A Fond Farewell -- and Looking Ahead to the End of the Year

Well, if you haven't heard the news yet, I have accepted a new librarian position over at the Comstock Township Library near Kalamazoo and will be leaving the Vicksburg District Library.  I have really enjoyed working with all you teens and getting to know the community.  It was a wonderful experience and I will miss you all.  My last day will be Halloween, so come on out and say goodbye before I leave.  

Okay, that being said, the fun isn't stopping at the Vicksburg Library!!  On Thursday, October 31, in celebration of Halloween, we are having our monthly teen/tween event.  Come in that day at 4:00pm to participate in a Food Fear Factor.  All you need to do is bring an empty stomach and your sense of adventure to participate in an extreme (and gross) eating challenge.  There will be lots of fun and prizes, too!  

Then it will be November (already)!  On Tuesday, November 5, from 3-4, there will be a Writers' Workshop in honor of November is National Write a Novel Month.  All writers are welcome to bring stories they are currently working on to ask for help or suggestions.  Anyone interested in writing is welcome, too!  And then on Tuesday, November 12, from 3-4, there will be Free Wii Play.  Bring in a Wii game from home or play one of ours!  

The last teen event of the month of November is the monthly teen/tween event, run by Ms. Kristy.  On Thursday, November 21, at 4pm, we will be doing an "Attitude of Gratitude" event -- come in and make blankets and "snuggles" for animals that we will then donate to an area animal shelter.  See how good it feels to give back and do something for charity -- right before Thanksgiving!  And that will do it for November -- we have no programming the last week of the month because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  (Don't forget that the Vicksburg District Library is closed on Thanksgiving, but reopens the next day for normal Friday business hours -- 10 to 5).

That brings us to December, which generally has no programming or events; everyone is so busy that we like to give everyone a break for the holidays and the librarians use the time to plan new programs for the rest of the winter and spring.  This year -- however -- Ms. Kristy and I settled on just a few small things to keep everyone in good spirits.  On Thursday, December 5, at 4pm, we will hold the next "Pizza and Pages" bookclub.  The pick for this time is "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli -- come in and check out a copy at the library and be ready to discuss by the next meeting.  (Usually the bookclub is the fourth Thursday of the month, but we bumped it from November due to Thanksgiving.)

On the next Thursday, December 12, Ms. Kristy will host a special holiday event for all ages!  The community is invited to make Candy Cottages from 5-7pm -- we'll supply all of the music and supplies for the houses, you supply the creativity!  Then on the following Tuesday, December 17, there will be a special teen event (at the normal 3-4pm time) for a "Welcome Winter" party.  Come and enjoy food, games, and crafts as you learn about different seasonal holidays.  

Also, don't forget about T.A.B. -- the Teen Advisory Board!  We are still taking new members -- sign up to help plan programs, help pick out books and movies to add to the library's collection, and to possibly get credit for school volunteer hours.   The meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month from 3-4pm, ask at the Circulation Desk for more information.  The next meetings are: Thursday, October 24, and Thursday, November 21.  
  
Lastly, a reminder of our holiday hours as the year draws to a close.  Like I mentioned before, the Vicksburg District Library is closed on Thursday, November 28, for Thanksgiving.  The library is also closed Tuesday, December 24 for Christmas Eve; Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas; Tuesday, December 31 for New Year's Eve; and Wednesday, January 1 for New Year's Day.  We will be open all of the days in between for normal business hours.  Have fun and be safe!

Any questions or comments?  Contact the library at 649-1648 or at info@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!

Fall Fun!

Happy Fall, everyone!  Yes, fall events are well underway here at the Vicksburg Library.  We have tons to talk about for October and November! 




Teen events still happen every Tuesday, after school, from 3-4pm.  Tomorrow, October 8, we have a new Anime and Origami Day.  We have a special guest teaching origami projects and we will also be showing a new anime series on the big screen!  Come do one or the other, or both while you enjoy Japanese snacks and drinks.  On October 15, we will combine a craft project with food to make Edible Earth Models and on October 22, we will bring out some of the new board games the library purchased over the summer and have some free game time.

