Friday, July 03, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
It's Here! Summer Reading!
School's out (or almost) and it's time to move on to summer. The Teen Summer Reading Club is back up with a fresh look (www.teenrc.ca) and ready for you. Just like last year, you sign up for an account, read some books you like and post some reviews then sit back and see if you won a weekly prize (while you read more books you like).
There's a bit more information below, but you should check it out and see what's new.
And don't forget about posting some of your own writing on the site. I've seen poetry, stories and songs so far.
FAQ:
Do I need a library card to play?
Nope, but we always think it’s a good idea to have a library card. Even if you don’t have a card but live in St. Albert use St. Albert Public Library as your Home Library so you can be part of our prize draws.
Can I win a prize if I don’t have a library card?
See above. Just make sure I can find you to get your prize to you if you win.
What are the prizes?
Each week I’ll draw one name from the people who have submitted approved reviews that week. The weekly prizes will be a Library book bag with loot inside. It might be a water bottle, journal, Frisbee or a gift card! At the end of the game in August we will have a wind up party for everyone who attended. If you have at least 4 approved reviews, your name goes in the grand prize draw for a digital camera! Oooh Ahhh!
How do I sign up?
1. Go to www.teenrc.ca and click on Join Now.
2. Fill out the information (we need your phone number and email only for the game in case you win something or we need you to adjust a post) TeenRC is run by librarians who will never share or misuse your information. The site is fully moderated and no exchange of any personal info is allowed.
3. Wait for your activation email in your inbox, reply and you're off!
How do I write a review?
There are tips online at the site as well as at the Library. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, but content does (in other words you can’t just say I liked it, you have to tell us why you liked it. Or hated it.)
What if I’m scared of librarians?
Granted, we can be an odd bunch but it’s nothing a little chocolate can’t cure. Stop by the
Library Information Desk and ask us for a recommended book, then just try to shut us up! Really we’re just here to help and when we sit at that desk we’re just waiting for a good question from somebody like you.
What if I don’t like to read?
Hmmm, I’m pretty sure you do read everyday even if you don’t pick up a book. If you haven’t had any fun with those novel studies at school you may not have found the right book for you yet. Put us to the test or sign up for TeenRC and ask the other teens for a list of suggestions. You’d be surprised how many enthusiastic answers you get.
If this hasn’t answered your questions, please contact us at the Library or just dig around the TeenRC site.
There's a bit more information below, but you should check it out and see what's new.
And don't forget about posting some of your own writing on the site. I've seen poetry, stories and songs so far.
FAQ:
Do I need a library card to play?
Nope, but we always think it’s a good idea to have a library card. Even if you don’t have a card but live in St. Albert use St. Albert Public Library as your Home Library so you can be part of our prize draws.
Can I win a prize if I don’t have a library card?
See above. Just make sure I can find you to get your prize to you if you win.
What are the prizes?
Each week I’ll draw one name from the people who have submitted approved reviews that week. The weekly prizes will be a Library book bag with loot inside. It might be a water bottle, journal, Frisbee or a gift card! At the end of the game in August we will have a wind up party for everyone who attended. If you have at least 4 approved reviews, your name goes in the grand prize draw for a digital camera! Oooh Ahhh!
How do I sign up?
1. Go to www.teenrc.ca and click on Join Now.
2. Fill out the information (we need your phone number and email only for the game in case you win something or we need you to adjust a post) TeenRC is run by librarians who will never share or misuse your information. The site is fully moderated and no exchange of any personal info is allowed.
3. Wait for your activation email in your inbox, reply and you're off!
How do I write a review?
There are tips online at the site as well as at the Library. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, but content does (in other words you can’t just say I liked it, you have to tell us why you liked it. Or hated it.)
What if I’m scared of librarians?
Granted, we can be an odd bunch but it’s nothing a little chocolate can’t cure. Stop by the
Library Information Desk and ask us for a recommended book, then just try to shut us up! Really we’re just here to help and when we sit at that desk we’re just waiting for a good question from somebody like you.
What if I don’t like to read?
