipmarks and Fleck. While browsing the web for information, Clipmarks will allow the user to highlight text portions of a page store them on an account to tag, comment, or read later. There are times when researching requires annotations directly onto the web page rather than highlighting its text and Fleck can immensely help this type of researcher. Fleck also has functions to email and save the annotated pages. Both applications are free, but users can only access their accounts from the original computer containing the downloaded application.

Literature Themed Social Networks
A book report alternative
Teen readers may find perks in either of these programs aimed at gathering teen opinions on young adult books. First Look offers ARCs to registered teens in exchange for opinionated reviews. Creating an account with First Look will enable the user to participate on the message boards as well as grant them permission to receive arcs. If you have a library MySpace page, HarperTeen has a presence worth checking out. Just grab some code to continue promoting literature. More involved but equally rewarding, the Pulse It program created by Simon and Schuster, Inc is aimed at reading enthusiasts. Teens print a parental consent form, mail it to S&S, then create a member profile. They will be sent young adult titles to review including ARCs on a regular basis.

Shelfari* and Revish*
For teens who have book collections at home, Shelfari is the coolest place on the web to create an online bookshelf, join book discussion groups, make friends with similar genre interests, and gleefully grab some code to show off their bookshelf on MySpace or other blogs. Shelfari recently held a best review contest for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in which the winner received a signed copy. I’m not aware of Shelfari holding many contests, but Revish is hoping to have more user-driven review of the month competitions. If they follow through this idea, Revish would be the place to suggest for the teen looking to branch out of book reports.

Extracurricular Activities
Of the social networks listed below, I’ve only tried StyleMob. The others look like they carry heavy appeal towards the right audience:

StyleMob* Fashionistas can find inspiration and feedback for their daily outfits. Members can add friends to their personal StyleCouncil for clothing advice, ask ‘The Mob’ such questions as “Are leggings good or evil?”, have their looks rated, and participate in style forums and contests. Check out StyleMob for ideas on how to mix-n-match your wardrobe.

FanNation - Sports fans might be interested in checking out FanNation for the latest news in sports or sports fantasy.

introPlay - Teens interested in fitness can keep track of workouts and goals and compete against other members.

GuildCafe - This social site promotes interaction between gamers. With GuildCafe, members can keep a profile of their gaming history as well as create a hub for their guild and/or clan.

Kongregate - A social site full of user-submitted Flash games.

It’s been a while since I have had the time to post, but there have been a number of things that I have discovered about recently, which I would like to share just in case some of you don’t know about them.

The first of these is the Summer Blog Blast Tour, which was organized by Colleen Mondor, the brainchild of Chasing Ray.  This tour consists of a number of interviews with assorted children’s and YA authors, which will take place all week on a variety of lit blogs.  It kicked off on Sunday with an interview of Gene Yang, the author of American Born Chinese, on Finding Wonderland: The Writing YA Weblog.  It will go throughout this whole week and will feature many authors including a few of my favorites like Chris Crutcher, Kazu Kibuishi, and Brent Hartinger.  I would highly recommend going over to Chasing Ray for a peek at the schedule to see what authors you like and where you can find their interviews. Also, thanks to Colleen for putting all this together.

Next I need to mention a phenomenon that I am sure most of you are already aware of, but I just discovered it a few weeks ago so I feel the need to mention it.  The phenomenon that I speak of is called Brotherhood 2.0.  This is a video blog run by John Green, author of Looking for Alaska, and his brother Hank Green who is the creator of a great environmental technology blog called Ecogeek.  The purpose of this vlog is for the brothers Green to avoid textual communication for the entire year and to therefore communicate largely by use of these videos.  Every week day there is a new entry and they are all quite hilarious.  They also give an interesting view into the lives of these two brothers.  This is especially interesting for YA librarians since John is an award winning YA author.  You actually get to see some intimate moments detailing his experiences in the world of YA lit.  The site has developed an extremely large audience, so I am assuming that many of you are already regular viewers, but if you aren’t you should give it a look.  You won’t be disappointed.  I would however suggest starting with the early archives from the first week or two just so you have an idea of what the site is about.

I just thought I’d share this although it’s not directly related to YA services. Michael Wesch, a Kansas State anthropology student did a video essay on digital text and Web 2.0. I thought it was a good visual intro to Web 2.0 and could be used a neat staff development tool to help further introduce and encourage Web 2.0 philosophy.

