Getting Into The College Of Your Choice - And Paying For It

We've got some really helpful workshops coming up to help you ace the ACT and fill out those complicated FAFSA forms for college financial aid.

There can be so much pressure on you when you take a test like the ACT. Maybe you're a person who hates taking tests to begin with. Maybe you've got other homework or activities going on around the same time - how do you fit it all in? It can really help to know what the ACT is like, so we have two upcoming sessions on how to prepare for the ACT and you can even sign up for a practice ACT here. Sometimes just taking the element of surprise out of something can make it much easier to be up for the challenge, so why not register for one or both of these programs?

Preparing for the ACT (offered twice - you need only attend once)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011  7-8 PM (use link to register)
Saturday, January 8, 2011  10 - 11 AM (use link to register)

ACT Practice Test & Strategy Workshop (two-part program, you must attend both sessions)
Saturday, January 29 and Saturday, February 5, 2011, 9 AM - 1:30 PM (use link to register)

Paying for college is never easy but in these bad economic times, it can seem impossible. If you qualify for financial aid, you don't want to miss out and correctly filling out the FAFSA form is extremely important. 
Get expert help from College Illinois at our free workshop - bring your family's tax information to help you complete the form.

Student Aid FAFSA Completion workshop
Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 10 AM - Noon (use link to register)

You've relied on the library for homework help for years - now let us help you get you into the college or university that's at the top of your list.

Teen Sites

Looking for something to do when it's cold outside? Try surfing...go to the teen home page and click on Stuff to Watch or Stuff to Listen to! Looking for more? Check out these web sites just for teens.

Reading:
TeenReads
Genrefluent - TeenTalk
NoFlyingNoTights
TeenInk

Sports & Fitness:
SheLovesSports
TeenGrowth

Jobs:
SnagAJob
CoolWorks
USAJobs.gov - StudentJobs

Volunteering:
DoSomething
DPPL.org - Volunteer at the library

News:
ReadTheTattoo

Advice:
TeenCentral

More Cool Sites:
HowStuffWorks
Student.com
InternetPublicLibrary - for Teens

Are You in Band, Orchestra or Choir?

Are you in band, orchestra or choir? And if so, what compositions are you working on?

You can find some of those compositions on CD here at the library. For example, we own several recordings of Stille Nacht, which will conclude Maine West's Prism Concerts on Sunday, December 12th. (How do I know this? The Maine West Principal's Page.) Who knew Mannheim Steamroller recorded it? Want a more traditional version? We have over 20 other recordings to choose from.

Did you play Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in orchestra and do you now want to go deeper into the soul of Wolfgang Amadeus? We recently acquired the complete Symphonies conducted by Karl Bohm and performed by the Berlin Philharmonic. We also have many CDs like Essential Mozart: 32 of His Greatest Masterpieces, which allow listeners to get a sampling of his works for orchestra, piano, voice, etc.

Whether you want to listen to works you're performing in band or to explore a favorite composer in depth, the library's a great place to start.

And please share what you're playing in your ensemble, strings class or private lessons in the comments section. Inquiring minds want to know! And this inquiring mind will then check to see if we own one or more recordings of the works.

(Note: the above photograph is from the Maine West Orchestras Facebook page. To view the Fine Arts Event Schedule for Maine West, click here.)

Who Wants to Be a Know-It-All?

Nobody likes the sassy "know-it-all", but knowing it all does feel good, doesn't it? Feeling smart. Empowered. Holding your own in a discussion. Getting to this stage takes work but there are some wonderful tools that are faster and better than googling. I'm all for Google and Wikipedia but meet your new friend "Opposing Viewpoints".

First an anecdote. A high schooler in my life and his parent were discussing what subject to choose for a school debate assignment. A list of pros and cons for the debate had to be listed and ultimately a side needed to be chosen. The parent/student interaction was great but they were struggling with the perfect topic and support material. They didn't even think to use the library. :(

The Opposing Viewpoints database and print books can get you to the know-it-all stage directly. Click on Opposing Viewpoints in Context from the library's research database page and there you can see lists of issues in lots of categories. Keep clicking through and the best articles about a subject are neatly organized. The print books from this publisher are on the fourth floor shelves.

I've never reached the expert stage but I'm hoping it is never too late!

Examples:

Off Shore Drilling

Advertising

Censorship

Mockingjay is here! What else is new?

If you're looking for the latest read, we've got:

but we've also got:

If you see something you like,

• click on it
• put it on hold
• pick it up

--we'll call or email you to let you know when it's in.

