New Books New Books New Books!

It seems it is either feast or famine when it comes to the new books. I just got a huge pile of shiny new hardcovers on my desk. Here is a selection of titles, but there are too many to list them all so come by and take a look.

Walkaway by Alden R. Carter
Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi
Iron Jaw and Hummingbird by Chris Roberson
Piggy by ireille Geus
The Blind Faith Hotel by Pamela Todd
Ghost Medicine by Andrew Smith
Burn by Suzanne Phillips
The Savage by David Almond
Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde (with a very creepy cover)
Bio-pirate by Michele Martin Bossley
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Kendra by Coe Booth
Holly's Heart series 1,2,and 3 by Beverly Lewis

and if you're looking for something to do over the break, check out Stray Sock Sewing by Daniel (yep that's his whole name). Strange name, but really fun ideas for things to do with those odd socks that got left behind when the aliens pulled their partners into another dimension.

Kathleen

Board Game Night and Christmas Gift Crafts

Just a reminder that Board Game Night is Thursday November 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. upstairs in the training room (the one with red walls and computers).


Christmas Gift Crafts
Saturday, December 6, 1-3 p.m.
Main Floor Program Room

Save your hard earned cash and make your gifts. We will be making a card, an ornament and a gift from the kitchen (think popcorn). At the end of two hours you should have three gifts to give! Just to make sure that we have enough supplies for everyone, please call and register at the Adult Reference desk at 780-459-1682. Bring a friend, just make sure you put their name down too. If you have questions, call Kathleen at 780-459-1751.

Edmonton Teen Writing Group

I just recieved this information and thought I would share it with the aspiring writers out there. Kathleen

EDMONTON TEEN WRITING GROUP

The Writers Guild of Alberta is proud to be launching a mentored writing group in Edmonton, specifically designed for teens age 15 to 19. The purpose of this group is to unite teens interested in pursing the craft of writing; to provide a fun, friendly, safe and structured environment for participants to receive constructive feedback on their writing, involve themselves in literary discussion, take part in writing-on-site projects, and engage with like-minded young writers. The group will meet on a monthly basis, with the first meeting to take place on Sunday, November 23, 2008.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Stanley A. Milner Library, Writers Centre

7 Sir Winston Churchill Square

This session will be facilitated by WGA Edmonton Youth Writing Mentor Alexis Kienlen, and WGA Program Coordinator Kelsey Everton.

We request that those of you who plan to attend this meeting contact Alexis Kienlen at alexiskienlen@hotmail.com to confirm your attendance. If you are unable to attend this month’s meeting but would like to join at a later time, please write Alexis a note and she will keep you on the mailing list for future meetings and group information.

For more information, you can also contact Kelsey at (780) 422-8174.

It's All About You

I need your help because I have HOMEWORK! I forgot how grim that can be. So, here's the thing, I need your help to finish my assignment. I've made a short (10 question) survey that should take you all of 5 minutes to complete. You do have to be in Grades 7-12 to answer the survey. It's mostly multiple choice with two short (really!) answer questions. The last one is for you to recommend a book for me to read, and since the answers are anonymous, I won't come back and tell you if I didn't like it.

Here is the link to the survey through surveymonkey.com:Click Here to take survey

Thanks for your help!
Kathleen

Halloween Happenings

It's become a tradition to decorate the Teen Corner for Halloween. I bring the non-healthy snacks, you bring your creativity and we make something spooktacular.

Thursday, October 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Meet in the Teen Corner

After decorating we will have a short Teen Advisory Board meeting. The people who attended last month had so many great ideas, we couldn't decide what event to plan next! As always, everyone is welcome who is in Grade 7 and up.

Questions? Call or email me!

Kathleen

September Teen Advisory Board Meeting

There went summer and here we are back to the regular routine. That means it's time for the Teen Advisory Board to meet and plan events for the next few months. We're always looking for new members! You don't have to promise to be at every meeting and event, just come when it fits your schedule. Our first meeting will be Thursday September 18 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, but after that we will pick a time that will fit the majority of members.

