Harry Potter Birthday Party

On July 31st, we celebrated the birth of the Boy Who Lived in style!

After being sorted into houses, we made our own wands, munched on Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, had a trivia contest, and made our own Butterbeer floats. They tasted pretty magical if I do say so myself! We ended the bash by taking about a million pictures of ourselves decked out in Hogwarts-worthy attire. Check 'em out here.


I'd love to have more Harry Potter programs in the future! Let me know if you have ideas. Send me an owl (or an email) at nplteenlibrarian@gmail.com.

End of Summer Reading

The end of the 2013 Teen Summer Reading Challenge is fast approaching.

The last day to turn in your Summer Reading Challenge Sheet is next Wednesday, August 21. (Let me know if that is a problem for you though because I can be a little bit flexible.)

Be sure to join us for the End of Summer Extravaganza next Thursday, August 22 from 3-5 in the Program Room. We will be announcing the winner of the Grand Prize Raffle! Come find out if you won a Kindle! We will also have a special guest--henna artist Amanda Roberge will be here providing free temporary henna tattoos! There will be snacks, games and more. It's going to be awesome!

A Fantastic Reader

I don't know about you, but an audiobook reader can make a book extra great or absolutely destroy it.  Happily, I just listened to one of the best audiobooks I've heard in a long while.

"Carter's Big Break," written by Brent Crawford and read by Nick Podehl, was terrific!  This was actually the second book in a series.  However, Crawford was so clever in his writing that I would never have known this was a series if Jessica hadn't told me.  But it's really Podehl who made the book.  His reading was the best and funniest representation of a character I've ever heard.  I often listen to audiobooks while I'm out walking around town, and I felt like an idiot laughing out loud like a maniac, but I couldn't stop!

What's it about?  It's summer, and Carter is psyched that his freshman year is over.  He's really excited about summer: he has a great girlfriend, and he and "his boys" have fun plans.  He was talked into doing a musical his freshman year, and, unbelievably, the drama teacher tells him he should try out for a movie being filmed in town.  He does, and snags the lead role!  He'll be acting alongside the most famous movie star in the country: Hillary Idaho.  Of course, there is no way the experience can go well, so Carter has to make his way through many trials and tribulations.

By the way, Jessica loved this audiobook as much as I did.  In fact, she loved Nick Podehl's reading so much she plans to listen to every audiobook he has read.

As a side note, you may be wondering if I am walking around town with a big ol' discman.  Nope!  The library has Playaways.  They are fantastic.  They are tiny mp3 players pre-loaded with a book.  They can fit in a pocket.  I love them.  Give them a try.

Who is your favorite audiobook reader?  Let us know in the comments.

Volunteers at the Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Once again, the Children's Room would have been in tough shape without teen volunteers.  We had a Stuffed Animal Sleepover for kids.  Children dropped off their stuffed animals for a sleepover at the library.  After the library closed, the stuffed animals took part in lots of fun activities, and the kids picked up their stuffed animals the next morning.

Our teen volunteers were fantastic!  They came up with great ideas.

Jack somehow hung Snakie from the lights or the ceiling to have him read a story about a bookworm.

Our volunteers also came up with the idea of putting two of the stuffed animals in the bookdrop (while special guest Dusty watched).

Of course, our volunteers, Jack, Ali and Kaili, were in charge of giving the stuffed animals a tour of the Teen Loft.

Finally, the teens played games with the stuffed animals and helped them with arts and crafts.

We honestly couldn't have done this program without Kaili, Ali and Jack.

If you are interested in volunteering at the library for special programs, contact our Teen Librarian, Jessica, at 978-465-4428 or jhilbun@mvlc.org.

Elementary, My Dear Patron

I love Sherlock Holmes.  I own the full collection and read through it every couple of years.  What I also love, then, are reading other variations of Sherlock Holmes.

I recently discovered the series "The Boy Sherlock Holmes," and I love it!  The author, Shane Peacock, imagines Sherlock as a boy and does an amazing job of explaining how Holmes became a detective, as well as other things you may have always wondered about him as you read the original stories.  For example:

- Why does Holmes never talk about his parents?  He can't have appeared out of thin air.
- How did he find and organize his Baker Street Irregulars?
- Did he go to college?
- How on earth did he become a boxer, of all things?
- Why does he choose not to become close to anyone (except, arguably, Watson)?
- And much, much more!

In addition to the fascination of the information about Holmes, the mysteries are excellent.  I always think I have them figured out, but a twist and a turn later I find I was way off.

