Teen Read Week 2011 is here and to honor it we are holding a READ OFF YOUR FINES event on October 18th from 2-9pm.  That means if your "caught" reading in the Library between the hours mentioned you will recieve a waiver card from Erica, Beth, or Alex.  If we didn't happen to see you, find us and let us know all about what you've read and we will be happy to give you waiver card. When you receive the card bring it to the front desk and hand it in to get all of your fines waived! It's that simple so don't let this oppertunity pass you by!

*Refreshments will be served*

The Teen Advisory Board will discuss rescheduling this program. Drat you snow in October!

The Darien Library Teen Advisory Board Presents:

A Halloween Movie Marathon 

When: October 29th, 2011 from 4:00PM- 10:00PM.

What: We will be viewing: Casper the Friendly Ghost, The Sixth Sense, & The Haunting!

Where: In the Community Room of the Library.

*This program is open to all teens 13-18 years old.  Come hang with your friends, eat tons of free food, watch scary movies, and get into the Halloween spirit.*

Come dressed in your Halloween costume and you could win a prize for best costume.

Check out our page on Facebook!

Hey Everyone! 

Have you had a chance to stop by the Teen Lounge lately?  For those of you in the know--and for those of you who aren't yet--we now have Recommended Reading Cards hanging from the shelves in the Teen area! 

What exactly are these cards, you ask?  Well, they highlight just a few of the great reads found in our collection that we, as your awesome librarians, think you'd enjoy!  They're also conveniently located on the bookshelves so that if you are struggling to find a new book (or you need one for a book report!) you can flip through any (and all) of the cards to find a read that appeals to you. The cards have been sorted by topics, so make sure you circle the lounge to see what else is there that might catch your eye. 

Recommended reading topics include:

• Fantasy
• Self-Esteem
• Non-Fiction
• Light, Feel-Good Reads
• Diary and Journal
• Friends and Friendship
• Relationships, Romance, and Forever Friends
• LGBTQ
• Mysteries
• Stories of the Sea

We've tried to cover a variety of topics, but if you feel we've missed something, let us know, and we'll try to add more cards. 

Happy reading!

(photo courtesy of Flickr user Pink Sherbert Photography)

*All new session on Thursday, October 27th at 4pm*

*Stop by this Thursday for another great session!*

If you want to be a writer or consider yourself a great reader, then come by! Bring your friends to a new short story discussion group at Darien Library. 

By dissecting the story, by agreeing and disagreeing with each other, and by offering our opinions, we’ll not only have fun, but come to a better understanding of literature in general. 

Maybe along the way, you will write your own short story to share with the group!

 *Copies of the short shories are available in the Teen Lounge.*

For teens, grades 7 through 9

(photo courtesy of flickr user HaPe_Gera)

If you're into graphic design and computer animation, put your skills to the test and compete for a prize. Use the Macs in the Teen Lounge or design a project at home. Hand your photo to a teen librarian on or before June 27th.  If I haven't already received your entry stop in today at 2PM in the Teen Lounge to add your finishing touches!

*The winner will be notified at the end of the week.*

If you know lots of random stuff or you're just a really good guesser join us today in the Teen Lounge at 3:30PM for a little Useless Trivia. If you get the high score you'll win a itunes giftcard!

Refreshments will be served.

(image courtesy of flickr user Blungeoner86)

Stop by the Teen Lounge today, June 21st at 3PM for a chance to make your very own tube of lip gloss! Choose the color and flavor.  Add a little bit of pink or a lot!

Refreshments will be served. 

School is finishing and summer is about to begin!  On June 20, the Teen Summer Reading program kicks off at the library.  We have fabulous books, awesome activities, hilarious games, creative contests, and spectacular prizes (seriously, they're really good).  And it's so easy to get involved.  At the end of the summer, we'll wrap things up with a Finale Party on August 16 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room--pizza, Darien Idol, and a raffle for an iPad.

Special Events

We have too many excellent events to list them all, but here are a few great ones coming up. All events are held in the Teen Lounge unless otherwise noted and there WILL be snacks.  Come join us to make something new, share a secret skill, or dominate the library with a remote-control helicopter (that last one only happens once, so don't miss it).

Make Your Own Lip Balm, Tuesday, June 21at 3 p.m. Choose the color and flavor of your very own pot of gloss.

Henna Tattoos, Wednesday, June 22 at 3 p.m. Come get some cool temporary body art for the summer!

Best Book Trailers, Thursday, June 30 at 1 p.m. Learn film-making techniques to plan, shoot, and edit a teaser about a book you love. Then enter Stories & Shorts, our book trailer contest!

Toy Helicopter Battle, Thursday, July 7 at 3 p.m. Battle toy helicopters in a race around the Library.

Designer Sneakers, Friday, July 15 at 2 p.m. Grab some Converse All-Stars, some paint, and go to town. To register for this program, please contact Teen Librarian Erica Leone at (203) 669-5225 or eleone@darienlibrary.org

Recurring Events

Some of our ideas are too good to only happen once.  Hit up these ongoing events throughout the summer.

Game On!, every Friday, June 24-August 12 at 4:00 p.m. Play the latest XBox Kinect games.  Weekly winners receive $10 gift card to Uncle's Brain Food Cafe. 

Teen Writers Group, every second Thursday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the Harris Writer’s Room. Come hone your skills and share with other young authors.

Chess Teen Titans, June 20, July 11and 25, August 1 at 4:00 in the Power Library Room 2.

Contests!

I know you heard the word prizes.  Here's how to get entered in our Finale Party raffle and win other amazing treats.

Review Writing: Look out for the weekly review raffle post in the teen section of the website and comment to let us know what you've been reviewing. After every 5 reviews you also get a raffle entry for an iPad at the Finale Party! If you need a recommendation for a great book to read and review, check out the booklists on our website, look at the lists in the Teen Lounge or ask a librarian.  We love giving suggestions!

Stories & Shorts: Teen Book Trailer Video Contest, June 20 - August 5. Winners will be announced at the Stories & Shorts Award Ceremony on Monday, August 22 at 7 p.m.. Cash prizes will be awarded!

Foursquare: Check in with Foursquare on your smartphone every time you visit the library during Summer Reading.  The mayor wins a $25 iTunes card.  Everyone who checks in 5 times gets a raffle entry.

QR Code Hunt: Scan the 5 QR codes we've posted around the library. Use clues to find all 5, then submit the answers to teenstaff@darienlibrary.org. The first correct submission wins a $25 iTunes gift card. All other correct submissions get entered into the raffle.

If you have questions about anything Summer Reading Program-related, ask a librarian or contact Erica at eleone@darienlibrary.org.  And keep checking our website all summer long to hear about the best books and great programs before they happen.

(photo courtesy of Flickr user Stepheye)

Finals got you down?

Take a break on us! Come to the Teen Lounge for coffee and refreshments provided by Uncle's Brainfood Cafe.

Study Break Times:

Wednesday, June 8th at 5:00PM

Thursday, June 9th at 7:30PM

Sunday, June 12th at 7:00PM

Monday, June 13th at 7:30PM

Tuesday June 14th at 7:30PM