The end of Teen Read Week is approaching quick, and I hope that it has been a successful week for all of the libraries out there that have been participating. For the last two weeks or so we have been posting a series of ideas for TRW. Librarians from across the country have emailed in the plans for their libraries and they have been posted here. Following is the last of those emails.

Michelle, a Librarian at a Junior High School in IL writes:

“This is what I am putting on the website for my students:
All Week
-Try the daily trivia question (posted at 6:00 a.m.) on Mrs. Glatt’s blog, Mission:READ @ http://cjhsimc.edublogs.org. Write a comment with your answer. All comments will be held until 6:00 p.m. and everyone with correct answer gets in a drawing to win Freshen’s smoothies, shakes, etc.
-Pick up a Halloween coloring sheet in the IMC and enter our “coloring contest.” All entries are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Two “most creative” artists in each grade will win Ben and Jerry’s ice cream pints, to be distributed at lunch on Friday.
-Melancholy Monday
Help us celebrate THE END of the Series of Unfortunate Events. Check out at least one book and get an eyeball tattoo, just like Count Olaf. Enter a drawing to win a copy of THE END, book 13 (and the last?) in the series; winner announced Tuesday Morning.
-Timer to Read Tuesday
If you are checking out a book in the IMC when our timer rings, you win a free Monical’s personal pizza.
-Weird Wednesday
Come to the IMC at 8:00 a.m. and listen to some strange stories read aloud by Mrs. Glatt.
-Thank Goodness it’s Thursday
Have an overdue book? Turn it in today and the fines will magically disappear.
-Fine Arts Friday
“Coloring” contest winners will be displayed and announced, and winners will get their Ben and Jerry’s.”

Thanks again to everyone who wrote in over the last few weeks with their plans. I want to encourage you to use the comment feature on the posts to let us all know how your programs, events, and promotions went. Good luck to everyone who still has something going on for the last two days of TRW. If you missed out on some of the earlier posts feel free to check out the original post and updates #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5.

For the last week or so I have been posting the TRW plans of various libraries across the country as they have been sent in to me. We are now three days into TRW and I hope that things are progressing smoothly for all of you out there in library land. If we posted something about your library please feel free to let us all know how everything that was posted about went via the post comments. The following are TRW plans for two more libraries.

Sally, a Youth Services Librarian in KY wrote in saying:

“Here is what we’re doing for Teen Read Week:
*Movie Marathon (we’re showing Batman Begins, The Chronicles of Narnia and Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Event…the kids in this area are all off school the day of the marathon)
*Survivor : Dragon Island (based on TV’s “Survivor”)
*Whose Line Is It? (based on TV’s comedy improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”)
*Dance Dance Revolution party
Also, throughout the first part of October teens can submit a form, which includes their information and their favorite book. The form will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win two prizes. We are giving away 4 $25 gift certificates to the local mall (one for each of our system’s branches) as well as 1 $100 gift certificate to Best Buy. The most popular books will then be put on a bookmark. This is our variation of YALSA’s Teens Top Ten.
For promotion we asked a local middle school’s STLP (Student Technology Leadership Program) to help us put together a DVD to show to local schools. My co-worker and I put together a bare bones script then the group did all the directing, filming and editing and it turned out fantastic! It is definitely something we’ll be doing again.
We’re all really looking forward to the events; it’s going to be a fun week!”

Laura, a librarian at the Camden Library in MI writes:

“Camden Twp. Library is hosting a Teen Game Night on Oct. 14th to kick-off Teen Read Week. (We can’t do activities during the week with teens due to school sports conflicts.) Our TGNs have become very popular. They are held after regular library hours. We have board games and card games, music to listen to, and snacks to share. Most of the kids just enjoy time to get together and chat. It’s a time of no TV, video games or computers - just teens getting together to hang out.
We began a Teen Advisory Council last spring and they are the ones who suggested TGNs. We have held 3 so far - each one brings more teens in and lasts longer. In fact, at summer reading close, we did a TGN Lock-In - it was great!!”

Thanks again to everyone who has sent in there plan for TRW. There are still one or two more emails that I will post this week. If anyone else out there still wants to get their libraries plans shared they can email me at jberns89@gmail.com and I will try to get it up before the end of the week. Otherwise good luck to you all as the week continues and make sure you also check out the original post and updates #1, #2, #3, and #4.