If you don't know what the TAB does, here it is in a nutshell. We talk, we eat, we plan. You tell me what kind of events you want to see at the library and help plan them, show me the glaring holes in our book collection (or movie or music) and give me suggestions on how to fill them. Since I'm not a teen, I need advisers, right!

If you have any questions you can call me at 780-459-1751 or email me at ktroppmann@sapl.ab.ca

See you there!
Kathleen

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Kelsey B. who won the grand prize Flip Video camera at last night's TeenSRC wind up party! There were only 16 names in the draw so the odds were pretty impressive.

We had lots of snacks (and way too much candy), played some Scattergories and talked books. Everyone who was at the party went home with a prize as well, just for showing up!

Here's some summer reading statistics to impress your parents:
Number of St. Albert teens signed up on TeenSRC: 53
Number of Reviews posted: 115!
Number of people in the final draw: 16

It has been a great year for the Summer Reading Club and I'm sorry to see it end. The website will be rebranded and put back up in September so if you haven't had enough yet, you can continue to post on the TeenRC site all year. Sorry no prizes :(

If you are looking for something new to do this September, why not join the Teen Advisory Board? I'm always looking for new ideas, opinions and suggestions for teen services here in the library. Our next meeting will be Thursday September 18 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Times and dates after that will be determined by YOU. If you have any questions, call me at 780-459-1751.

Kathleen

TeenSRC Wrap Up Party!

It's hard to accept that summer is almost gone, but it's time for the final party of the TeenSRC. If you have participated in the summer reading club, you are invited to the wrap up party.

When: Thursday August 21, 7:00- 8:30 PM

Where: Main floor program room, St. Albert Public Library

Who: Anyone who has participated in the TeenSRC.

Why: To celebrate all those great books you read and give away that awesome Flip Video camera to a lucky teen who has at least 4 approved reviews.

What else? We'll have some food, talk about books, give away some loot and maybe play some games. 

Sound good? If you want to come, please RSVP to the library at 780-459-1682 so that we make sure we have enough food for everyone. 

Hope to see you there!

Kathleen

Breaking Dawn Party Pics

What a great party! We had fun speculating on what will happen in Breaking Dawn, made some fabulous vampire glitter gel and enjoyed some challenging trivia questions. Actually, the trivia questions weren't quite as challenging as I had thought. Our devoted fans whipped through the questions in no time and only got stumped twice in 40 questions! We had some real Twiheads who have read the book in excess of 10 times as well as some that are just finishing up the series. It was actually difficult to get people to play on Team Jacob for the trivia challenge, poor guy seems to get no love from anyone! At the end of the night we gave away a special edition copy of Eclipse, and the lucky winner was very happy since she didn't own any of the books and had been borrowing from a friend. Congratulations! Here are a few pictures of the event.

Kathleen

Breaking Dawn Party at the Library July 31

Only 8 more days until you can get your Bella/Edward/Jacob fix!

That means only 7 more days until our Breaking Dawn Engagement Tea party. We'll be making some glitter lotion so we can all glitter like a vampire and playing some serious trivia. In honour of the engagement, costumes are encouraged. Bring a friend, you don't need a library card to come to this event!

Please register at 780-459-1682 so we make sure we have enough stuff for everyone.

Three Weekly Winners Already!

Wow, that went fast. We already have 3 of 7 weekly prize winners! Congratulations to Tiffany, Tessa and Emily. Don't worry if you haven't joined the club yet, we still have 4 weeks of prizes and that big one at the end. If you haven't checked out the video to see the prize yet, make sure you take a look.

Right now we have 47 St. Albert Teens registered in the TeenSRC. Amazing!

Enjoy the weekend,
Kathleen

TeenSRC Video!

Thanks to "the guys" who put this video toghether for me! They used my FlipVideo camera and built it at home. Nice work! Check it out!
Remember, if you have 4 posted reviews, you get your name in the grand prize draw for a FlipVideo of your very own!

First Prize Draw is July 4th

I'll be making a draw for the first weekly prize tomorrow afternoon from all the users who have posted reviews. If you've got your account but haven't had a review posted yet, get to work! It takes the moderators a little time to get all the reviews approved and up on the site (we have to do it in between all that regular work!)

