WLS Teens

Flawless: A Pretty Little Liars Novel

This was one of the better chick lit/ya books that I have read in a while.  Although I didn't read the first one (which I tend to do sometimes to prove to kids that, no - you'd don't always have to read books in order to enjoy them) I really enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting.  It is a nice mix of chick lit and mystery that will appeal to lots of readers, both reluctant and otherwise....a very entertaining read with likable characters.

You should know your audience when recommending it because of the smoking, drinking, and sexually active protagonists...(however, although those activities are present, it is pretty peripheral and by no means the focus) 

Happy reading,

Amy, BRI

Spread the Word to Chick Lit fans

Long time no post.  Sorry about that...

I thought that for those of you who aren't aware...you may be interested in spreading the word to patrons that you know who would love to hang out online with some of their favorite authors. 

Meg Cabot, John Green, Stephanie Meyer, and Ann Brashares are among the many great and loved authors that are a part of the readergirlz initiative coming in October 2007: 31 Flavorites.

Read all about it and spread the word:  http://www.readergirlz.com/issue.html

Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Amy, BRI

Poetry Returns to the Field Library with National Slam Finalist JIVE POETIC

You’re invited on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, for a second round of poetry slam through a workshop at your school, culminating at 3:30pm in The Field Library with the public performance of JIVE POETIC, current member of the Nuyorican Poets Café’s National Slam Team, and ZORK, host of poetry slams in Westchester Co.

Invite your friends, bring your poem/s, and speak out!

Sibyl Canaan, The Field Library Director & Martín Blasco,Young Adult Librarian

Non-Fiction Section Poll

We're trying to get a feel for how many libraries in the system have their own separate YA non-fiction section and how many integrate their YA NF with Adult non-fiction-- Also, does anyone have fiction only YA sections?

Please send me an email & let me know how you're YA section is set-up.  Thanks everyone!

Erin Schirota
Bronxville

esenig@westchesterlibraries.org

PS2 Tournaments

Since there has been such a gaming interest, I have been holding PS2 Tournaments. I have written a formula below of how I do it. If anyone is interested in holding one, and has any questions please contact me.

Playstation 2 Tournament Guidelines

 

1 ½ Months Before

 

• Decision of Game (this may be decided      by teens, as in the Fifa 2006      Tournament). Take a look at the game to see if the play structure can      be modified to make the rounds, time, quarters, etc short enough that it      will take approximately four hours of time.

 

• See if you can secure three copies of      the game. This could be through renting, purchasing used copies, or seeing      if you cannot borrow copies from teens. This needs to be done in advance,      because if you CANNOT secure the needed amount of copies, you cannot run      the tournament.

 

1 Month Before

 

· Press event out as usual with fliers and press releases. Check to make sure that the date is available on the calendar in the conference room, as well as writing it down on the schedule.

 

· Secure the gift card and the copies of the game. Be sure to purchase one copy of the game for the runner up.

 

· Call the system to see if you can secure the third PS2.

 

· Create the sign in sheet.

 

 

Two Weeks before

 

· The room setup is as follows: Two television sets with the capability of having a PS2 hooked up to it, two chairs around the Television or projector and chairs for viewing. Food table. Check machinery.

 

· Make sure that the appropriate coverage is available. Coverage should include: Three people to monitor all three of the stations, (this can include your teens that are comfortable doing this), a staff worker and/or librarian for general crowd control. Have teens get involved in setup and by all means ask them for help and input.

 

 

Day of Tournament

 

• Have and check sign in sheet, make      sure participants fill out pieces of paper and insert them in the bag.

 

• Shake bag and pull participants names      out of bags. Monitoring of terminals is essential, in case of tie,      participant who scores first will go on to the second round if tie cannot      be broken.

 

• If there are an uneven number of      participants, the participant that scores the most or lost by the least      amount of points will move on to the second round.

 

• Keep pulling names until there are two      left. This is the final match. Winner of this will win the tournament.

Jamie
Port Chester

Career Fair

I have a penchant for doing big things (and giving myself some gray hair in the process) and so I am holding a "Job Opportunities Fair" where I have contacted businesses via cold call telephone , as well as spoke to the Port Chester Chamber of Commerce to see if any of the business owners would like to take on a teen (or even better, teens) for the summer, or year round employment. I have contacted a bunch of people (Playland, thank god is coming) as well as some internship opportunities (Thanks to White Plains hospital) a lot of people have not responded as of yet (hence the gray hairs). My program is April 21st (I don't even have to ask if I should be worried yet), with a pannel discussion April 14th.  Any suggestions to see how I can lean on these buisnesses?  I think a store visit would be good, or would that be too (for lack of a better term) desperate? I am open to all suggestions. As always, thanks in advance.

