TeenDirect

Greetings!

Now that the school year is officially underway, things start change at the library. Time to shift gears, think about school assignments, and fitting library programs into teens' busy schedules.

What are you doing to meet the needs of teens in your community? I'd love to hear what you are doing and how it is working.
What's happening with teens in your library?

Please Keep in Touch,

Barbara

CampYA

Fifty young adult librarians gathered at Bay Shore Brightwaters Public Library for a stimulating day of discussion. Thanks to Linda Clark, librarian extraordinaire, the venue was perfectly set up with yummy food and fantastic arrangements.

We were fortunate to have facilitators Megan Honig, Jack Martin, and Chris Shoemaker from New York Public Library facilitate discussions. Topics selected by the group included: Collaboration, Collection Development, A Day in the Life of a Teen Librarian, Involving Teens and particularly special populations, Creating an Online Presence that Teens will Frequent, Outreach including School Visits & Marketing, Programming, and Teen Spaces. The discussion was lively, with many concerns and suggestions shared. The great part about this "unconference" is that plans have been made to continue the discussion and sharing online.

It was memorable day. Thanks to all who attended and helped make Suffolk County's first unconference for librarians a success. Young Adult librarians seriously ROCK!

Suffolk Homework Help

The Suffolk Homework Help campaign keeps building momentum! Thanks to Jan Miller, Catherine LaStella, Deb Domingos, and all the other great librarians who have been sharing their suggestions. You can visit the Suffolk Library System website for official information, or our unofficial webpage filled with ideas and suggestions.We even have a great idea from a library director!
Please feel free to download copies, order promotional materials, send photos and ideas. The more who join in, the better the campaign will be!

A complementary Suffolk Homework Help candy bar is sent to each librarian who submits a published idea.

Life Choices

This month's titles focus on "life choices". Here are two thoughtful explorations by teen girls about life and the choice to live. Both books continue to haunt me. Loved them both!

Bt the Time You Read This cover

Julie Ann Peters' By the Time You Read this, I'll be Dead was initially a title I was reluctant to pick up. However, once I started this was a "read in one sitting" novel. Daelyn has attempted suicide on several occasions. One day she finds Through-the-Light, a web site which helps her plan her exit. As Daelyn frequents the site, she also meets Santana, a strange friend who frequents "her bench"; and Emily, the girl from choir. Each day, each decision, brings Daelyn closes to the day when she will move Through-the-Light. This books is filled with thoughtful questions, but no easy answers. This is definitely a MUST READ!

If I Stay If I Stay cover

by Gayle Forman has been receiving a lot of buzz, and the noise is justified. Mia has a great family, a fantastic boyfriend, and a life full of promise as a talented musician. One day, one car accident changes everything. Mia now lies in a hospital bed, somewhere between life and death. With the loss of what she loved and little hope for the future, what should be her choice?
Another wonderful book about life and what makes a life worth living. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. This book is high on my list of great reads for thoughtful older teens.

Please consult the SCLS Professional Collection for a complete listing of all titles available for examination.

Cool Prize

Here's your chance to win a great prize for your library: the brand new edition of The Teen Vogue Handbook. If your teens like fashion and looking cool, they will love this book. Enter for your chance to win!