A blog to keep up on what's happening for teens at Brooks Memorial Library including: • new books • events • resources available • fun website suggestions • ... and more.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Cookie Thursday Tomorrow!

We will be having our first "Cookie Thursday" tomorrow, December 1 in the teen room from 3:00-5:00 PM. If it goes over well, we will try and have them twice a month. It will be a good chance to see some new faces and for TAB members to connect with each other at times other than TAB meetings.
I've also put some examples of teen library logos in the room for you to look at and get some ideas. Most of them are very simple, and even if you think you aren't artistic, well.... you might surprise yourself!

--Sara

Monday, November 28, 2005

Schools Use Blogs for "Night" Project

This is an interesting use of a student blog. Please see Memoir sparks students' online reflections

Jerry Carbone
Library director

Friday, November 25, 2005

Teen Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Read the Teen Advisory Board November 15th meeting minutes to find out about the latest in TAB news!

Present: Maya, Kira, John, Sara, Julianne

1. Cookie Thursday:
Sara explained the idea of having cookies available on Thursdays for teen patrons perhaps every other week with a TAB member to help supervise. Kira volunteered to help get this program started.
Starting date: Thursday, December 1.

2. Logo Contest:
Deadline for submissions is December 22, 2005. Julianne explained that we had not received any submissions yet and that the TAB should “talk it up” and distribute contest forms to friends. TAB members took extra contest forms to distribute.

3. Teen Blog:
Sara brought a laptop in order to display the Teen Brooks blog and encouraged TAB members to post comments. If TAB members are interested in posting on the blog, they should contact sara at sara@brooks.lib.vt.us. Postings could include book reviews or recommendations, website suggestions, local news and events for teens, etc.

4. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants—Pizza and Movie Night
Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30
Julianne encouraged all TAB members to attend and bring friends and family. TAB members will receive a flyer via e-mail that they can post in the community.

5. Knitting Group
Last year, the TAB expressed interest in starting a knitting circle. Maya agreed that the TAB could host an intergenerational knitting circle in the Teen Space on a monthly basis; she believed that a weeknight might yield the best turnout.

The knitting circle will begin after the holidays in January and will be promoted as an opportunity for knitters to bring their projects, consult library resources, and receive guidance from more experienced knitters in attendance.

Julianne will begin to look for more experienced knitters among staff and other library patrons who can attend. She will also look into obtaining inexpensive supplies to have on hand for any new knitters who come without a project.

6. Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition Mini-Grants
The BAPC has put out a request for mini-grant applications of $500-$2500. If any TAB member is interested in hosting another book discussion group similar to the God of Beer discussions or has another idea about a film or speaker, please let Julianne know.

7. Community Service Project Ideas
Sara explained an opportunity for the TAB to become involved in donating books to libraries in need. The TAB liked this idea and thought it could serve as an ongoing project this year. Sara will assist the TAB in organizing this effort beginning in December.

8. Mangafest—Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2006, 12-6pm in the Meeting Room.
The TAB will be hosting this drop-in event for teens during Winter Carnival Week in February.
Activities:
- Volume one of a number of popular manga series will be available for visitors to read and review; the library will purchase the full series of the most popular title.
- An anime film will be shown.
- Local teens will exhibit techniques for manga illustrations.
- A manga illustration competition will be held.
- “Translation Challenge”: participants will have the opportunity to review copies of manga in their original Japanese and attempt to translate segments to English based on the illustrations.
- Japanese trivia contest: John will work on a series of questions related to Japanese culture.
Other ideas: Japanese food? Sushi rolling?

Kira and John reviewed and recommended some titles for the library to purchase in preparation for this event; Julianne and Kira will attend the next BUHS Anime Club meeting after Thanksgiving to get its members involved in this event.

Kira and John are also interested in putting together a library display relating to Japan. Sara can help coordinate this on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons in December, and we can organize it together during our next TAB meeting:

NEXT TAB MEETING: Tuesday, December 6th, 5:30 in the Teen Space.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

All of a sudden....


we found ourselves in the dark. Yes, last week’s TAB meeting did end with a power outage. Happily we were almost finished with our meeting. We have a few events coming up that I could use some help with. I’m at the library from 3:00-6:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you want to stop by and talk to me about manga, teen book displays, the poetry slam, or anything else, come find me in the library office behind the circulation desk. Or e-mail me at: sara@brooks.lib.vt.us.
--Sara

Saturday, November 12, 2005

Just unpacked!

