Teen Summer Reading Program

Columbus area teens are invited to a “Creature Feature” by participating in the Columbus Public Library’s teen summer library program. Young adults (middle school and high school) are invited to come to the library and participate in the special events we’ve planned.

The dates chosen: June 10, June 24, July 15 & July 22 @ 2pm.---all events are on Saturday. We’ve put together quite an ambitious program. Showing a movie (complete with snacks and a cool drink), scavenger hunt, book discussions, and fun presentations on Wild Animals to tie in with our theme of “Creature Feature”.

Actually, after the initial meeting on Saturday June 10th, it is my hope and expectation that the participants will take over the planning, activities, programs and book selections for this teen summer program. Columbus Public Library will provide the place to meet, any books or extras needed for the success of this venture, but I feel very strongly that the participants should take ownership of the program. Ultimately taking possession translates into pride in the program and pride in the library. This pride has a direct influence on teen usage of the library and teen behavior in the library.

The library collection can be improved as a direct result of the teen summer library program. We’ve created the “Creature Feature Teen Book Review”. This is an excellent way to find some great new titles or series that might have escaped the Library’s attention. The teen volunteers have made many wonderful suggestions and ideas to help the kids make this event a huge success.

One of the sources that I use to order and recommend titles for high school students has been the School Library Journal. It has a very enlightening section called “Adult Books for High School Students.” The reviews are very dependable. When you must rely on outside sources, it just isn’t done any better than the School Library Journal. For series information, go to the Bettendorf Public Library’s Teen Web Site at www.bettendorflibrary.com/teen/index.htm. There is a searchable database of teen book series and sequels.
When you’re searching for themed books in the young adult range, try Waterboro Public Library’s Web site at www.waterborolibrary.org/bklisty.htm#yaif and the Teen Cyber Center from the Haverhill Public Library in Haverhill, MA, at www.teencybercenter.org Both of these libraries offer a nice selection of themed booklist.

Encourage your teenager to attend the June 10th program to see if “Creature Feature” will whet his appetite for reading and later library-sponsored events.

While it’s not a “teen program” per se, “Mark Twain on the Lecture Circuit” will be held on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM on June 25th . It’s an event not to be missed! Sponsored by the newly formed “Friends of the Columbus Public Library” and the Nebraska Humanities Council, this re-enactment will feature Wally Seiler, an Alliance banker who will portray one of out nation’s favorite literary characters, Samuel Clemens or Mark Twain. As Twain, Seiler will regale the listener with wonderful stories of his time on the lecture circuit in the late 1880’s. This program will be held in the Library’s Art Gallery in the lower level. Mark your calendars.