To check out what else is new in CDs and DVDs, try our One Click Searches.

Hey! What Happened To My Book Review?

Just a quick fyi. We recently changed our teen Web site around a little. One thing you might notice is missing: the "Express Yourself" link. This was a place where you could write book reviews and put them on our Web site. We also had big plans for this being a place where you could share your writing and other artsy endeavors. We aren't eliminating this possibility, we're just going with a new approach. It's called Bibliocommons.

Bibliocommons is the name of a new catalog we'll be getting in a few months. What is Bibliocommons? Well, you know the catalog we have now, where you go to look up books and movies? Imagine that, combined with Amazon and even a little bit of Facebook and you've got an idea. You'll be able to look up library items on Bibliocommons, place holds on them, see what you've got checked out, renew items, etc. All the usual stuff. What makes it fun is that you can also sign up for a user account, and while you're signed in you can write reviews, tag and rate items, create lists that you recommend to other users, even follow other users who have similar interests. Bibliocommons is easy to search and a lot more fun than a regular library catalog because it does all these other cool things. Keep your eyes open for Bibliocommons on our Web site - we hope it's coming soon.

Congratulations Teen Summer Reading Club Participants!

Congratulations to the 58 teens who read at least 5 books or for at least 25 hours in the Teen Summer Reading Club, which ended August 1st, and to all who signed up and made reading a part of their summers.

Congratulations also to middle-schooler Bookfan101 and high-schooler roma bella, who will receive $20 gift cards for their prize-winning entries/reviews.

As some of you may have discovered, writing about books isn't always easy, particularly explaining WHY you liked or disliked a particular book. (On the entry form you were asked not only to rate the book from 1 to 5, but to answer: "Why did you give it that rating? What did you think of the book.")

Bookfan101, in her review of The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, impressed with, among other qualities, her ability to convey why she liked the book, as well as her insight into character. "I loved this book because of the writing style, emotions you feel when you read the book, and the fact that you can view things from each characters point-of-view." Also impressive was her insight into the book's main character. She writes: "[S]he realizes how her actions could either hurt or help her future and the fact that music, something she gave up so long ago, could help her connect with people around her."

Roma bella reviewed Tom Brokaw's nonfiction title, The Greatest Generation, with grace and style, praising this book that "tells the stories of different men and women who lived and fought in WWII," people "who despite many hardships in their lives, they still went on to do great things for our country."

Thanks to all the rest of you participated in Teen Summer Reading Club, and who took the time to write thoughtful, interesting entries that made selecting only two winners difficult. You can read many of these entries in the "Comments" sections of the last few blog posts. They're a great resource to learn of books you might enjoy, written not by librarians or other adults, but by other teens.

Three teens deserve a special shout-out for reading more than 20 books--for catching the spirit of Teen Summer Reading Club.

Jemma
Library
vwong124

Finally, we hope you'll continue to make reading for pleasure--for the pure enjoyment you experience when you've found just the right book--a part of your daily lives year round.

Countdown to the End of Greenapalooza...

Only 9 more days...

The Teen Summer Reading Club is drawing to a close. Register and post your book review entries by Sunday, August 1st to WIN!

Here's a final rundown of what you need to know and do:

• Read 5 books or complete 25 hours of reading.
• Click on the links at the top of this blog to register (just once) and to post your book review entries.
• When you're finished, come on up to the 3rd floor desk to claim your prizes:

1. $5 gift certificate to Borders or Barnes & Noble
2. GameWorks 1/2 hour play card
3. A chance to win a $20 gift certificate for the best book review entries

Still looking for books to read to finish up your high school summer reading assignments? Click on the Comments at the end of this post to check out reviews of some of the books on your summer reading lists. They were written by other Summer Reading Club members just like you!

The 5/25 Reading Club Comes Alive!!

166 Readers

x

152 Reviews

=

A Great Start to Summer Reading!!

Summer didn't officially begin until Monday, June 21st, but our Teen Summer Reading Club began with a bang on Saturday, June 5th. So far, 166 of you have signed up for the Teen Summer Reading Club, also known as the 5/25 Reading Club since each participant who finishes five books or reads for 25 hours receives a $5 Borders or Barnes and Noble gift card AND a 1/2 hour GameWorks play card.

If you're looking for reading suggestions, be sure to click on Comments at the bottom of this post, where you'll find reviews by other Teen Summer Reading Club members. Want even more reviews? Click here, where we've posted 107 of your reviews. Yes, that's right, 107! We've received so many reviews that from this point on we'll post a selection of the reviews rather than every single one so you're not overwhelmed (and so our fingers remain intact)! But keep those reviews coming! They're wonderful and a great resource for teens looking for their next book! And remember, $20 gift cards will be awarded for the best book review by a middle school student and the best by a high school student.