Link


Two new books of interest to manga fans have just arrived at the library. If you like drawing manga you'll be interested in a book called The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel. The other book that will interest manga fans is a Japanese language textbook that uses manga to teach you to speak and read Japanese! The title is Japanese in Mangaland. You can put reserves on these books if they aren't available yet. Also, stay tuned for some news about an upcoming manga event! (If you don't even know what the heck manga are, click here.)

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Author blogs


Did you know that some YA authors have their own blogs? If you’ve read Laurie Anderson’s Speak (also a television movie) then you’ll want to take a look at her blog and read all about her visits to different high schools. If you’re a Meg Cabot fan check out her very pink blog. Graphic novelist Neil Gaiman also has a blog. (That's him in the photo to the left.) In fact, his blog is even translated into French, Portuguese and Spanish! And if you have read Sarah Dessen’s books (Someone like you or This Lullaby) you might want to take a peek at her blog to find out about her everyday life.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Teen Review! The Valley of Secrets

The Valley of Secrets by Charmian Hussey is a mystery/adventure novel that chronicles the inheritance of Lansbury Hall by 12-year-old Stephen Lansbury. After his Great Uncle Theodore passes away, Stephen, an orphan, is swept off to his new mansion in a small Cornish town. When he arrives, not all is as he expected. It turns out that everyone there has been suspicious of the Hall and Theodore, because he seldom ventured outside its eerie grounds. Keeping to himself, Stephen explores the estate, unknowing of the greater mystery that surrounds the mansion and his uncle.

I found that this book was not a great one. There was hardly any action, and the author couldn't make up her mind about Stephan's emotions: he was constantly switching from depressed, to nervous, to happy, all on the same page. Also, its theme was repetitive, giving the feeling of tediousness. One of its main focuses was botany, Theodore's hobby, and this played a key role in solving the mystery around him. This, I am sorry to say, greatly decreased the story's appeal to me.

I will say, though, that the author's choice of words and vocabulary was particularly well done, and melded the story together into something that at least flowed nicely, despite the awkward storyline. Overall, I think that only a select few people would enjoy this book.

This mystery novel is geared for readers age nine through thirteen who are interested in mystery and botany.

The following book review was submitted by Hayden Bunker, a Brattleboro Area Middle School student in grade 7. Hayden is a member of a newly organized club that was inspired by the Elementary School "BEEP" book review program of which many students were previous members. It is open to any student who is interested in literature and would like to share their reading experiences with others.

Friday, November 04, 2005

College


Are you applying to college this year?
Brooks can help! Use the Dewey Decimal Number 378 as a starting point for finding books about “anything college.” You’ll find those upstairs on the mezzanine. You can find reference materials using this same number downstairs in the reference area. And don’t forget to ask Jeanne or anyone behind the reference desk for help and more ideas.
Also, Getting In is a novel about the admissions process and a road trip around New England visiting colleges. If you want a real look at the admissions process check out The Gatekeepers: inside the admissions process of a premier college to find out how the most elite colleges make their decisions.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Mark Your Calendars!

Be sure to mark your calendars with these important dates happening at Brooks Memorial Library during the late fall and winter!

Teen Brooks Logo Contest!
Sponsored by Zephyr Designs. The Teen Advisory Board of Brooks Memorial Library has kicked off its logo contest. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize and their artwork will be featured on all materials associated with young adult programming at the library.
Entry forms may be picked up at the school library, Brooks Memorial Library, and the Boys and Girls Club or by downloading a form at the Brooks Memorial Library website, www.brooks.lib.vt.us. The deadline for entries is December 22nd, 5pm.

Teen Advisory Board November Meeting
The November meeting of the Teen Advisory Board will take place on Tuesday, November 15th from 5:30-6:30pm. TAB meetings are open to current and prospective members, ages 12-18, and community service hours are available. Refreshments are served.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Movie and Pizza Night!
For all Sisterhood fans, young and old. December 14th, 6:30pm. Pizza and refreshments served.

Save the Date! Open Mic and Poetry Slam in February!
The Teen Advisory Board will be hosting an Open Mic and Poetry Slam on the main floor of the library on Friday, Feb. 3rd, 7-9pm. The library will temporarily become a cafe on this evening and young adults will be invited to perform music and poetry to an audience of peers.

Brattleboro Student Card Reminder
Non-residents who attend a Brattleboro school are eligible for a free Brattleboro Student Card. Registration forms can be obtained at Brooks Memorial Library and the BUHS/BAMS library. Sign up today!

Please let us know if you have any suggestions or questions!