Teen Read Week is officially upon us. Today many of you will be hosting programs or beginning weeklong promotions. While you’re doing that you can check here to continue reading about what other libraries will be doing. Here are a few more TRW plans I have received over the last few days.

Margaret, a Youth Services Librarian in Algonquin, IL writes:

I just started my professional career when I started at the Eastgate Branch of the Algonquin Area Public Library District about six weeks ago! I did not have a lot of lead time to put together a program, and am just beginning to develop contacts in the community. Fortunately the YA librarian at the main library is very helpful, and has many wonderful programs that can be promoted during TRW. So I got creative. I am making several displays, one of them a magnetic poetry display for teens to play with, which will tie in to promoting Eclectic Café, our monthly poetry group. In addition, a handful of books used in the TRW display will be secretly marked (in the item record) so that when they are checked out, the circ staff is notified to give the patron a prize: Gift certificates to Best Buy! In addition, the Teen Advisory Board is running a contest for teen programming ideas, with prizes (Barnes and Noble Gift certificates) for suggestions that get selected. I am putting out a ton of literature directed at getting teens active at the library—promoting the TAB, poetry night, etc. And my book display will feature books that promote other activities, like volunteering, yoga, crafts, study skills, activism, cooking for teens, etc. The graphic artist at the library made up special posters and flyers as well. It’s not much, but maybe next year when I get to know the kids better, or with the help of the TAB, I will do some programming.

Karen, a librarian from St. Louis Co Library, MO wrote in saying:

At the Jamestown Bluffs branch of the St. Louis Co Library we are having Dragon Fever! All week the teens have a Drawing Contest. The teens pick up an application and design a dragon. It can be funny, serious, or unusual. Use imagination and have fun! They can win a dragon prize.

Mon Oct 16, at 7pm
The teens will come and paint and design a pewter dragon to take home. Registration is required with a limit of 20. Age 12-18
Sat Oct 21, 2pm
Teen Week presents “Dragonheart“. This movie will make you believe! The last dragon and a disillusioned dragon slaying knight must cooperate to stop an evil king. (103 min) Starring Dennis Quaid and Sean Connery. Refreshments and door prizes. Ages 12-18. Sign up at the desk.

It sounds like we have a whole lot of very different and creative ideas out there that will be employed this week. I am very impressed by the variety programs, promotions, and ideas I have received over the last week or two and I have more yet to post. Good luck to everybody with the beginning of the weeks events. If you haven’t already read them feel free to go back and look at the ideas in the original post and updates #1, #2, and #3, and stay tuned for more ideas.

Here are a few more of the wonderful TRW ideas, which some of you have sent in to me. If you haven’t read the original post that started this off check it out here.

Phyllis, a High School Media Specialist writes:

“I will be giving one point credit slips for each time a student accomplishes one of the five tasks. The student needs to sign his/her name to the slip and turn it in to me.

1. Every time a book is checked out he/she will receive 1 point.

2. All the adults in school will be on the lookout for anyone reading anything that is not a class assignment. When a student is found, the adult will give a one point credit slip.

3. When a student recommends a book and fills out the form to tell me why he/she wants a friend to read this book, a credit slip will be given.

4. There will be a “Who Am I” Contest. I will put up the poster of Q’orianka Kilcher. Every entry will receive a credit slip.

5. I have started two new sections in the library, a new books display and a book’s of interest to teen’s area. Any student that can discover the two new things will get 1 credit slip.

The following Monday I will have the slips tallied and will be handing out prizes. The more entries one makes the bigger the prize.

Last year the students enjoyed when I did “Find the Book”. I gave clues each day in the daily announcements and I had the clues printed in the library. I gave five clues for each book. Each day was a different book. When the student found the book I gave a bookmark.”

Judy Nelson, a librarian at the Pierce County Library in WA and current president of YALSA sent us a press clipping for her library that says:

“Suburban Times

Oct. 5, 2006

Teenagers get active @ PC Libraries

Teenagers Get Active @ Your Pierce County Library, is the theme for this year’s national teen read week at all Pierce County Libraries, Friday, Oct. 13-Saturday, Oct. 21.

