Summer Reading express

You could win stuff.

This summer all you have to do is read (or listen to) a book, write a short review and you are eligible to win one one of 24 weekly prizes AND one of three grand prizes. “What are these wonderful prizes?” you ask. Well, let me tell you:

Each weekly prize consists of
1. A $10 gift certificate to either Village Books OR Merchbot
AND
2. A $5 gift certificate to either Rocket Donuts OR Mallard Ice Cream OR The Bagelry

Each grand prize will consist of
1. An “Express Yourself @ your library” Summer Reading T-shirt
AND
2. 2 Movie passes
AND
3. A Target gift card

So express yourself by reviewing books at your library this summer, and win fun and yummy prizes!

And don’t forget about fine forgiveness to help you get rid of all (or some of) those pesky late fines. Click on the Summer Reading link at the top of the page for more info.

- Jen

New again

Happy happy summertime.

I’ve finally updated all the pages (linked to above). For example, I’ve got anime dates through the end of the year and what anime we’ll be watching for the next three months on the Anime page. The other pages are also looking good. Check ‘em out.

Two things to note: Games night returns this month after taking May off and TeensRead is taking June and July off to start fresh in August. Book titles for August, September, October and November can be found on the Teens Read page.

Teen Summer Reading starts in just under 2 weeks. I’ll post info on progress and prizes, but for basic information including details on FINE FORGIVENESS, see the Summer Reading page.

Everything going on is summarized on the Events Page for your convenience.

Also, remember that you can always email me if you have any questions. I’m usually pretty nice.

- Jen

Hey hey, it’s May

Finally a new post! I’m back at work – just in time for four upcoming programs. Can you imagine?!?

Anime Night
Wednesday, May 13 (tomorrow!)
5:30 to 7:30 in the Dodson Room
Pizza, soda, prizes and the featured anime: KiddyGrade

Teen Advisory Council
Thursday, May 14
4:30 to 5:30 in the Library Board Room (upstairs from the adult dept.)
Come help me figure out what kind of prizes to get for Teen Summer Reading. You have the power, use it wisely.
Download a TAC application here

Super Smash Bros. BRAWL Tournament
Saturday, May 16
1:30 to 5:00 pm in the Library Lecture Room
Sign up begins at 12:45 – space is limited
Pizza from Little Caesars
Prizes from Reset Games

Teens Read
Monday, May 18
6 to 7 pm in the Dodson Room
Read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and then join us for an informal discussion.

All programs are for teens ages 12 to 18

See you there! – Jen

What’s to come?

While I haven’t been posting much on this main page, rest assured that the pages linked to above (for upcoming events and individual programs) are kept up-to-date. I’ve added upcoming programs through May and each page should be current on the next few months, too. Please let me know if you see errors or are confused by anything on this site.

Some News:

• I will be on maternity leave for the next two months, returning in time for all the May programs (and Summer Reading in June). All programs will go on as scheduled in March and April, led by my trusty stand-ins. They are great. Treat them well.
• TAC will not meet again until May. Please come to that meeting, because we will be determining prizes for summer reading and talking about the viability of continuing specific programs (most at-risk is TeensRead). I need your input!
• I’m sorry to announce that Shelve It!, the teen new books newsletter that I’ve been publishing quarterly for the past few years, is now on indefinate hiatus. This year I have taken on additional collection responsibilities and with upcoming leave and staff shortages, I just do not have the time needed to publish Shelve It! Please refer to the monthly new materials lists (http://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/QuickLinks/ReadersResources/newitems.aspx) for a complete listing of all the items added to the collection each month. We also hope to instigate RSS feeds some time this year so you can automatically be updated on new items in various parts of the collection. Another great reasource for book recommendations is NextReads, where each month you get an email with new and featured titles in a number of different subject areas (including Teen books and Tween titles). You can access NextReads on our Reader’s Resources page.
• We are still working on creating a “Hot Teen Non-Fiction” section in the Teen area of the library. We are currently waiting on labels for the items. I’m hoping that this collection will become a reality while I am on leave.

If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to contact me (see right side-bar). Happy Spring!

- Jen

February Events + Guitar Hero Tournament!

I’m just now posting the events info for February. See the link for Upcoming Events above.
Mark your calendars for our first ever

Guitar Hero Tournament

Saturday, February 14

Space is limited to 30 players — sign-up begins at 12:45
Each person will play at least 2 qualifying rounds
Songs will be determined prior to tournament play
Prizes courtesy of Reset Games
More info to come!

Anime & TAC this week!

I’ve been buried in the redesign of the library website and almost forgot to post this week’s program information. Thankfully I came to my senses long enough to remember to get the word out. BTW, we plan to launch the new library website within the week. The teen page will stay on WordPress for the next few months, though, because I want to be able to update it from afar.
Here’s the deal on this week’s programs:

Anime Night featuring Ouran High School Host Club
Join us for a rollicking good time watching this popular shojo anime.
Pizza and prizes too.
This Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:30pm in the Dodson Room.
Be there.

TAC meeting this Thursday
Come tell me how to make the library better for teens.
Click on the Teen Advisory Council link at the top of the page for more information and an application.

Happy wishes for the new year!

I just want to wish you all a wonderful New Years!

I look forward to lots of great programs in 2009 – check out the events calendar above for what’s happening in January.

Be safe. Be merry. See you soon!

-Jen

Snowy days and libraries

So I hear that it’s supposed to snow more today. The library is a pretty nice place when the streets and sidewalks are blanketed in snow. To be all cozy and warm inside, surrounded by thousands of books and magazines, is wonderful.

Thank you to everyone who came to game night on Monday. I hope you all enjoyed “Don’t Rest Your Head” (except for the four of you playing Brawl, which I hope you enjoyed, too.) I am looking forward to continuing the game in January.

And a super big thank you to everyone who has made this last year the most wonderful to date for me at BPL. I’ve had a tremendous time. I hope that you’ve had some good times, too.

I’ll post some statistics on here the last week of December/first week of January just to wow you. We have been busy, that’s for sure.

Have a fantastic holiday and break from school. Drop by for TeensRead on 12/29 if you’re so inclined. We’re reading 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and it is a killer read. Should make for a good, meaty discussion.

- Jen

Nothing can stop GAME NIGHT

We will be gaming at the library tonight. No mere snow or ice will stop the pizza, cookies, holiday sweets and Jen from celebrating the last game night of the year.

Be there or miss out on the exitement (and little oranges)!

Gaming at your library – let’s party!

Join us this Monday (12/15) for the final night of gaming in 2008.
6:00 to 7:30pm in the Lecture Room

We’ll have the wii set up, board games for your perusal, or you can learn to play a roll playing game called Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Come celebrate the end of the year!
Pizza from Rudy’s Pizzeria, soda, snacks, sweets and all sorts of goodies will be had!