Teens Read for the Fun of It!

Teen Read Week (TRW) is officially celebrated the third week of October; October 13th to the 19th, 2013. TRW is a national youth literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. This year’s theme, “Seek the Unknown @ Your Library,” will be translated by librarians into programs, booklists, and displays.

Here is what is going on at the Mercer County Library:

Friday, October 11th – West Windsor Branch is kicking off TRW a little early by having a Teen Lock-in after the library closes.  Costumes are encouraged – think bling! or cosplay – but not required. Make candy sushi, play games, listen to glamtastic music, among other activities. Permission forms and registration are required.

Sunday, October 13th – Make a pencil case using duct tape at the Ewing Branch (registration not required).
Monday, October 14th – All branches are closed in observance of the Columbus Day holiday, so stop in your local branch over the weekend to pick up something to read!

Wednesday, October 16th – Make a mosaic lantern at the Hightstown Branch (registration required), or a key macramé craft at the Ewing Branch (registration not required). At Hopewell Branch, the Manga Club is having an Open M[us]ic Night (registration not required).

Thursday, October 17th – Head over to the Hickory Corner Branch to make duct tape bookmarks (registration required).

All week – Teens can pick up a Take Home Craft at the Ewing Branch, make a personalized “I Read…” button at the Lawrence Headquarters button-making station, or enter a writing contest (poetry, essay, or one-page short story) at the Twin Rivers Branch.

All month – Teens have an opportunity to try something new when they “Blind Date a Book” at the West Windsor Branch. Also at West Windsor, the Teen Take Home Craft for October is Edible Books.
And do not forget that voting for YALSA’s Teen’s Top Ten ends when TRW ends. The Teen’s Top Ten is a teen choice list – teens nominate and vote for their favorites. Twenty-eight titles are vying for one of those ten coveted spots! Teens may vote for up to three titles. Winners will be announced October 22nd.

-Carolyn A.