NOYS: Teen Poetry Contest

Thursday is April 1st, which means (aside from all the April Foolin' happening) it's the start of our annual teen poetry contest.The contest starts today and runs through the end of the month. More details on the website, but here are the basics:

1. All poems must be submitted using the online form.

2. Participants must fill out all of the required fields on the form.

3. There are two categories: middle school and high school. Participants must be between 7th-12th grade. One winner from each category will win a Borders gift card.

4. Only one poem per person will be considered for the contest.

5. Only one poem per person will be printed in the book.

Encourage the teens you know to participate!

NOYS: Stuff for the Teen Age

For 80 years, New York Public Library has been offering annually a list of teen-tested books called Books for the Teen Age. Last year it was renamed Stuff for the Teen Age and now includes movies, music and video games.

The new list was just released and it's filled with some great recommendations. The categories are:

• (Bad) Romance
• Deal With It
• For Real
• Freaks and Geeks
• Freaky Chaos
• Kick A$$
• Mystery
• New York
• ROTFL
• Zombies, Werewolves and Ghosts (Vampires are so 2008!)

When you have a free moment, check it out. We have almost all of the items on the list (just a few are on order or are video games that are rated M--and we don't buy those) and the categories are fun. You may find something to recommend to your patrons, or even to yourself!

NOYS: What's new in Youth Services

Lots to share!

• We are currently in the process of revamping the Youth Services wiki. As always, all FCPL staff are encouraged to utilize and contribute to the wiki; however, we now ask that you sign in before viewing the pages. If you don't currently have access to the wiki, just click on the button that says "Request Access" and we'll get you set up. That way our staff-sensitive information is available only to staff, but accessible from any Internet connection. 

• National Poetry Month is just around the corner. As a reminder, all Teen Poetry Contest entries must be submitted online. Beginning in April, there will be a link from the teen page for submissions.
   
• Are your shelves too full? Books looking torn and tattered? We can send you a weeding list of items we'd like you to pull. We will still weed your branch in person as its turn comes up on the rotation, but if you need space *now*, this is the way to go. Just email Jennifer Kish to get started. 

• Any suggestions for purchase or material needs can be sent directly to Kari Johnson (Children's) or Connie Urquhart (Teen). 

Other projects currently in the works: Dia de los Ninos, Dia de los Libros events; Family Place workshops; outreach at Baby City and school career days; summer reading program prep; and homework centers. If you have any questions about these projects or anything else, please contact any one of your Youth Services team.

NOYS: Teen Tech Week 2010

Teen Tech Week is back! During March 7-13th, teens can submit a review about nearly anything* and we'll put their name in a drawing for several Barnes & Noble gift cards. But that's not all! They can also friend us on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and we'll add their name again!

And why do we celebrate Teen Tech Week? Because we here at the library believe that Technology + Teens = Awesomeness.

*Nearly anything: books, movies, tv show, music, video games, magazines, comics/graphic novels, audiobooks, etc. Basically, anything you can get at the library.