“Reading can be active, and with many teens the more they are active, the better readers they are or can become,” said Judy Nelson, coordinator of youth services for Pierce County Library System. “We want to get teens in the libraries and reading. With fun, interactive activities we hope to bring them in.”

This year’s teen read week is all about getting active—a combination to get kids reading and healthy. Pierce County Library plans to get teens musical, literary, drawing and physical. All libraries will highlight teen reading throughout the week and eight libraries will offer free programs.

Get musical —Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Rd. S.W., Friday, Oct. 13, 7 p.m.—Bloodhag in concert. This regionally acclaimed heavy metal band’s music encourages reading.

Get literary — University Place Pierce County Library, 7315 27th St. W., Suite D, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.—Panel discussion with teen book club. Local author Randall Platt will meet with University Place teens to read and discuss their favorite poems. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite poems, songs, jokes and other writings to read and discuss.

Refreshments will be offered at all programs. Registration may be required for some programs; teens should contact library branches for details.”

Thanks again to all who have contributed to this series by sending in their TRW plans. There are more posts yet to come so stay tuned, and if you have an idea you want to share send a short blurb to me at jberns89@gmail.com. If you haven’t already read them check out the ideas in the original post and updates #1 and #2

A few days ago I posted about what my library is doing for TRW and I asked all of you to email me at jberns89@gmail.com with a short paragraph or two about what your libraries are doing for it. As of yesterday morning I only had one response to post but all of the sudden I got five or six more so I will post a few today, a few tomorrow, and I will keep going as long as people keep sending them in or until TRW is done. Here we go.

Randa, a Media Specialist from Sumter, SC wrote in saying:

“I am trying a new experiment for Teen Read Week. Are you familiar with Bookcrossing? It is an “open” world-wide library. Book lovers register books on bookcrossing.com and receive a unique bookcrossing number akin to an ISBN for that book. They then mention where the book is “released” and the person who finds the book is to do the same. This way the book’s travels can be traced throughout the world! The books can be tracked by title, city, or bookcrosser.

We will adopt the strategy to limit the “travels” to our school campus. It will be fun to track the travels from room to room, grade to grade, and the related Arts areas. If the books travel outside our school, who cares as long as they are read! This promises to be a fun way to promote and encourage teens to explore books.”

John, a Teen Librarian at the Franklin Township Public Library in NJ, writes:

“I have Libba Bray coming in for a reading/discussion about her series of books that currently includes A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY and REBEL ANGELS (she just turned the third book into her publisher) on Tuesday October 17.

Then on Thursday, October 19, we are going to make an 8-page zine out of one sheet of paper. I publish a sci fi zine called Electric Velocipede, and I saw a cool Flickr photo set showing how to take one sheet of paper and make an 8-page zine out of it. Since I have a background in zine-making (and there’s the cool book: Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine? : The Art of Making Zines and Mini Comics) I thought this was a good match. I was going to spend the week making a zine, but this will be better since we can get it done in one evening. Here’s the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabethgenco/sets/72157594276405114/. She also gives a link to the PDF of the files used in the examples. I’ve made some blank templates in Publisher (and printed them out) so the teens can use the blanks and make one unique zine with cut-outs from magazines and catalogs, or we can make one electronically and make multiple copies of the same thing.

This last one is actually found in a zine published by Megan Johnson, a Teen Services Librarian at the Rochester Hills Public Library in MI. I received a copy of the Zine at The Michigan Library Association Conference yesterday during a wonderful seminar she gave on getting teens into the library, which I hope to mention more at a later date. Any way, here is what her zine says about TRW:

“This year’s theme for Teen Read Week is Get Active @ Your Library. We have several events planned for this year’s events, including DDR night and Capture the Flag on Saturday, September 21, from 5:30-7pm. You will need to register for capture the flag if you want to play. If you have not already registered, ask at the reference desk to find out how. We are also having a martial arts demonstration on Wednesday, October 18 from 7-8:30 pm. There are lots of things you can do to celebrate Teen Read Week. You can join a club, or volunteer. You can play a game of kickball, or race your friends to the manga section in the library. Whatever you do, get active!”

As I said, I will post a few more tomorrow, the next day, and so on, as long as people continue to send me their plans and TRW hasn’t ended. If you haven’t already read them check out the ideas in the original post and update #1. Thanks to all who have written in so far. Stay tuned for more.