Then, on Thursday, October 31, we have a special event for -- you guessed it, Halloween!  Come in at 4:00pm to participate in a Food Fear Factor.  Do you have the guts to participate in an extreme (and gross) eating challenge?  November will feature even more fun -- we have a writers' workshop, a Wii tournament, an Operation Gratitude craft project (make a craft project that will help your community), and more!


Next up is a reminder that we are always looking for teens to meet on the last Thursday of every month from 3-4 to be a part of our Teen Advisory Board (TAB).  TAB gets to help plan programs, help pick out books and movies to add to the library's collection, and may be able to get credit for school volunteer hours.  Our next meeting is Thursday, October 24 at 3:00pm.  We will be discussing what programs we want to do over the winter, snacks and prizes for those programs, and what movies we want to add to the collection for teens.

Lastly, I wanted to thank everyone that came to our new book club for teens and tweens last month!  We had an AWESOME turnout!!  In case you haven't heard, Ms. Kristy and I started a new book club for teens and tweens.  We are calling it "Pizza & Pages."  Basically, we will pick a book and announce it and then you have the month to get it from the library (or somewhere else) and read it!  On the day of the Pizza & Pages meeting, just show up ready to talk about the book and discuss it with other teens.  We will supply the books, the discussion questions, and most important -- the pizza!  The next meeting is Thursday, October 24, and the book is "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick.  Come in today to pick up a copy! 

Any questions or comments?  Contact me, Ms. Beth -- the Teen Librarian -- at 649-1648 or at bdowson@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!

Teen Scene, Sundays, T. A. B., Pizza & Pages, and More!

Hey, everyone!  We have lots to talk about!!  Fall is almost here and with it comes a lot of new and returning things at the Vicksburg District Library. 

First up -- the Teen Scene.  Did you know that the Vicksburg District Library has weekly events for teens during the school year?  Did you know that we also have special events every month for the combined Tween and Teen groups?  Yep!  Starting on Tuesday, September 10, we will start having Teen Scene events again at 3:00pm.  We're kicking off with a Back-to School Trivia Contest for prizes.  The Tween/Teen Event will be held the following week on Thursday, September 19, from 4:00-5:00pm, where Ms. Kristy will be hosting a Banned Books Week celebration.  The last Teen Scene event for the month will be held on Tuesday, September 24 at 3:00pm, when we will have Movie and a Snack: Part 1 -- we'll start a brand new DVD and finish up the following Tuesday (October 1) at 3:00.  Don't miss it -- and bring your friends!  Teen events are open to everyone ages 12-19!


Next up is a reminder that we are always looking for teens to meet on the last Thursday of every month from 3-4 to be a part of our Teen Advisory Board (TAB).  TAB gets to help plan programs, help pick out books and movies to add to the library's collection, and may be able to get credit for school volunteer hours.   Our first meeting for this school year is Thursday, September 26 at 3:00pm.  We will be discussing what programs we want to do over the winter, snacks and prizes for those programs, and what movies we want to add to the collection for teens.

I also wanted to mention a BRAND NEW PROGRAM!  Ms. Kristy and I are starting a new book club for teens and tweens this month.  We are calling it "Pizza & Pages."  Basically, we will pick a book and announce it and then you have the month to get it from the library (or somewhere else) and read it!  On the day of the Pizza & Pages meeting, just show up ready to talk about the book and discuss it with other teens.  We will supply the books, the discussion questions, and most important -- the pizza!  Our first pick is the book "Wonder" by R. J. Palaccio.  Come pick up a copy now and read it!  Then join us on Thursday, September 26, from 4-5pm to eat pizza and discuss "Wonder."

Lastly, just another reminder that we are now open on Sundays again until next summer!  Our Sunday hours are 1-5, and either Ms. Kristy or I will always be here to help you with homework, let you use the computers, or check out materials for you.  C'mon in and visit! 


Any questions or comments?  Contact me, Ms. Beth -- the Teen Librarian -- at 649-1648 or at bdowson@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!

