Steal a Scene Writing Contest!

Do you have a scene in your head that you need to commit to paper? Now's your chance to get it out with the "Steal a Scene" Writing Contest! This contest is open to all teens in grades 7-12. The details: The scene must have at least 2 people and scenery that can be described. You can e-mail your entries to teenservices@stdl.org or drop scenes off at the Readers' Advisory Desk or either of the branch libraries.
Entries are due January 2nd.

The more creative the scene the better! :)

SUBMIT YOUR SCENE NOW »

"Locked-In @ the Library" Event Canceled!

The Locked In @ the Library event has been canceled. Sorry for any inconvenience; we will keep you posted once this event has been rescheduled.

Gamers Group Tomorrow!

It's been awhile, but Gamers Group is back tomorrow! A variety of platforms will available for gaming including PS3, XBOX 360, and Wii. If our previous gaming sessions are any indication, we'll have a huge crowd for Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Rock Band. If you're down for some gaming and you're a teen in grades 6-12, just head over to the Youth Services Classroom tommorow (7/14) from 7:30 - 8:30. No registration necessary, just show up and start playing!

ART ATTACK!

All teens in grades 6-12 are welcome to attend "Art Attack" this Wednesday (7/9) from 7-8 P.M. Unleash your inner artist on a variety of mediums whether it's painting, drawing, sculpture, and more! You don't need to be an artist to attend--all you need to bring is your creative mind! Registration is required, but there are still several spots available.

REGISTER NOW »

Get Your Entries In! Comic Creators Contest Runs from July 1st - July 31st!

Hey True Believers! All teens are welcome to create their own short comic strips during our Comic Creators Consest. Design your own, and win the chance at a Borders gift certificates--you'll definitely be able to stock up on your collection of trades and graphic novels!:)

Here's what you need to do to enter:

STEP 1:

A) Pick up an entry form from the Reader's Advisory Desk (which contains 3 long panels on an 8x10 sheet of paper). Get creative and use the additional sheet if necessary.

or

B) Create your own strip/panels using your own paper--again, you can get as creative as you'd like. If you create your own, be sure to include your name, grade, e-mail address, and phone number.

Panels must show a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
STEP 2:

Turn in your entry at the Reader's Advisory Desk or either of the branch libraries.

All entries will be judged by Josh Elder, our resident Anime Club leader and writer of DC Comics' The Batman Strikes as well as Mail-Order Ninja. Winners will be displayed in the library during Teen Appreciation Week from August 10-16.

Get your entries in and win!

Fabulous Beaded Flip Flops!

This Tuesday (6/24), we'll be turning ordinary pairs of flip flops into fashionable footwear creations! For a $5 fee (cover the cost of materials), you can create your very own pair of fabulous beaded flip flops! However, we'll waive the $5 fee if bring a donation to the Schaumburg Food Pantry. The items that are most needed are: peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, dried pastas, and mac n' cheese.

Registration is required so, if you'd like to attend, please send an e-mail to Amy Alessio at aalessio@stdl.org or call 847-923-3191. Flip flops and decorating materials will be provided, but please give us your shoe size so that we can get you the right fit! NOTE: Responses must be recieved by Monday at 3:00 P.M. in order to reserve your spot.

Make a statement with truly unique footwear!

Register Now»

New Student Advisory Trustee Position on the Library Board

There is a Student Advisory Trustee Position open on the Library Board. We are looking for students aged 15-20 to participate in government and provide suggestions on ways the library can better serve young people. The student trustee will attend STDL board meetings for one year starting in September 2008. Basically, this is your chance to represent your peers and make your voice heard on the many issues concerning the library amongst the decision-makers. It's an important position that has a huge impact on library policies. We're looking for a smart candidate with a passion for libraries and improving the library for young people.

You can send an e-mail to aalessio@stdl.org for an application or pick up an application at the Information Desk at the central library. Applications will be accepted from June 1st - July 31st.

Aloha Summer! 2008 Summer Reading Celebration!

Aloha summer! Kick back and relax with a few good books and win prizes during the 2008 Summer Reading Program!

Here's how it works:
Register at the Readers' Advisory Desk at the main library or at either of the branches PLUS you get a prize just for signing up! Once you're registered, you'll recieve all you need to get started plus 3 review slips. All you need to do is READ, write your reviews on the slips provided (additional slips are available at any of our locations), and use your review slips to "buy" prizes.

The prize break down:
1 slip - candy bar or granola bar
5 slips - coupon for an extra CD, DVD, or video game at checkout
10 slips - coupon for $10 off library fines
15 slips - $5 gift certificate to Cafenios (library cafe) at the main library or $5 gift certifcates to McDonalds at the branches

You can "buy" prizes in any order,

but you may only redeem your slips for the 5, 10, and 15 slip prizes only once.

Happy reading everyone and start enjoying the summer!

Teen Power Poetry Contest Winners!

Thanks to everyone that submitted their poems! We've got a lot of talented poets out there, and we urge you to continue writing and developing your skills.

The winners as selected by the Teen Writing Club:
1st Place - "Journey to Wherever" by Emily Ellinger
2nd Place - "That Night" by Krishna Brahmbhatt
3rd Place - "My Gold and My Fame" by Sivali Patel
Honorable mention - "(Woes of an Introvert)" by Jessica Kneller

1st Place: "Journey to Wherever" by Emily Ellinger

Clouds of silver,
Drift to the ground,
Sparkling and shining,
On their lazy descent,

Whom has walked,
This road I travel?
Whom has bothered,
To come this way?

