What NOT to do on your vacation

Do not hurry too much when heading off on your vacation. I was racing through my garage when I tripped and broke my foot. Now I get to clomp around in a big boot for 6 weeks while it heals. On a happier note, the library has graciously offered to credit me with sick leave so I can take my vacation at a better time. I may be slowing down for a few weeks, but I will still be on time for our TAB meeting March 29^th at 11:00am. See you then!

Spring

It’s a little cloudy today, but the sun will be out in full force before you know it! I’m really hoping the weather stays nice for my vacation next week. Between long naps and spending time with friends, I will be checking my email. Send me a note if you have any questions about upcoming events. Chris Ransick, Denver Poet Laureate, will be visiting our libraries soon. He will be offering a variety of programs for all ages. On Saturday 3/22 he will be discussing media and culture, a topic that you might be especially interested in. The presentation called “Poem Boy vs. The Media Gorgon,” includes the issues of violence and sexuality in the media, but the poet handles the issues appropriately within the context of his discussion.
Be sure to mark your calendars for our next TAB meeting on March 29th at 11:00am at the Main Library. We’ll be discussing the possibility of gaming at the library in the near future, so please come and share your thoughts. Newcomers are always welcome! -Shawna

One Book Success

I had a great time visiting schools with Aryn Kyle last week. I’m sure those of you that were able to attend one of her presentations would agree that she is a genuinely nice person with a great sense of humor, in addition to being an accomplished author. Almost 400 young adults participated in One Book, One Mesa County events this year! Yeah!! I would appreciate your ideas about what you would like to see included in our plans for the program next year. Also, be sure to thank your school librarians for helping get the word out about the contests and for all the Aryn Kyle presentations they helped with.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

It's almost time for turkey, but it seems like Halloween was only a few days ago. I had a great time at the CAL (Colorado Association of Libraries) conference in Denver last week. I even had a chance to visit with Emilie, the prior Teen Librarian. She is enjoying her new job, but misses everyone back here in Grand Junction. During the conference I attended some great workshops, including one about Anime. We watched a sampling of films with amazing artwork. To top it all off, one of my coworkers managed to get me a copy of “Book Crush” autographed by Nancy Pearl, librarian extraordinaire!
Now that CAL is over, I am concentrating on getting some new books ordered and planning for our TAB meeting on Saturday. Thanks to all of you that were able to come to our last meeting. I think we will be seeing at least a few new faces at our Saturday meeting. Next week I will be attending a planning meeting for our 2008 Summer Reading Program "Metamorphosis." Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions you would like for me to bring up during the discussion.
Hope you are all having a great week! I’ll see you tomorrow at 11:00 in the program area downstairs. I will bring the pizza!-Shawna

Happy Labor Day

Hello,

My thanks goes out to those of you that joined the millions of listeners yesterday who heard my radio interview on KAFM 88.1. The ratings soared and the phones rang off their hooks during my time on the air. Seriously though, it was great fun and allowed me an opportunity to talk about our department and all the things relevant to Teens in our library. Speaking of relevant things, here is an idea of what to look forward to at the Central library in the near future:

1. Customer Appreciation Day is September 7^th. Stop by and get some refreshments.
2. Join our Back to School Pizza Party at 2:30 on September 15^th. I will be giving away a pizza cookbook and cutter along with a backpack full of school supplies. The prizes will be on display after the holiday weekend.
3. Teen Read Week is October 14^th-20^th. The theme this year is “LOL.” I’ll post more information about it at a later date.

There are a lot of great things going on at our branch libraries right now. Check out the special activities for Tweens and Teens on Fridays at 3:00 at the Palisade library. Also, our Fruita Branch is starting up WAC (Wednesday afternoon club) next week. Teen Happy Hour is back on at the Orchard Mesa Branch. Stop in after school and check out the fun.

I hope to see some familiar faces while touring school libraries during September. Please let me know if you have any comments about the Summer Reading Program. I am going to a meeting next week to discuss how things went and what we would like to do next year.

That wraps it up for now. Don't forget that the library is closed until Tuesday. I am only 1 hour away from the beginning of a fantastic labor-free Labor Day Weekend! Hope you all have a nice break as well. –Shawna

Prizes and Parties

Hello All,
I have a few announcements to share. The July tour was so much fun I have decided to have another one in August. Once again we'll be going behind the scenes to visit the various centers in our library and the surrounding buildings. We'll meet on August 13th at 4:00 in the computer lab. After the tour we'll stop in the break room for refreshments. Unless someone objects, I think we'll go for doughnuts this time. Call 683-2419 or 683-2427 to reserve a spot.
Feeling artistic? Enter our poster contest for Library Card Sign Up Month. We are looking for a creative and original poster that shows what the library means to you. Pick up a registration form at the library or call 683-2435 for the details. The winning poster will be professionally printed with our logo and the artist's name and displayed during September.
We will have a back to school get together on September 15th. I'm in the early stages of planning, so let me know if there is anything special you would like to include. Food? Games? Prizes?
Oh, and don't forget that Friday is the last day to turn in your reading logs for the Summer reading game.
-Shawna

On the Job

Hello Everyone!
I am Shawna Bird, the new librarian for the Teen Department. I have been working at the front desk and the computer area of the library since last October. I have only been at this job for a few weeks, but it has gone by in a blur of business since the position was unmanned for quite a while. In addition to planning our booth for Grand Junction's 125th Anniversary Celebration, I have been digging through boxes and getting things organized. All the craft remnants left from last year's activities have been inspiring me with ideas for new projects. I have uncovered all kinds of goodies from hair jell to picture frames. We definitely have a fun time ahead of us!
I would greatly appreciate the chance to hear your thoughts for activities and the items in our collection. Tell me what you like and what you think we need to work on. I will always be open to new ideas, so feel free to email, call, or talk with me personally anytime.
I appreciate your patience as I continue to get organized and put a plan together for everything I want to get done. Here is a list of things to keep in mind:
* TAB (Teen Advisory Board)- We'll be getting back on track soon and looking for more leaders.
* Monday July 16th at 4:00 I will be giving Teens a chance to go behind the scenes for a tour of the library and our surrounding buildings. We'll meet in the computer lab. Make sure you call soon to reserve your spot, 683-2419 or 683-2427.
* Wednesday July 18th we will be showing the movie Holes in the public programming area at 2:30.
* Wednesday July 25th come and join me at 2:30 for Pictionary and food!
-Shawna
sbird@mcpld.org
683-2457 (I have had a little trouble with the phone, but they tell me it will be fixed soon.)