Jamie
Port Chester

2 Excellent & Short YA books

I have read 2 excellent and unusual YA books: The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, and The Braid by Helen Frost.

The Pull of the Ocean is translated from the French and is loosely based on Tom Thumb, by Perrault. The hero of the tale is Yann Doutreleau, a ten-year-old boy no bigger than 2 feet tall. He has six strapping older brothers  and they all live in abject, depraved poverty. Yann, though mute, manages to get his brothers to take him to the ocean where he can begin a new, and hopefully better, life. It is told as if a reporter has interviewed all the family members as well as the people he meets on his journey. Very clever and well-written!

The Braid  tells the story of very poor people living in the Scotish highlands forced to flee when the landlords throw them out of their shacks. The cross the Ocean and arrive in Canada, sick, poor, and homeless. Two sisters tell their story in poems. One, who stayed behind with her grandmother, and the other who crossed to Canada.

The best news about each book is the length .... short!

Happy Reading,
Lilly, Pel

 

Facebook

If you are having trouble connecting with kids using MySpace...chances are they just aren't there.  The good news is...they might just be on Facebook instead.  I am sure I am not telling you anything that you don't already know - but I just thought I would share my success with starting a Facebook page for connecting with the local high school kids.  Although it doesn't have the cool author and bands connection that MySpace has - and it doesn't have all of those funky design possibilities -- it simply does what we all wish we could do - gets you in touch with lots and lots of local kids.  All of the sudden it is VERY easy to announce a teen event, solicit feedback about what they want, and become visible and approachable in their community.  If you found MySpace turned into a meet other librarians & authors hotspot (not that this isn't a very cool thing!) rather than a meet lots of kids in town thing, try Facebook...

Amy BRI

Graphic Novels...Offensive??!

Just in case you missed it, my Director emailed me this article about graphic novels in libraries - just a peek at what's going on around the country...

http://www.dailygazette.net/standard/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=SCH/2006/12/21&ID=Ar03000&Section=Life_and_Arts

Amy, BRI

Teens, Gaming, and Libraries

Last week we had a lively meeting on the topic of teens and gaming.  It included playing a variety of games - Karaoke Revolution, Guitar Hero II, Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, and Katamari Damacy - and talking about why teens like to play these games as well as what the educational benefits of gaming is for teens.  The handout  with a list of useful resources and ideas for gaming projects in the library is available.

On the topic of literacy skills supported by teen game play some of the things discussed include:

• Playing games like World of Warcraft includes reading about the game, the characters, and choices that need to be consider in order to succeed.  Reading and writing messages from/to other players about how to play the game successfully is also required in order to succeed.
• Playing Karaoke requires reading of lyrics, reading of on-screen directions.
• Playing a game like Madden football requires reading related to team selection, play-books, and such.
• Modding (modifying) games such as the SIMs requires that teens come up with the modification they want to make, consider what's already available, decide how they will make the modification, and read and/or write out their plans.  FanFiction is a form of modding that teens also participate in and there is FanFiction related to games.

There was also discussion about the whether or not librarians should promote or allow teen playing games online in which they might encounter people that they shouldn't be in touch with.  We talked about the need to give teens opportunities to participate in online activities in environments where they can learn to be smart and safe. Libraries have a great opportunity for with teens talking about how to play games and talking about how to be safe when playing games with those one has never met.

The discussion also focused on whether or not librarians should make pre-judgments about what games teens should be able to play in the library.  Before judging a game it's important that librarians try the games out for themselves. Librarians need to know what actually does and doesn't happen in the games teens play. It's also important to remember that game play in the library should, in most instances, focus on the appropriate behavior in the play and not the actual game. For example, if teens play games in the library and don't disturb other customers while doing so their behavior is just fine.

I mentioned that one of the libraries that I work with, the decision was made to only purchase games that are rated E for Everyone or T for teen. The librarians decided not to purchase M for Mature games and the teens understand that decision. The Entertainment Software Rating Board designates game ratings. They have information on their website that you can download or you can have brochures sent to your library.

We also talked about Second Life and Teen Second Life. These are not games, but they are virtual worlds in which teens and adults participate. There is a library in Second Life and a library is in the works for Teen Second Life. It's important for librarians to understand that along with playing games online and on computer teens are also participating in online worlds in which social interactions and learning take place.

Don't forget that there are things you can do in the library that helps teens expand their game play.  For example:

• Host a teens teach gaming to adults event.
• Sponsor modding/fanfiction workshops
• Have teens select games and equipment for the library
• Ask teens to setup gaming policies and guidelines
• Have the teens teach the librarians about gaming.

It's important to give teens a chance to talk to librarians about what they play and why they like to play specific games. Get a teen gaming group together and see what they come up with for game related programs and services at the library.

WLS purchased a Playstation II game console and a variety of games for the console. These will be available to member libraries for circulation.