2013 Teen Summer Reading Program at the Vicksburg District Library -- Dead and Buried (Beneath the Surface!)

We had a truly exceptional year this summer with our summer reading program for both kids and teens alike!  Over 70 teens signed up for the "Beneath the Surface" reading program and almost half as many reached the 30 minutes per day goal!  Congrats, everyone!!  It was one of our best summers yet! 

To see all of the photos from the events this summer, please check out our Facebook page.  We'd also love to hear what you thought of our program this year. Please take a moment to fill out this quick survey about our Summer Reading Program.  And thank you to everyone that helped make the program a success as well as everyone that attended the final luau party.  We had a great time!!

But there is still plenty of summer left -- you can still come down to the library to check out our new Young Adult (YA) books.  We add dozens of new titles at least once a month.  Also, come down to check out our cool new "REEL BOOKS" display -- your guide to all of the books that are going to be made into movies over the next year -- books like "The Fault in Our Stars," "Catching Fire," "Divergent," "City of Bones," and more!!  You can check them out and read 'em before you go see the movie here at the Vicksburg District Library.   

 Lastly, just a reminder that weekly teen programming will resume on Tuesdays from 3-4pm on September 10 (the week after school begins)!  We have lots of fun things coming up this fall -- including a back to school trivia challenge, a Banned Books poster contest, a cook-off, and a Fear Factor eating challenge.  Come on down and hang out with us on Tuesday afternoons!

Also, we are always looking for teens to meet on the last Thursdays of every month from 3-4 to be a part of our Teen Advisory Board (TAB).  TAB gets to help plan programs, help pick out books and movies to add to the library's collection, and may be able to get credit for school volunteer hours.    

Any questions or comments?  Contact me, Beth -- the Teen Librarian -- at 649-1648 or at bdowson@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!

Teen Summer Reading Program at the Halfway Point

Summer is flying by here at the Vicksburg District Library!  The "Beneath the Surface" Teen Summer Reading Program has now reached the halfway point.  But it's not too late to sign up -- we still have plenty of great events coming up and there's still time to read 30 minutes per day to get FREE weekly prizes like free food at Applenockers, Subway, and Pizza Hut... or FREE fair tickets and FREE roller rink passes!

The summer reading program runs now through Saturday, July 27, at 5pm, and you are welcome to sign up until that last day and collect reading prizes.  Also -- we do still have tons of fun programs coming up that you can still register for!  We still have a fiction writers' workshop, a photo scavenger hunt, a Mythbusters Day, and a visit from the Kalamazoo Nature Center.  Come on down and check them out!

Lastly, a big THANK YOU to all of the guests and volunteers that have helped make the 2013 program a BLAST so far!  You can read about our epic summer reading program kick-off event -- The Zombie Prom -- in the last post -- and see some pictures.  We also have had a ton of fun making homemade Magic 8 Balls, gorging ourselves on snacks and drinks while watching "Warm Bodies," and competing in the "Fruit Ninjas" cooking challenge!  I have attached some pictures so you can see what a great time we've been having.  Don't wait any longer -- come on down and get signed up! 

Any questions or comments?  Contact me, Beth -- the Teen Librarian -- at 649-1648 or at bdowson@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!!


Our DIY Craft: Magic 8 Balls:

 




Our "Fruit Ninjas" Cooking Challenge:

Teen Summer Reading Program Under Way!

The "Beneath the Surface" Teen Summer Reading Program is now underway here at the Vicksburg District Library.  If you haven't signed up yet -- what are you waiting for?  All you have to do is read 30 minutes per day to get FREE weekly prizes like free food at Applenockers, Subway, and Pizza Hut... or how about FREE fair tickets?  FREE roller rink passes? 

The summer reading program runs now through Saturday, July 27, at 5pm, and you are free to sign up until that last day and collect your retroactive reading prizes.  Also -- we still have tons of fun programs coming up that you can still register for!  We still have a cooking challenge, a Mythbusters Day, a free big-screen showing of "Warm Bodies," and more.  Come on down and check them out!

