Did you know that technology could be creative? If you think gadgets and gizmos are just science, get exposed to some new ideas by coming to a Teen Tech Week program at three different Frederick County Public Library branches!

On March 4 at 3 pm, visit the Middletown Branch Library for some Tech Talk! Bring your device and share with other interested teens. If you want to do some crafting, you can visit the C. Burr Artz Public Library, Downtown Frederick on March 12 at 4 pm to turn your cell phone charger into a unique bracelet. Or stop by the Walkersville Branch Library on March 13 at 3:15 pm for a special fashion technology project!

If you have questions or would like to register, please contact the appropriate library. For more information on Teen Tech Week, visit teentechweek.ning.com. Happy DIY!

Submitted by Melissa Rabey

Teens, grades 6-12, take time and make plans to attend several great programs being offered at the Middletown Branch Library this spring. Programs with people sharing their best with you!

Celebrating Teen Tech Week: DIY @ Your Library: Games

Kyle from GameStop is bringing more new and exciting games plus a few more treats on Tuesday, March 11 at 3 pm. This is your chance to share your gaming enthusiasm.

It is only fitting while The Not Book Group, Book Group reads green this month and looks for signs of spring that Ally Young will be on hand. Ally will share her signing skills in celebration of spring on Tuesday, March 18 at 3:15 pm.

Get out your maps and passport for a chance to travel to Kyrgyzstan as you Meet Syrga, a foreign exchange student at MHS. 'Travel' to her home country and experience her nation's culture. Learn about the geography and people of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, March 25 at 3:15 pm. What has it been like to spend the year here?

Looking for that summer job or future employment? Want insights into the hiring process? Not sure how to fill out that application? Who's the best reference? How to make yourself standout from the crowd? Kyle from GameStop demystifies the process and offers his expertise as a manager during Teens Seeking Employment on Tuesday, April 29 at 3:15 pm.

Great presenters, great opportunities just for you at the Middletown Branch Library. Snacks may be served at these programs.

Submitted by Becky Stone

April 3 at 4 pm - Session 1: Orientation

April 26 at 2 pm - Session 2: Modeling and Judging

Do you like fashion, design or art? Partner up with a friend and sign up for Thurmont Regional Library's own Project Runway for tweens and teens.

Session 1 - Introduction to the Event.

You and your partner will hear all the rules and check out the fabrics, trim, ribbons, buttons, and notions. Choose what you'd like to use on your project, come up with your design, and take it home to create. A representative from the American Sewing Guild will be here to answer questions and offer tips and suggestions.

Session 2 - Modeling and Judging

You will describe what went into creating your outfit. You will talk to the judges personally then one of you will model your creation on our library runway. The judges will choose the winners and prizes will be awarded based on degree of difficulty, originality, and overall appearance. The public will be invited to watch the show.

Click here to register for this program.

Submitted by Clare Bush

March is Youth Art Month at the Thurmont Regional Library. According to the National Art Education Association, "Youth Art Month is an annual observance every March to emphasize the value of art education for all youth and to encourage support for quality school art programs."

Area youth from grades 6 through 12 are invited to display their art throughout the library from March 1-31. All types of art are welcome including paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, and crafts.  

Submissions may be brought to the library any time during the last week of February. Please include your name, age and phone number. And be sure to drop by to take a look at these masterpieces!

Submitted by Clare Bush

The countdown to Summer Reading has officially begun! With only two months to go, we have been busy preparing for another summer full of good reads, exciting programs, and cool crafts.

Summer Reading may not officially begin until May, but we want to see your Summer Reading spirit now! This year's Summer Reading theme for teens in middle and high school is to "Spark a Reaction." While the broad theme is science, we are also looking at other ways to spark a reaction. Sparks will fly in more ways than one this summer as teens participate in a variety of activities. We want you to create your own full-color artwork for our annual Bookmark Art Contest.

The contest--which runs now through March 31--asks Frederick County's elementary and teen readers to submit their best original artwork relating to the Summer Reading theme. One winning design will be chosen from each grade level category (Preschool, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) and will be featured on free bookmarks at all the FCPL branches beginning May 1st. We print the bookmarks in color, so you can use as many colors as you like.

On winter break her senior year in college, Veronica Roth wrote Divergent. This debut novel landed her on the New York Times best sellers list at the tender age of 22.

Told from the perspective of 16-year-old protagonist Beatrice Prior, Divergent chronicles a 

You read the book, and you are planning to see the movie when it premiers March 21st. Now you can plan to attend the awesome teen Divergent program at the Urbana Regional Library on Sunday, March 30 at 2 pm. Teen volunteers at Urbana are planning, organizing, and presenting this event. They have some surprises in store for you!

Plan to have some "Faction" fun with brave, peaceful, honest, intelligent or selfless activities. You can shoot a muffin, make some peaceful jewelry, take a quiz to see what faction you belong, take a dare, and eat some yummy "Dauntless" refreshments (chocolate cake, yum!)

Dress as your favorite faction, if you wish.

Submitted by Mary Ann Foltz