The first book in the series is Eye of the Crow.  I would recommend reading them in order.

If you're interested in Sherlock Holmes, I also recommend:

- The "Enola Holmes" series (first book: Case of the Missing Marquess) by Nancy Springer.  This series imagines that Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes have a younger sister.  She kicks butt.

- For older readers, I recommend the "Mary Russell" series by Laurie King (first book: The Beekeeper's Apprentice) in which Holmes takes on an apprentice after he retires.

- When it comes to TV, the premiere series about Sherlock Holmes right now is Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (who was recently in the movie Star Trek Into Darkness).  The BBC produces it, and there are currently two seasons available on DVD, with season 3 due to start airing soon.

Are there any other variations of Sherlock Holmes that you love?  Books, movies, TV shows?  Share them in the comments section.

BINGO!

Thanks to teen volunteers, the Children's Room was able to put on a really fun BINGO night for kids and their families.  We couldn't have done it without our volunteers!  Here are some pictures of them helping us out.

Some of our volunteers at the front of the room calling out BINGO numbers.  (It's a group effort. )

Our volunteers got to play a round.  Sadly, none of them won.  Volunteering is its own reward, right, guys?

One of our volunteers keeping track of the numbers that had been called.

Look how much fun she's having!  Volunteering is THAT FUN!

They worked hard, but they say that had a great time.

If you are interested in volunteering for special events at the library, contact our Teen Librarian, Jessica, at:

nplteenlibrarian@gmail.com

or

978-465-4428 ext. 242

Anyway, a final HUGE thanks to all of you who helped us out.  You presented a fun program!

Summer is here!

Summer is officially here! You know what that means? It's time for the 2013 Teen Summer Reading Challenge! Click the 2013 Teen Summer Reading Challenge tab for more information on how to participate. You can win awesome prizes just for reading a few books and coming to the library!

Pitch Perfect

Hey teens:

Do you think a capella is awesome? Do you need a fun (and FREE) way to spend an afternoon of your April vacation? Head to our free screening of Pitch Perfect (PG-13) in the Program Room at 2:30 pm.

Whether you're a fan of the Bellas or the Treblemakers, you're in for a treat!

P.S. Snacks will be provided!

Safety Pin Bracelets

Stop by the Children's Activity Room tomorrow, Thursday, March 28 between 3 and 4:30 to make yourself a free safety pin bracelet! All materials and snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library.

Here's a sample of what we'll be doing:












image via http://www.craftbits.com/project/safety-pin-bracelet

One Direction Party

Calling all fans of One Direction! Be sure to check out our One Direction Party today from 3-4:30 in the Program Room. Meet fellow 1D fans, listen to music,gush about your favorite band and enter our One Direction raffle! Answer trivia questions and play games to earn chances to win awesome prizes.

The grand prize winner will take home a lifesize cut out of Harry Styles!

And really, we're all winners because everyone will get to enjoy our awesome 1D cake.

Hope to see you there!

John Green Livestream event!

Attention all Newburyport Nerdfighters:

On Tuesday, January 15, John Green will be livestreaming a special event from Carnegie Hall to celebrate the anniversary of The Fault in Our Stars.

We will be hosting a small gathering for local Nerdfighters to meet up and watch the show.

The livestream starts at 7, so plan on getting to the library around 6:45 pm. I'm still not certain which room we'll meet in, so keep checking the blog, our Facebook page and the library website for more details. DFTBA!

Teen Crafternoons

Come get your craft on this month! 

We have two crafternoons planned, and the first event takes place this Thursday, 11/15 from 3-4:30 pm in the Children's Activity Room. We'll be decorating glass candle holders.

image via http://raspberryballoon.blogspot.com/2012/05/whimsical-votive-holders.html

This event is FREE and snacks and supplies will be provided (thanks to the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library)!

Hope to see you there!
 

Creepy Crafts: Ghostwriter

Hey teens and tweens! Don't forget: Today is our first Creepy Craft event! Stop by the Children's Activity Room between 3 and 4 pm to check out this totally FREE event.

We've got something both disgusting and delightful planned....we'll be making severed finger pens!

Banned Books Week

Happy Banned Books Week!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Banned Books Week, the national book community’s celebration of the freedom to read. Every year, tons of books get challenged by people for a variety of reasons. Book challengers want certain books removed from library shelves and school readings lists because they feel the books are inappropriate in some way. 

