Teens

Banned Books Week: September 18–24

Celebrate Banned Books Week 2022

Books unite us. They reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, divides us and creates barriers. One of our most important goals here at the Library is to provide free and equitable access to information and resources. Among the many implications of that word–access–is the notion of freedom: you are free to read, watch, play, or listen to whatever interests you.

For nearly 40 years, the American Library Association and other organizations who are committed to preserving the tenet of intellectual freedom have promoted Banned Books Week in late September. Libraries around the world celebrate this annual event by hosting author visits and book talks, special programs and book displays, and other initiatives to promote awareness of the many literary works that are routinely challenged and censored.

   
Posted by Tori L. on September 18, 2022
Intellectual Freedom    Learn    Read   
Think Library    Adults    Teens   

Youth Art Month Contest

Oceans of Possibilities Youth Art Contest Winners

Winners from left to right include: Ben McClary, Zoa Barker, Emilee Allsop, Mackenzie Wood (top), Remy Niederman (bottom), and Lola Burkson 

In March we asked children to create original artwork using the theme of our summer reading games––Oceans of Possibilities! As usual, you did not disappoint, submitting over 70 pieces of artwork to the contest!

Our staff members were pleased to receive so many creative and imaginative entries.

“It certainly made the decision tough––we ended up choosing six winners!” said Ginny Hosler, a librarian, and the contest’s programmer.

The six winning pieces will be made into collectible summer reading prize bookmarks. Children who participate in the games will receive a bookmark as their 10-point prize.

But we’re not stopping there! “There were so many great submissions that we decided to showcase all of the entries at the Downtown Library this summer. We hope everyone will come and see just how creative our community is!” Hosler said.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on April 26, 2022
Create    Friends of the Library    Library Events    Library News    Read    Summer Reading Games   
Infant/Toddler    Preschool    Tween   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

New Digital Creativity Services

Level Up

There are now more ways to get creative in Level Up, our digital creativity space! 3D printing and memory preservation have joined our existing services, which include video and audio recording, Adobe Creative Cloud-equipped workstations, and more!

 

3D Printing

3D printing is now available on demand in Level Up! Reserve the 3D printer for up to three hours of print time to turn your digital designs into real-world physical objects. Create a cool keychain, miniatures for your role-playing game, a giftable photo frame–the options are endless! Usage is limited to one single-colored print per day.

Looking for some guidance? We have access to intuitive software options and a free ready-to-print library, and we offer regular 3D printing workshops! View upcoming events and 3D printing resources.

 

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on April 15, 2022
3D Printing    Connect    Create    Learn    Library News    Lifelong Learning    Local & Family History    Local Interest    Meeting Rooms & Study Spaces   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids    Level Up   

April is Poetry Month

Poetry Month

Every April, the world celebrates poetry! The month is a reminder that poets play an integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. To celebrate, we have a lot of opportunities to read, listen, connect, and create with poetry in a variety of ways.

“Poetry is humanity's oldest form of literature–it's both ancient and modern. If you don't like reading it, you can listen to it,” said Jack Kovaleski, Community Engagement Librarian. “If you don't like listening to it, you can write it! Give it a chance and it will surprise you.”

Poetry Listening Station

Poets write what Robert Frost called "the sound of sense." Poetry read aloud can bring the words to life, helping a poem resonate with the reader. Experience the sound of sense at our poetry listening station in The Commons on the second floor of the Downtown Library, beginning April 2!

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on March 31, 2022
Connect    Create    Learn    Library News    Poetry   
Tween   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

Celebrating Black Voices: Jacqueline Woodson & Coretta Scott King Awards Exhibit

Celebrating Black Voices

On Saturday, February 5 from 7–8:15 PM, The Friends of the Library and Monroe County Public Library will host award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as part of the biennial “Power of Words: Changing Our World One Author at a Time” programming series. The talk is free and open to the public. 

Listen to the internationally acclaimed author, who gives voice to African American life through more than 30 books, ranging from children’s picture books to young adult literature to adult novels. Woodson is a National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature for her New York Times bestselling memoir “Brown Girl Dreaming”, among many other awards. The doors will open at 6:30 PM and tickets are not required. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required per the Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s policy.

   
Posted by Mandy H. on January 24, 2022
African American    Author Event    Award Winner    Biography & Memoir    Book Clubs    Connect    Diversity    Essays    Friends of the Library    Learn    Library Events    Library News    Nonfiction    Poetry    Press Release    Read    YA   
Think Library    Adults    Teens   

Top Circulating Items of 2021

Top Circulating Items of 2021

2021 is in the books! We’re taking a look back at the media that kept you entertained and educated last year. We tallied the numbers and here are our top circulating items of 2021!

Planning your 2022 reading list? There are some great options here, including Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning author will speak at our February 5 Power of Words event!

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on January 6, 2022
Learn    Library News    Library of Things    Literacy    Read   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

MLK Day Celebration

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Events

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re celebrating Black lives and remembering the tremendous life and accomplishments of Dr. King with a day full of events and opportunities to serve our community. 

 

MLK Day Activities at the Downtown Library

We’ll start the day at 9:30 AM with a storytime featuring "Hands Up" by Brianna J. McDaniel and "Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race" by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, followed by crafts to celebrate Black lives and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following storytime, at 11 AM, the Bloomington Peace Choir, a community choir that sings to uplift their spirits and the world, will join us for a short all-ages performance in the atrium.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on December 30, 2021
African American    Connect    Friends of the Library    Inclusiveness    Library Events    Library News    Service   
Preschool    Tween   
Adults    Teens    Kids   

Create-a-Comic Challenge Entries

In November, we challenged you to create an original one-page comic to share with the community and enter to win a gift card to Vintage Phoenix Comic Books! Categories were available for kids ages 7–11 and teens ages 12–19. The winners were randomly selected.

We received 38 original, fun, and imaginative pieces that we've included here. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us. You make our work at the Library so enjoyable!

 
   
Posted by Paula G.O. on December 10, 2021
Create   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

Black Friday Deals at Your Library

Black Friday Deals

Black Friday only comes around once a year, but our deals are available every day! There’s no need to shop around––eBooks, movies, music, it's all free. Every day. All year long with your library card!

Stream Adele’s brand new album 30 on Freegal Music! Freegal offers unlimited streaming of over 16 million songs, including Sony Music's entire catalog of legendary artists. You can also download five free songs a week!

Check out New York Times Bestselling titles from Libby! Like the thriller The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave or The Midnight Library by Matt Haig! Libby also offers thousands of audiobooks, magazines, and videos. Enjoy them online, or watch on your personal device.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on November 23, 2021
Audiobooks    Award Winner    eBooks    Fiction    Gaming    Learn    Library News    Library of Things    Lifelong Learning    Magazines & Newspapers    Nonfiction    TV & Movies   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

Big Library Read: "Five Total Strangers"

Five Total Strangers; Big Library Read, November 1–15, 2021; She thought being stranded was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong. Libby, the library reading app.

From November 1–15, book lovers can read Five Total Strangers by New York Times-bestselling author Natalie D. Richards, as part of The Big Library Read, the world's largest digital book club!

The Big Library Read is available at over 21,000 libraries and thousands of schools around the world. During the event timeframe, library cardholders can download this page-turning YA thriller with no waitlist as an ebook or eaudiobook via the Libby app. The title will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. Learn more about how to use Libby with your library card. 

   
Posted by Mandy H. on October 29, 2021
Book Clubs    Read    Thriller   
Think Library    Adults    Teens   

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