Just a couple reminders:

If you never created a username or you've forgotten your username, stop by the Readers' Services desk on the 3rd floor and we'll add one to the registration form or look it up for you.

You may have noticed that we added the words, "SPOILER ALERT" at the top of some of your reviews. This is to warn readers that the review reveals the ending of the story or some other important part of the story that potential readers might not want to know before reading the book. If you're reviewing a mystery, it's best not to reveal the ending, since most readers like to discover that when they read the book. (That said, keep those mystery reviews coming! We're really enjoying them!)

Finally, if you haven't registered for summer reading yet, it's not too late! You'll find the online registration form and the online entry form at the top of the Blog of Awesome for the rest of the summer. (You only have to register once.)

Happy reading and keep up the great work!!

Greenapalooza!!

Des Plaines Public Library
Teen Summer Reading
June 5-August 1, 2010

Join the 5/25 Reading Club and read for fun and prizes this summer!

Read 5 books or read for 25 hours and get a $5 gift card to Borders or Barnes & Noble plus a GameWorks 1/2 hour play card.

$20 gift cards will also be awarded for the best book review by a 7th-8th grader and the best by a 9th-12th grader.

It's simple to win!
Fill out the registration form below to get started...

(You only need to fill out the registration form once.)

(DON'T FORGET TO CLICK 'Submit')

As you read this summer, log on here and fill out an entry form to rate each book.
Remember -- best entry wins a $20 gift card!

(DON'T FORGET TO CLICK 'Submit')

Sponsored by the Friends of the
Des Plaines Public Library

Click on COMMENTS below to read book reviews by other Teen Summer Reading Club members!

GREENAPALOOZA

You are hereby cordially invited to have fun at the library all summer long. So put away that wool coat and find your flip flops. It's time for Greenapalooza!

Greenapalooza is about books, comedy, crafts, music, movies, prizes, pizza, pop, park passes and The Prince of Persia.

The book part is the Teen Summer Reading Club for teens in 7th to 12th grade. For our "5/25/$5" club , all you need to do is read 5 books or read for 25 hours, and you will soon be the proud owner of a $5 gift card for Barnes & Noble or Borders. Register online at http://dpplawesome.blogspot.com

For the writers among you, there's a contest for best book review or related entry. Prizes are $20 gift cards to Barnes & Noble or Borders, one for entries in the 7th-8th grade range, and one for high schoolers.

The non-book part, well....

We kick off the summer on Friday night June 11 with Battle of the Bands. Sign up for one of the six available slots and compete for a $200 cash prize. Bring your friends to root you on. There's going to be a glorious mess of pizza and reduced-price park passes and pop and music, baby, music.

On Wednesday afternoon June 16, we'll see you at Paint It and Pot It. Master gardener Linda Knorr teaches us how to have fun in the dirt. First, paint the pot and then pot a plant. Materials will be provided but you can bring your own extra bling for your pot. More prizes! More food!

On Friday night July 9, we put out the clarion call for all storytellers, poets, actors and stand-up comics. Open Mike & Pepperoni provides 7-minute slots for you, a microphone and words. Express yourself, then hit the pizza. All participants get prizes. All teens get pizza, so lure your friends to come and hear you with bait made of cheese!

On Friday night July 16, improve your gaming skills with the new Prince of Persia wii game. Who knows - Jake Gyllenhaal might show up. But if he doesn't, there's always free food and pop.

Last but certainly not least, we'll see you on Friday night, July 23 for an encounter of a blue kind. It's Avatar - the biggest blockbuster of them all. Watch the flick with friends and yeah, yeah, yeah - you know the part about the food.

Participants for all events must be teens. Spectators for all events can be any old age they want.

A special thanks to The Friends of the Library and the Des Plaines Park District who have donated all prizes.

Coming soon to a library near you...

These popular High School Fiction titles are on their way here, to the Des Plaines Public Library.

Click on the title to place a hold, so you can check 'em out in time for Summer Reading!

ENDLESS SUMMER
Jennifer Echols

BLOCKADE BILLY
Stephen King

SPIRIT BOUND : VAMPIRE ACADEMY, BOOK 5
Richelle Mead

THE SHORT SECOND LIFE OF BREE TANNER :
AN ECLIPSE NOVELLA
Stephenie Meyer

LOVE BITES : VAMPIRE KISSES, BOOK 7
Ellen Schreiber

WANTED
Sara Shepard

MY SOUL TO KEEP
Rachel Vincent

Do You Rock?