Lastly, a big THANK YOU to all of the guests and volunteers that attended our kick-off Zombie Prom event on Tuesday night.  It was a BLAST and a great way to start the summer!  Our Prom King and Queen each won gift cards to Coldstone Creamery in Portage, as did the best dancer, the best dressed, and the winner of our zombie apocalypse challenge!  I have attached some pictures so you can see what a great time you can have if you come down to the Vicksburg District Library for summer reading!

Any questions or comments?  Contact me, Beth -- the Teen Librarian -- at 649-1648 or at bdowson@vicksburglibrary.org.  Hope to see you soon!! 

Summer Reading Program for Teens Starts in Less than a Week!

Hard to believe, but it's true -- the summer reading program for teens starts next Monday, June 10th!  Come down to the library to sign-up for the reading contest and to register for the programs that are coming up over the next 2 months.  We have some great things coming up! 

Live outside of Vicksburg and can't get a regular library card?  No worries!  We issue special library cards for summer reading -- so anyone can participate for free, no matter where you live!  All you have to do is read 30 minutes a day to compete in the contest and receive a FREE prize EVERY week.  You're also eligible for other bigger prizes at each event throughout the summer and some even BIGGER prizes at the end of the season party on Tuesday, July 30!  So, what are you waiting for?  Get down here and start reading and having fun!

Need something to do between all those minutes you're reading?  Here's a recap of what is coming up -- attend as many as you would like! 

Mon, June 10	10 am	Registration Opens for Summer Reading Game
Tues. June 11	6-8 pm	Zombie Prom – What lies beneath the surface?  Zombies!  Kick-off the Summer Reading Program for teens by dressing the part and coming to the library for an evening of dancing, refreshments, games, and contests!
Thurs. Jun. 20	3-4 pm	DIY: Magic 8 Balls – Everyone remembers the Magic 8 Ball – the “magic” water-based toy that dove deep and could answer any question it was asked.  Bring some creativity and come make your own at this craft program.
Mon. Jun. 24	1-2 pm	Fruit Ninjas – Do you have what it takes to not only follow a recipe, but to be able to tweak that recipe to fool our taste-testers?  Learn some delicious recipes and see if you can hide ingredients “beneath the surface.”
Mon. Jul. 1	3-5 pm	Snacks & Movie – Beat the heat and hang in the shade in the library’s basement.  Enjoy some snacks while we watch the zombie love story “Warm Bodies” on the big screen.
Thurs. Jul. 11	11-1 pm	Photo Scavenger Hunt – A crime has been committed in the library and we need your help to figure out what happened.  Dig deeper into the case by finding clues, taking pictures of evidence, and documenting that evidence for the police.
Mon. Jul. 15	2-3 pm	Writers’ Workshop – Calling writers of all levels!  Look beneath your surface by learning some tips and tricks of the trade.  Participants will receive a writers’ toolkit as well as an opportunity to write and share with the group.
Tues. Jul. 23	2-3 pm	MythBusters – Join us for the library’s take on the popular science-experiment based TV show.  Help us look deeper into popular urban myths to prove if they’re fact or myth once and for all – while we blow some things up along the way!
Wed. Jul. 24	1:30-2:30pm	Kalamazoo Nature Center – Learn about animals that live underground at a program put on by the Kalamazoo Nature Center for kids and teens.
Sat. Jul. 27	5 pm	Summer Reading Game Ends – All reading records must be turned in for counting. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Tues. Jul. 30	3-4 pm	End of Summer Reading Game Prize Party – Time to celebrate all the hard work and reading you did this summer!  We’re going to make the most of the warm weather we have left by having a luau!  Join us for tropical food and drinks, and for luau-themed games and prizes.

Registration is required for all events. You may visit the Library beginning at 10 am June 10 to sign up for these programs. 

Special Note:  Each program this year will have a limit on how many participants can sign up and attend.  Slots in each program will be given on a first come, first served basis.  Please register early for all of the programs you want to attend! 

Summer Library Cards are available to all participants of the summer reading game. Cards will remain active from June 10 until August 31. Up to 35 books can be checked out per card.