TeenDirect

This should be an exciting year for young adult librarians in Suffolk County. Get your calendar out and schedule time for some of the excellent programs available to Suffolk Teen Librarians this year.

Make this the year you read something new, apply a new technology, and add try something different in teen services.

Happy New Year!

Barbara

Coming in March

I first heard Urban Word perform at the 2007 NCTE ALAN conference. They electrified the audience with their enthusiastic presentation. Urban Word is coming to SCLS on Tuesday March 18. Teen librarian attendees will receive an introduction to this group, as well as some techniques to create opportunities for teens to write and perfom their own poetry. Come join us for an energizing, motivating experience.

"We believe teenagers can and must speak for themselves and the key to building self-confidence, honing critical thinking skills, and developing imaginative and honest writing is to honor what they say and feel."

Teen Spaces

Good things come in small packages at Babylon Public Library. Terra cotta colored walls highlight the wonderful fantasy-theme painting by a local artist. Even architectural columns have been incorporated into the artwork. The over-sized book is actually one of the support columns. Lori Ludlow has carefully fit a lot into the small space: two computers, a separate area for new books and top teen books, a nice collection of math books that have been indexed by topic for a recurring school math research project, color-coded books for school summer reading (audio copies of these titles are interfiled with print versions) and board games.

Because the area is small, teens also enjoy other areas of the library. On the cold and snowy day when I visited the comfy chairs around the fireplace looked especially inviting and Babylon teens frequently stop here after school.

Lori has created some outstanding cooperative programs with the children's department. The teens currently have planned to perform their own dramatic production of the Gingerbread Man, with a gingerbread man craft to follow the play. Fifty children have already signed up for this event. There is also strong interest in a beauty shop created by the teens for young girls. Girls, teens, and moms love this!

Congratulations Lori!

Be sure to check out more of the Babylon library and other library photos at SCLS Teen Tour .

New Title for 2009

I recently read The Forest of Hands and Teeth by debut author Carrie Ryan. If you are tired of vampires and looking for a new "creepy read" this may be the title for you. Mary has always lived in a world surrounded by the Unconsecrated. With only a fence and the Sisterhood to protect Mary and her village from the Unconsecrated's unceasing hunger for humans, Mary flees. First she moves into the Cathedral, then escapes to a platform high up in the trees. One night the platforms catch fire. Mary again is on the run again from the unrelenting hands clawing to reach her, teeth waiting to claim her. A chilling, thrilling read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I recommend reading this with the lights turned on. Get a preview into the world of Mary and the Unconsecrated with this trailer .

Please consult the SCLS Professional Collection for a complete listing of all titles available for examination. Online reviews available at SCLS Reads and Paperback Preview.