As part of Greenapalooza, our 2010 Teen Summer Reading Club, we are hosting a Battle of the Bands. We are looking for local teen musicians, singers and bands to perform in the plaza in front of the library on Friday June 11th, from 6 to 9 pm. The performer that ranks the highest with the audience will receive a cash prize. We are limiting it to the first six performers that get signed up, so let us know soon if you are interested.

Even if you are not performing come by and listen to some music. We'll have some snacks and you can vote for the artist you think rocked.

If you want to perform, contact David Whittingham at the Des Plaines Public Library at (847)376.2809 or email dwhittingham@dppl.org.

txt us

We have a feeling you like to text your friends, and, well, you think of us as friends, right? (long, awkward silence...)

Anyway, a few months ago Cathy told you we were going to offer a "Text a Librarian" service and it arrived in February. People seem to like it and we think it's pretty cool. How it works:

Send the txt msg to 66746.
The FIRST TIME YOU send us a txt, type the letters dppl at the beginning of your question.  
You only have to do that the first time.
Type in your question and send.
We'll answer if it's during regular business hours. If we're closed, you'll get an automated msg telling you we'll write you back when we reopen.

Pretty simple and pretty convenient. Try it out - it doesn't have to be an academic question. People have texted us for phone numbers for a pizza place or a store, hours for the Drivers' License facility - practical stuff. It's probably faster to text us than to search the Web on your phone!

So remember : 66746 + dppl = Text a Librarian

Next Teen Advisory Board meeting, Thursday, April 22, 2010

And why would you want to be there?

Teenagers in grades 7 through 12 are more than welcome. But what does TAB do? Well, TAB members help the library plan programs and suggest books and music that other teens would be interested in. Our TAB members picked the design and colors of the Teen Lounge neon sign, as well as decided on the color for the room and made the bulletin board that hangs in there. They made ornaments for the Lake Wonderland Winter Festival, decided on prizes and a theme for the Summer Reading Club, volunteered for events like the Harry Potter release party and because of all their hard work they received the Des Plaines Super Star Volunteer Award.

So, if you've got something to say about library programs, library books and videos, or any other ideas you want to share with us, come to a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) meeting. You may be able to get service credits for participating and you can help us do a better job at providing services and materials for teens. You do not have to register or sign up to be on the Teen Advisory Board - just show up at a meeting. There are always snacky foods and drinks and you can make new friends. So, see you on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 4 PM in the Teen Lounge - that's on the third floor. Just ask someone at the desk and they'll point you in the right direction.

Free cookies and coffee!

If that sounds good to you,

read on to see what else we have in store...


Wednesday, April 14 from 6 to 8 PM, Chicago author James Kennedy , who wrote The Order of Odd-Fish, will hold a Dome of Doom writing workshop at Sweet Remembrance right here in Des Plaines, near the Choo Choo Restaurant! It's at 614 Lee Street -- click on the address to check out a map.

Kennedy will perform a wild scene from his book. Then it's your turn! You can make up wacky characters, dress in costume, and even pair up to perform your own writing.

No experience necessary! And who knows, your English teacher might give you extra credit for participating!

To check this out, register online (click here, then follow the directions), or call 847-376-2788, or go to the 1st floor Information Desk.

Don't forget to bring your copy of The Order of Odd-Fish ... or buy one there ... and get it autographed.

If you haven't read the book yet, here's what a couple of teen-aged book lovers had to say about James Kennedy's The Order of Odd-Fish:

"This is a totally weird book. If you like fantasy that is completely crazy you will like this book. . . Eldritch City, itself, is a strange and wonderful place . . . Jo is truly dangerous and you really want to read the book to find out why.” —Cougar Book Corner

“Adventure, mystery, and tons of crazy . . . I really had a good time with this book, like a breath of crazy air, if you want something fun. This will be a good choice.” —Binge On Books

Here's a recap...Wednesday, April 14 6-8 PM at Sweet Remembrance there will be:

• James Kennedy

• The Order of Odd-Fish

• fantasy

• weirdness

• costumes

• a chance to work with a cool author and act out zany scenes

• discounts on fancy drinks and pastries at a new cafe

and if that isn't enough fun already ...

• free cookies and coffee!
  
  
  

the new blog of AWESOME is coming soon...

Wait for it....wait for it...and go to the old one in the meantime.