Hmmm, I’m pretty sure you do read everyday even if you don’t pick up a book. If you haven’t had any fun with those novel studies at school you may not have found the right book for you yet. Put us to the test or sign up for TeenRC and ask the other teens for a list of suggestions. You’d be surprised how many enthusiastic answers you get.
If this hasn’t answered your questions, please contact us at the Library or just dig around the TeenRC site.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer Reading Club
If we are planning for summer reading club, that means summer must be coming somehow! We will kick off summer reading on June 26 with the first prize draw on July 6. We will use the same plan as last year with weekly prize draws and the grand prize draw at the final party. Watch for an announcement about the big prize!
Kathleen
Kathleen
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
February: TAB Meeting and Teen Writing Workshop
Got the February blahs? Ready to just hibernate until spring? We have the cure! Get your creativity revved up and bring it to the Library.
February 19 - 7:00 -8:00 pm Teen Advisory Board Meeting
We need some creative minds to come up with a plan for the Rodeo parade. We also need a suggestion for our suggestion box for the corner. No plain Lucite box for us! Maybe we'll use our ninja craft skills and make something that night? We also have a little problem with the Fear Factor event we planned for March - no live animals, no mold and we have so many allergy issues to watch for that we will have to, sigh, cancel it. Now we need an alternate plan.
February 21 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm - Teen Writing Workshop with Author Don Trembath.
I know there are lots of great writers out there who would like to polish their skills in this workshop. We had local author Don Trembath here at the Library two years ago and the participants all wanted to come back the next month! If you like to write, please take the time to try this out. No horrible embarassment, no marks, no pressure. Writing is fun when you do it just for yourself.
FAQ:
Do I have to be library member? No, but you do have to register before the program.
How do I register? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 780-459-1682.
Can I bring a friend? Of course, just make sure they registered!
What if I don't know anybody! No worries, everybody else is just like you, there because they like to write.
If you still have questions, call Kathleen at 780-459-1751.
February 19 - 7:00 -8:00 pm Teen Advisory Board Meeting
We need some creative minds to come up with a plan for the Rodeo parade. We also need a suggestion for our suggestion box for the corner. No plain Lucite box for us! Maybe we'll use our ninja craft skills and make something that night? We also have a little problem with the Fear Factor event we planned for March - no live animals, no mold and we have so many allergy issues to watch for that we will have to, sigh, cancel it. Now we need an alternate plan.
February 21 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm - Teen Writing Workshop with Author Don Trembath.
I know there are lots of great writers out there who would like to polish their skills in this workshop. We had local author Don Trembath here at the Library two years ago and the participants all wanted to come back the next month! If you like to write, please take the time to try this out. No horrible embarassment, no marks, no pressure. Writing is fun when you do it just for yourself.
FAQ:
Do I have to be library member? No, but you do have to register before the program.
How do I register? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 780-459-1682.
Can I bring a friend? Of course, just make sure they registered!
What if I don't know anybody! No worries, everybody else is just like you, there because they like to write.
If you still have questions, call Kathleen at 780-459-1751.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
More and more new books!
This morning I arrived to find more than 50 new paperbacks on my desk, ready to be put on the shelves. Everything from fantasy to sports, romance to diaries from a demon. Check it out, I'm sure you'll find something enticing.
Kathleen
Kathleen
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New Books this Week
Here are a few of the new books that arrived this week:
Flora's Dare: How a girl of spirit gambles all to expand her vocabulary, confront a bouncing boy terror, and try to save califa from a shaky doom by Ysabeau S. Wilce This is the sequel to Flora Segunda and is fantasy with a very twisted sense of humour.
Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips A gritty story about a girl who takes to the streets and the people who try to save her.
Monster Academy: Monster Hunters book 2 by Dean Lorey This is the third book by this author about these characters. They are very funny fantasy stories with lots of action and monster death.
Bloodchild by Tim Bowler If you like creepy thrillers, you'll love this book. Will wakes up one day without any memory but with a strong sense that something terrible is happening in his town. Why did someone try to kill him, and why do people seem so hostile toward him?