The American Library Association acknowledges that books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others (usually children and teens) from difficult ideas and information. However, ALA believes that all people should have the freedom to decide for themselves what they should and should not read, so every year during Banned Books Week, librarians, authors, and booksellers go out of their way to encourage folks to read whatever they want! 

Books that get challenged tend to be some of the most interesting books out there! The list of the most frequently challenged books of the last year includes awesomely amazing books like The Hunger Games, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

Celebrate Banned Books Week and your freedom to read by checking out a banned book, and participating in our Banned Books Week programs for teens:

• Enter our Banned Books Week raffle by taking the quiz located at the Teen Loft book display case. You could win a fabulous prize!

• Come to our Scandalous Cinema film screenings. We're showing 2 movies based on banned books:
• Thursday, Oct. 4 / 12:00-3:30 pm : Stop by after your half day of school for pizza and a movie. We'll be showing a classic movie about a boy wizard with a lightning scar...
• Friday, Oct. 5 / 6:00-8:00 pm : Check out our teens only, after hours movie event! We'll be showing a hilarious movie starring Emma Stone, based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. 

Did I mention that these events are entirely FREE? Well, it's true. Free movies, free food, free books! Support Banned Books Week, stick it to the man and have an awesome time!

Teen Advisory Board

The first meeting of the Teen Advisory Board has finally been scheduled! We will be meeting on Friday, October 12 from 3-4 pm in the Children's Activity Room.

All interested teens in middle school and high school are welcome to attend!

We want YOU to help us plan teen programs, tell us what stuff to buy for the Teen Loft, and help out with children's programs.

It's a great opportunity to meet people, earn service hours, and make a difference in your community.

If you'd like to help out but you aren't in middle school yet, let me know! We are also forming a Tween Advisory Board for 4th-6th graders. If you'd like more info, stop by the reference desk, or give me a call at 978-465-4428. Ask for Jessica, the Teen Librarian.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Half Day Craft Day

Got any afternoon plans on your half day of school this Thursday, September 20? Head to the library for our Altered T-Shirt program. Drop in between noon and 1 pm, or later between 3 and 4 pm--whatever floats your boat!

We'll be jazzing up plain t-shirts with fabric paint and bleach pens, having snacks, and being awesome. Stop by!

(via http://sogeekchic.com/post/9858415307/ijusthadtosharewithsomeone-love-this-idea-this)

 

 

All teens are welcome! We'll be downstairs in the Children's Activity Room.

Back to School Craft Program

Heads up: Be sure to stop by after school next Monday, September 10, between 3 and 4 pm for our Back to School Craft program!

We'll be making locker magnets, having snacks and generally being awesome. Check it out!

Labor Day

Hey gang, FYI: The Newburyport Public Library will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday for Labor Day. 

When we open back up on Tuesday, September 4th, the Teen Loft will be back up and running, the computers will be ready to go, and all the construction should be finished. Yay!

Stop in today to pick up something to read or watch over the weekend. And if you haven't done your summer reading yet, we've still got plenty of your required books left.

Have an awesome last couple days of summer break!

Construction update

Things are a little crazy this week at NPL! We're getting new carpet on the second floor so we've had to make some changes this week.

1. There are no public computers available this week. I know it's a bummer but it's only for the week. If you need to use a computer or printer you can go to a nearby MVLC library such as Amesbury, Salisbury, Rowley, Newbury or Haverhill. Give us a call for directions or to check on hours at 978-465-4428).

2. There is no public access to the Teen Loft. However, staff members will be able to grab books for you if you need them!

3. Summer Reading books are now stored in the Children's Room on the 1st Floor.

4. To look up books or make requests, please go to the 3rd floor reference desk.

Thanks for your patience during this week of chaos!

New books!

We just got a new order of books for the Teen Loft! Here's a sneak peek at the goods:

* The Forsaken by Lisa M. Strasse

 After the formation of the United Northern Alliance--a merger of Canada, the United States, and Mexico into one nation--sixteen-year-old Alenna is sent to an desolate prison island for teenagers believed to be predisposed to violence.
 
*Guitar Notes by Mary Amato

Tripp, who plays guitar only for himself, and Lyla, a cellist whose talent has already made her famous but not happy, form an unlikely friendship when they are forced to share a practice room at their high school.

*The Vindico by Wesley King

When supervillains of the Vindico realize they are getting too old to fight the League of Heroes, they kidnap and begin training five teens, but James, Lana, Hayden, Emily, and Sam will not become the next generation of evil without a fight.