LOST IN SPACE (& IRON MAN)
I have been lax in my duties to this blog in the last week, but not without good reason, I can assure you. Well, a kind of good reason anyway -- I've been quite busy and often not at the library at all! Let me take a minute to catch you up.
Starting with Monday -- this was fly around day full of preparation and regrouping from the weekend and hours on the reference desk. May not sound like much, but it kept me quite busy.
Tuesday I came in around 8 to finished prepping for my morning visit to Potter Road Elementary School, where I spent a few hours visiting grades K-4 to explain the summer reading program -- in Portuguese. It was quite a day -- very energetic -- we even had a fire drill while I was there!
Then I returned to the library and finished prepping for ...
Wednesday! I was invited to participate in a panel at the Massachusetts Library Association Conference (yes, librarians convene in large numbers in a single place to mingle and learn how to become better librarians) and discuss how libraries can use IM to give their customers better service. It was a good time. (So, don't forget to find me on IM once in a while.)
And then this afternoon, Thursday, I was at the high school with my readers group. Good luck to all of them with their AP exams!
So that's the rundown for the week. Highly interesting, I know. I hope that on Saturday I can list out a couple of the books I've been reading.

Oh, btw -- have you seen Iron Man yet? I went to see it last Saturday. For an origins movie, considering all the origins movies there have been in the last few years, I found it surprisingly (or not surprisingly, depending on how you look at it) good. I laughed, I was impressed -- I think I even gasped once or twice. I'm already looking forward to #2 -- scheduled for April 30, 2010. If you haven't seen it and like the Iron Man and/or Marvel comics, I say Go See It! (And maybe see it again.)

Labels: calendar, movies

~emily - 6:01 PM~
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SUPER ANIME DAY

Labels: anime, calendar, graphic novels, manga, movies, programs, television

~emily - 9:52 AM~
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FOOD FOR FINES!
Check this out -- during the month of December, if you have books or movies or CDs or magazines that are overdue but you hesitate to bring back to the library because of overdue fines, you don't have to worry about it!
During December, bring back your overdue library materials + a non-perishable food item* for a local food pantry, and see your fines disappear.
It's that easy!

(*canned veggies, soups, canned fruits, pasta, peanut butter -- just make sure that the food isn't expired, damaged, or in a glass container)

Labels: calendar

~emily - 9:17 AM~
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NEWSBITS FROM THE LIBRARY FRONT
...The garage is still being repaved, so parking is still completely on the street.
...Today we're having our first NaNoWriMo write-in. We'll have a few basic snacks, but you can bring other snacks to share, if you'd like.
...We have a few new books in today, including The Wall by Peter Sis, If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko (who wrote Al Capone Does My Shirts), and Slam by Nick Hornby.
I've linked all of these to the catalog, where you can find out if they're available, see pictures of the covers, add your reviews, and request them.

Don't forget to join us Thursday afternoons at the high school library after school!

Labels: calendar, library news, new books, programs, writing

~emily - 9:32 AM~
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GETTING MORE INFO
Some of you have found the FPL Teen Group on FaceBook -- if you haven't joined yet, I invite you to do so -- it's one of the best ways to keep in touch with what's going on (write-ins, manga clubs, and more). Also, the teen librarian (that's me!) is now also available via gtalk -- fplteenlib@gmail.com, as well as being available via AIM: fplteenlib and MSN Chat: fplteenlib@hotmail.com (see the left). Link up to ask questions about homework assignments, club activities, and other such things.
Don't forget to come pick up spooky reading material from the display today. All kinds of books on vampires and werewolves and witches and more are out and ready for you to read!

Labels: calendar, displays, friends

~emily - 9:10 AM~
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MARK. SET. WRITE.
I'm going to hammer this pretty frequently for the next few weeks -- I want to make sure that any teen writers out there get the message.
We're making November writing month in the YA area, in honor of National Novel Writing Month. We're having two writing workshops at the public library (Nov 6 & 27 @ 4.30pm) , and all teens are welcome whether you're writing for NaNoWriMo or not -- if you like to write, come!
Also, for interest's sake, there is a new display in the YA area on writing and writers -- books like Moe's Cafe: 48 Decidedly Different Creative Writing Projects,
Confessions of a High School Word Nerd,
Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy,
Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly,
and Inventing the Truth: The Art & Craft of Memoir
-- plus bios and autobios on Roald Dahl, Orson Scott Card, Joan Lowry Nixon, Sandra Cisneros, Gary Paulsen, and more!
(And yes, I know it's not November yet, but it never hurts to get an early start -- especially if you're participating in NaNoWriMo!)
By the way -- there will also be at least 1 writing workshop at the high school library in November, also.

Labels: booklists, calendar, writing

~emily - 12:14 PM~
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NANOWRIMO
It's not November yet, but this is the kind of thing that's good to get a jumpstart on -- I just registered for NaNoWriMo! Any of you considering writing that novel, this is the best time to start thinking about it. Register soon and be sure to come to our writing workshops in November! Now, if I could only come up with a premise....

Labels: calendar, programs, writing

~emily - 7:16 PM~
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TEEN READ WEEK!
It's Teen Read Week this week -- and the theme is LOL @ Your Library -- and there are lots of things to do this week!

First of all, be sure to vote for the Teen Top Teen books this week -- join with thousands of teens across the country to choose this year's best, and then tune in in November to see the results.

Second, come to the library to check out one of the many FUNNY books we have on display! (Yes, believe it or not -- some books in the library will make you LOL!)

Third, participate in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge -- or at least pick up a WWE poster (there are a few available on display).

Fourth, join us for our manga club on Tuesday afternoon.

