NOYS: Tranquility FTW! (For The Win)

As you heard at the ALM, Tranquility led the way in boosting SRP participation this year with an 89% increase, from 44 participants in 2008 to 83 in 2009.
It was close this year - Ivy had an increase of 80%. Let’s hear it for the smaller branches!

Actually the total number of SRP participants dropped 16% from 12,415 in 2008 to 10,377 in 2009. These numbers are probably not accurate though since we only collected statistics online through Summer Reader, and if patrons did not return their registration slips, they were not counted.

Statistics are important, and not just because we'll have to do some guessing when calculating prize numbers next year. From the input we received from branch staff (and everyone involved) we know the SRP had more participants than our statistics show, but it will be more difficult to plan accurately for next year. Due to this issue and through popular demand, we will return to using the more accurate paper registration for next year and we will do our best to calculate how many logs/prizes/etc. we will truly need.

Thank you for your contributions and involvement in this popular program, and Congratulations again to Tranquility!

Have fun at your kick-off party in 2010!

NOYS: Calling Teen filmmakers!

It's time for the FCPL Get Reel Student Film Festival!
Teen and Young Adult library patrons from across the county are encouraged to participate, and with your help, we can successfully promote the event to your patrons.

The Get Reel Student Film Festival is a filmmaking competition for Fresno County residents, ages 13-22, made possible by generous support from Educational Employees Credit Union. Films are due by October 16, 2009.
Prizes for winning entries are Visa gift cards ranging from $100 to $500. Local experts in the film and technology field will do the judging. There will be a public screening of all accepted films and an award ceremony will be held at the Tower Theatre on Saturday, December 5.
It will be free to enter the competition, and free to attend the screening.

You can learn more at: the Get Reel website, where you can learn what you need to be able to answer patrons’ questions about this event.

Please -
Hang the posters and distribute flyers that you will receive in delivery.
Encourage patrons to begin working on films, to complete the application packet and submit a film before October 16
Forward submission packets to FHQ YS Attn: Faythe Arredondo as you receive them
Support your teen patrons and their families by attending the screening and the award ceremony on Saturday, December 5, 2009 (time TBD) at the Tower Theatre.

If you have any questions about this event, please check the event Web page, or feel free to contact Gina Becker.
Thank you!

NOYS: Teen Poetry Contest

April is National Poetry Month! Youth Services is excited to bring back our annual Teen Poetry Contest. We’ve made a few changes this year, so please note the guidelines below.

Teen Poetry Contest

• The contest runs from April 1-30.


• All poems must be submitted electronically using the form on our teen website, Read.Watch.Listen. Visit http://www.fresnoteens.org/ to see rules and to submit poetry.


• There are two categories: middle school and high school. Participants must be between 7th-12th grade. One winner from each category will receive Barnes & Noble gift cards.


• Poems will be published on our website as we receive them. They will be published in a book, available for free at all library branches, after the contest is over and winners have been chosen.


• Each poet’s name will appear on our website as a link. The link will take you to that poet’s poems.


• Students can submit as many poems as they like but only one will count for the contest (chosen at the discretion of the judges unless otherwise designated by poet).


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


• Special judges are FCPL staff James Tyner & Will Cooper; we are also delighted to have award-winning author Margarita Engle as a judge.

Please encourage teens in your branches to participate.