The Dragon's Lair by Elizabeth Haydon The third story of the Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme follows Ven into the midst of two warring kingdoms. He is supposed to find out the cause of their dispute and report back to his King. Unfortunately, the cause is a very angry dragon!
By Royal Command by Charlie Higson This is the 5th book in the Young James Bond series and it pulls in characters from the last 4 books. I love this series!
Headlong by Kathe Koja Lily and Hazel both attend the exclusive Vaughn school for girls. Lily has always belonged to the lifestyle at Vaughn and taken it for granted. When Hazel, the scholarship student, arrives on campus the two become friends and Lily sees that her life may not be as completely perfect as she always thought.
A couple that I have read lately and want to recommend are Impossible by Nancy Werlin and Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Both are fantasy novels with strong female characters. Impossible is about a girl who finds out that her family has been cursed by an Elfin knight and the only way to break the curse is to complete three impossible tasks. Graceling is more traditional fantasy. When we first meet Katsa, she is a strong-arm bully for her uncle the King. She is Graced, meaning she has some kind of special talent, in her case she believes it is killing. She is not happy with the way her life is but doesn not know how to change it. As the story goes, she does take control of her life and it changes dramatically. Romance, adventure, intrigue!
Stop by and see what else is new.
Kathleen
Flora's Dare: How a girl of spirit gambles all to expand her vocabulary, confront a bouncing boy terror, and try to save califa from a shaky doom by Ysabeau S. Wilce This is the sequel to Flora Segunda and is fantasy with a very twisted sense of humour.
Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips A gritty story about a girl who takes to the streets and the people who try to save her.
Monster Academy: Monster Hunters book 2 by Dean Lorey This is the third book by this author about these characters. They are very funny fantasy stories with lots of action and monster death.
Bloodchild by Tim Bowler If you like creepy thrillers, you'll love this book. Will wakes up one day without any memory but with a strong sense that something terrible is happening in his town. Why did someone try to kill him, and why do people seem so hostile toward him?
The Dragon's Lair by Elizabeth Haydon The third story of the Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme follows Ven into the midst of two warring kingdoms. He is supposed to find out the cause of their dispute and report back to his King. Unfortunately, the cause is a very angry dragon!
By Royal Command by Charlie Higson This is the 5th book in the Young James Bond series and it pulls in characters from the last 4 books. I love this series!
Headlong by Kathe Koja Lily and Hazel both attend the exclusive Vaughn school for girls. Lily has always belonged to the lifestyle at Vaughn and taken it for granted. When Hazel, the scholarship student, arrives on campus the two become friends and Lily sees that her life may not be as completely perfect as she always thought.
A couple that I have read lately and want to recommend are Impossible by Nancy Werlin and Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Both are fantasy novels with strong female characters. Impossible is about a girl who finds out that her family has been cursed by an Elfin knight and the only way to break the curse is to complete three impossible tasks. Graceling is more traditional fantasy. When we first meet Katsa, she is a strong-arm bully for her uncle the King. She is Graced, meaning she has some kind of special talent, in her case she believes it is killing. She is not happy with the way her life is but doesn not know how to change it. As the story goes, she does take control of her life and it changes dramatically. Romance, adventure, intrigue!
Stop by and see what else is new.
Kathleen
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
In case you hadn't seen yet, the meeting will be Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 (yes that is tomorrow). Sorry for the late reminder.
Kathleen
Kathleen
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
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.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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
Here is the link to the survey through surveymonkey.com:Click Here to take survey
Thanks for your help!
Kathleen
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
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
Monday, September 08, 2008
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
Friday, August 22, 2008
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
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
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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
Friday, August 01, 2008
Breaking Dawn Party Pics
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
Thursday, July 24, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, July 18, 2008
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
Right now we have 47 St. Albert Teens registered in the TeenSRC. Amazing!
Enjoy the weekend,
Kathleen
Monday, July 14, 2008
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!
Remember, if you have 4 posted reviews, you get your name in the grand prize draw for a FlipVideo of your very own!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
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
If you are having any problems with the site, please let me know.
Kathleen
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