Fifth, win a Nintendo Wii™ for your classroom or library or an iPod just for you! Visit Mirrorstone for details!

And, voice your opinions in the SmartGirl Teen Read Week survey!

There's so much to do and so much going on -- hope to see you this week!

Labels: books for boys, books for girls, calendar, friends, manga, poll

~emily - 11:02 AM~
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ANNOUNCING TEEN READ WEEK
I know it's a little early, but I want to make sure that everyone gets a jump on Teen Read Week next week -- LOL @ Your Library! Come to the library next week (or this week) and check out our display of funny books, download the WrestleMania screensaver and join the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, check out the Teens' Top Ten nominations and then (only next week) vote for your favourites for the Teens' Top Ten!
We'll also be having our Manga Club next Tuesday -- and this coming Saturday is our Pizza Saturday for the Teen Advisory Group! Hope to see you here soon!

Labels: calendar, poll

~emily - 6:49 PM~
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LOCAL HORROR AUTHOR VISIT!
Amelia Atwater-Rhodes will be at the Framingham B&N one week from today to sign copies of her new book Wyvernhail, The Kiesha'ra: Volume Five. Check it out at 7.30 on October 12 at Barnes & Noble (508-628-5567).
We've got lots of her books at the library, too, so if you want to catch up on the series, check here first!
'Tis the season!

Labels: author news, book news, calendar

~emily - 1:35 PM~
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THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE HIGH SCHOOL
As seen above, the public library and the high school (Framingham, both) will be teaming up on Thursdays throughout the school year to bring you thoroughly exciting afternoons in the high school library! Our first group will be October 4 after school -- the topic is Banned Books -- do you have any idea how many books are banned? It's amazing! Come find out which of your favourite titles have been banned and challenged and find another to read.
And Biblionix folk -- don't worry -- we'll still be holding our readers group!

Labels: books for boys, books for girls, calendar, school

~emily - 10:22 AM~
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SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOL DAYS
There's a new display in the fiction section -- books with school as a major theme. For those of you in the throes of starting school again, you may not think you'd be interested in reading about school, too. However, these books may give you helpful solutions on surviving another year! Come check it out.

I've also finished the October calendar. You can look at it or pick up a copy in the YA area. There are a few important things to note, including the Teen Advisory Group meeting on Oct 13 and the Library Manga Club meeting on Oct 16. Check the website and the calendar for more information.

Labels: calendar, manga, school

~emily - 12:19 PM~
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THE DAWNING OF ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR

I apologize for the reduced quantity of posts lately -- it's the end of summer rush here at the library and things have been busy! Plus, I'm getting ready to be gone for a week, and that adds tasks to the days.

An official welcome back to school, all you school-goers! If you haven't yet taken the opportunity to finish your summer reading, the books are still available. And for those of you who haven't turned in your reading forms, you can do so through Friday to be eligible for the prize drawing (which will be Sept 12).

And while we're on the subject of school, here's a new book that just came in: Ethan, Suspended by Pamela Ehrenberg -- After Ethan is suspended from school, he's uprooted from his suburban life in PA and sent to DC to live with his frugal, overprotective grandparents. Struggling with feelings of guilt (over his suspension), anxiety (over his parents' separation), and loneliness (no friends!), he attends a school where he definitely doesn't fit in -- he's the only white student around, and he needs to adjust ... fast.
Come to the library, pick up the book -- or one of the other hundreds of books we have for your reading enjoyment!

Labels: calendar, new books, school

~emily - 9:29 AM~
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HARRY POTTER LIVE CHAT
JK Rowling is going to do a live chat on Monday morning (9-10am EST). Visit this page to submit your questions in advance.

You can also watch her reading from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (almost 20 minutes worth) at the National History Museum in London.

Enjoy!

Labels: calendar, fantasy books, harry potter, links

~emily - 2:03 PM~
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STEPHENIE MEYER IN MASS
I believe I blogged this some time past, but the information has recently changed, and I wanted to make you aware of it. Stephenie Meyer will be at the Barnes and Noble at 98 Middlesex Pkwy, Burlington, MA 01803 on September 11 at 7pm.
Previously she was going to be at the Framingham B&N. I hope you can still go!

And don't forget that Eclipse comes out on August 7! Request it here.

Labels: calendar, reserve

~emily - 2:46 PM~
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MANGA CLUB & OTHER STUFF
Next Tuesday, July 3, is our next Manga Club meeting -- I've been requested to hold it twice monthly, so this will be the first for July -- come, bring friends, and have fun! (I even promise to have some snacks.)
Also next Tuesday, since it's the day before the big American holiday, the library will be closing early -- at 5.30 -- and will remain closed for all of July 4, as well.

I had hoped to blog something totally fabulous today -- like news that Siberian tigers are making a comeback (they really are) or that you could track the books checked out from your library from your desktop (you can, if you own a Mac) or that Stephenie Meyer is going to be in Framingham doing a book signing for her new Eclipse (she is -- she is! -- Tues Sept 11), but unfortunately, I don't really have time....

Labels: calendar, manga

~emily - 3:34 PM~
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CALENDARS & FURNITURE
Good news! The Friends of the Library approved a new furniture purchase for the YA area -- be looking for it soon -- not that you'll be able to miss it.... (Thank you, Friends!) I'm absolutely looking forward to all the new displays I can create!

Also, I've just printed up actual calendars of upcoming events. The calendars for June and July are posted on the bulletin board in the YA area and on my office door. They'll be coming monthly to keep you ever-informed about what's going on at the library! (Of course, this blog and the library website do a pretty good job of that, too, but a little extra never hurts.)

Labels: calendar, friends, furniture

~emily - 3:41 PM~
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