No one of late,
I see that clearly,
No one of late has,
Chanced down this path,
Unless just maybe,
This path is taken,
But my destination,
Is their beginning,

Far in the cities,
Wagon wheels race,
To and fro so quickly,
Each with passengers,
With things to do,

The mud becomes slush,
For they in the city,
Don't look as they go,
they see only where,
The chance to be headed,

But out here,
Sparkling, clear and white,
Far from the dark bleak towers,
The path is not to where,
Or even where from,
The path is simply,
How you get there,

And so I walk,
Alone this day,
Through fields of crystal,
Completely undisturbed,

And know that since,
The snow last fell,
Not a soul,
Has past my way,

Thus not with traffic,
And not with company,
I watch the snow,
Still lightly fall,

On my journey:
To Wherever.

2nd place: "That Night" by Krishna Brahmbhatt

In the sky's arms the moon waited alone
A blowing gust of wind, the shining night
In the star's carriage a sparkling procession of fireflies has come
Upon everyone's lips some words came and stopped
Whose footstep is this, whose shadow is this
There knock in my heart, who has come here
Upon me who has put this lively color

I did not decorate the moon upon my palm
I did not make any relationship with the stars
I have hidden every sorrow
I have laughingly taken on every pain
I have even embraced the thorns
and have taken wounds from flowers
Yes but in prayer when I raised these hands
From God in prayer I asked for you

3rd Place: "My Gold and My Fame" by Sivali Patel

Take my gold, take my fame,
You may have my youth,
My childhood's showers,
My paper boat and the fresh rain,
But you may not have my memories.

She lived here for so long,
She whom I called Granny,
She who told me stories about fairies,
I will never forget her even though she is gone.
Filling my nights with magical tales and her soft kindness.

She who used to make me feel secure,
She who made me cookies,
She who used to comfort me in my lonely times.
She who told me every sickness had a cure.
Wasn't it beautiful, that life of mine?

Take my gold, take my fame,
You may have my youth,
My childhood's showers,
My paper boat and the fresh rain,
But you may not have my memories.

Honorable Mention: "(Woes of an Introvert)" by Jessica Kneller

The world forever urges me to speak,
to sculpt the clay of words to mirror what
floats imageless within my domed peak,
deface the woven silence with a cut.
To say some word alone for speaking's sake
would lead to idle chattering of fools.
And from my own voice, joy I hardly take;
I'd rather glean my pond'ring's hard-earned jewels.
If these request to speak were not endured,
and unstrained words composed a foolish flood,
if I released my heart in every word,
what would be left inside to pump the blood?
Just as a lock will not spring sans a key,
my words will not be prodded out of me.

Get Homework Help from an STDL Librarian -- Online!

You're probably multi-taking on your computer as we speak... between researching projects, talking with friends online, or looking up random words in Wikipedia. Let the library help you with those tough research questions and steer you in the right direction. We're happy to offer free online "answers in an instant" via AIM, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Google Talk (or G-chat). Add us to your buddy list and get homework help from a real, live STDL librarian!

AIM - stdl411
Yahoo - stdl411
MSN - stdl411@hotmail.com
Google Talk - stdl411@gmail.com

ATTN CSI Fanatics: Teen Advisory Board and Teen Writing Club This Tuesday!

Teen Advisory Board meets this Tuesday (2/19 @ 5:45-7) in the Rasmussen South meeting room at the Central Library, and we've got something intersting planned for all you CSI fanatics... you can solve a crime scene! Join us as Sgt. Mike Black of the Schaumburg PD goes through the anatomy of a crime scene that you can help solve! As always pizza and beverages will be served, so come hungry!

For all you writers out there, stick around afterwards for Teen Writing Club. Run by local author, Catherine Stier, get tips on writing and share your writing with others. TWC meets in the same room from 7-8:30. To register send an e-mail to Amy Alessio or Joe Torres. You can also be old school and register by phone - (847)923-3191.

Think Fast Trivia Contest at the Library!

Test your trivia knowledge! The library is hosting ThinkFast, a head-to-head trivia contest, one team against another, one player against another on Saturday, March 8! There can be 3 people per team, and team members must be 14 years of age or older. Last year, a team consisting of teens won against adults! Let's see that happen again this year!

Register by February 15th, 10 PM at www.stdl.org/thinkfast!

Reminder: Teen Advisory Board This Tuesday!

The Teen Advisory Board will be meeting in the Rasmussen South Room of the Central Library from 5:45-7 this Tuesday (1/15). In addition to going over some of ideas you may have for upcoming teen events, we'll also be playing some Wii and enjoying some delicious pizza and snacks as usual. If you'd like to register, send an e-mail to jtorres@stdl.org, and I'll sign you up!

Winter Reading Program: Not Too Cool to Read

The 2008 Winter Reading Program is in full swing! The theme is "Not Too Cool to Read." That's both in reference to the weather and high-school style coolness (and you know what we mean). Nobody ever reads anymore--or so they say. So no matter how reading is perceived by various high school cliques--always remember--nothing's cooler than being smart and knowlegeable (really, as you get older this will be clearer) and reading can take you there!

So stop by the Central library or either of the branches to register and pick up your book review forms. Book review forms can be used to "buy" some great prizes, and you'll be entered for some drawings; in the past prizes have ranged from autographed books to gift cards. So, get reading and we're looking forward to reading your reviews!

Anime Club: Farewell Party for Shannon

Anime Club members that have gone to the past few meetings know the sad news that Shannon, our resident anime maven is moving. Join us in giving her a great send-off and to wish her good luck as she makes her way to the great state of Michigan! The party will be in the usual Anime Club spot--the YS Classroom, Monday January 7th at 7:00 P.M.!