If you are having any problems with the site, please let me know.

Kathleen

Summer Reading Club is a Go!

If you haven't checked it out yet, log into TeenSRC.ca and see what's happening. The first prize draw will be next Friday afternoon, so get your reviews posted! Not sure what you have to do for a review? Check out the FAQ at TeenSRC for some helpful hints. Don't stress, you don't get marked, and spelling doesn't count! We just want your real opinion about what you've been reading, good or bad. Rave, rant, use an excessive number of excalmation marks!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're still not sure you want to join the club, just head over and check it out without signing up. If your parent's are concerned about the online part of the online TeenSRC, rest assured that all books, posts, and forums are moderated by friendly neighbourhood librarians from across Canada.

TeenSRC Update and Summer Programs

Only two weeks to go before school is done and you can read what you like! I've picked up the grand prize but I'm keeping it a secret for a little while yet. Our weekly prizes will be a library book bag with some goodies, and a book or dvd of your choice from my box. If you have other ideas, let me know.

When we did the Toilet Paper Prom dresses, I decided that we should do an altered jeans program this summer since the second Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie comes out in August. So hang on to those shabby jeans! We will be having our program on July 17 so we can wear them to the movie in August. I'll bring the paints, glitter, embroidery thread and beads, you bring the pants.

We will also be having a book launch party for Breaking Dawn. I thought earlier might be better than later since I hate it when somebody spoils a book I've been waiting for. We'll get together on July 31, but I'll let you know the details after TeenSRC is underway.

Teen Summer Reading Club Coming Soon!

It may not seem like it but summer is coming and with it time to Read What You Like (remember that's our motto around here). If you played last year you know all about the online TeenSRC, but if you don't here is the short form. You (and several thousand others from 13-17) sign up for an online account, read some books you like, post some reviews of those books, and maybe even win some prizes. This year you can also participate in forums and author chats. That's the gist of it. I'll post more details when the time comes. Oh, the theme this year is "I Liked the Book Better" and considering the number of books to films coming out over the summer we should have lots to talk about. Starts June 26!

Kathleen

Pics of Prom Dresses

Sadly I had to take apart the toilet paper prom dresses this week and give the manequins back. I noticed that I hadn't even posted pictures yet! I don't know where April went.
So here are some pics of the final dresses. Everyone who has seen them has said that they are amazing and they hardly believe that they are made from toilet paper.

Toilet Paper Prom Dresses!

and Tuxedos!

I know how hard it can be to find the perfect dress, but I still don't recommend wearing these in the rain.

Yes indeed, we will be making couture prom dresses with that most versatile material, tp. Working in groups you will create a design and then craft it from toilet paper on a dress form. I've seen some beautiful wedding dresses created this way, so I thought that prom dresses couldn't be that hard. Could they?

The final creations will be on display at the library after our program.

If you think this could be your kind of prom dress, call 459-1682 to register.

Kathleen

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

We will be having a Teen Advisory Board meeting on Thursday March 6 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. It's time to plan some new programs and talk about the summer reading game. This poster isreally small so here are the details.

When: Thursday March 6, 5:00 -6:00 PM
Where: Main Floor Program Room
Who: YOU and your friends who want to make a difference in the library

Questions? Call Kathleen at 459-1751

See you Thursday.

Movie Night! February 22

We will be having a movie night on Friday February 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At our book discussion night we decided on "The Simpson's Movie". I dropped by the website and made this lovely avatar. I've always wanted purple hair. As usual, I'll bring the popcorn, you bring the friends.

If you have any questions, send me a note at kathleen@sapl.ab.ca or 459-1751.

New Year New Books

Well somehow I missed putting this program on the blog and it's tonight! So...if you don't already have big plans, we are getting together from 5-6 p.m. tonight to talk about our favourites from 2007 and what we are looking forward to reading this year. I plan on giving away copies of a few of my favourite books, and of course I'll bring the snacks.

My apologies for the delay in posting. Hopefully you saw it in the newspaper or in the library before this.

Kathleen