Secret Life of Bees Teen Event

To celebrate The Secret Life of Bees, teens enjoyed delicious, freshly homemade baklava baked by an Egyptian aide, then crafted candle holders and beeswax candles, & won promotional prizes provided by Teen Services.

What did you like about the program?
"Using the hot glue gun" - Jonathan
"Those little honey things were good!" - Rick

Comments:
"It was all fun and interesting, and all the food they gave was generous for you guys to give." - Jasmine
"I like the whole activity. I thought it was awesome doing it." - Alondra
"Very interesting programs" - Juan
"Cool" - Breanna

Suggestions:
"I think you should make puppets next time for little kids. OK?" - Jose
"I think you should put some Play-Doh to play with. (Any color is the best.) - Bryan

In the first couple weeks of August, our young patrons enjoyed gaming, Science Experiment Day (hosted by teen volunteers), and a discussion with La Puente author, J. R. Gonzalez. This evening, teens met for gaming, to participate in the Uglies book club --- courtesy of Teen Services --- and for story time volunteerism (What can't we do with pipe cleaners? See video blog @ myspace.com/lapuentelibrary).

One of our favorite teen volunteers, Wendy Villalobos, is spotlighted in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune today! She tells of volunteering to assist with story time crafts and the grant that she helped to write/win for the La Puente Library.

SRP Continues @ La Puente Library (Isn't it Fall, Yet?)

In the first couple weeks of August, our young patrons enjoyed gaming, Science Experiment Day (hosted by teen volunteers), and a discussion with La Puente author, J. R. Gonzalez. This evening, teens met for gaming, to participate in the Uglies book club --- courtesy of Teen Services --- and for story time volunteerism (What can't we do with pipe cleaners? See video blog @ myspace.com/lapuentelibrary).

One of our favorite teen volunteers, Wendy Villalobos, is spotlighted in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune today! She tells of volunteering to assist with story time crafts and the grant that she helped to write/win for the La Puente Library.

SRP in Progress

Presenters at the La Puente Library thus far this summer have included comedian/voice actor/La Puente native, Jeff Garcia (of Happy Feet); Pasadena-based tween author, Lisa Yee; chef & La Puente native, Chef Yo; local artist, Roxana Ocana; storyteller, Michael McCarty (an Ezra Jack Keats Foundation grant); The Wildlife Company; The Cartoon Drawshop; magician, Allen Oshiro; and Ina Buckner-Barnette/Chazz Ross (drums/storytelling).

We have also:
Enjoyed a donation of new board games from Barnes & Noble,
Loved the grant-funded family video gaming in our meeting room, featuring a Wii, Xbox 360, SmartCycle, and Leapster,
Adored the Project Morph kit & Flip camera from Teen Services, and
Created how-to shorts, including How To Volunteer @ the La Puente Library! View these in our blog @ myspace.com/lapuentelibrary.
Evaluations
Of Twilight book club (Teen Services book club in a box):
"Really Cool." - Denise S., 7th gr.
Of Project Morph:
"Cool." Renee T., 6th gr.
"It is pretty good. A little bit more choices for T-shirts would be good." - Sandra, 8th gr.
"I think it was pretty cool. I've never made a shirt before. But, it was too rushed." - Janet, 6th gr.(Program ran nearly 3 hours - md)
Suggestions for Future Programs
"Making necklaces. For boys, arts and crafts. The girls like paper stuff." - Abigail H., 6th gr.
"Make diaries." - Indelisa B., 6th gr.
"I think we should create caps and personalize them." - Juan G., 9th gr. (I just purchased personalize-able caps @ OTC! - md)


PS: I presented two poster sessions at ALA (YA Library Services Excellence Awards & Teen Tech Week grants). A link to the article: http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2008/07/11/yalsa-tech-for-ya-committee-poster-session/. BTW, an information literacy "recipe" that I wrote was selected for publication in a book to be launched at ALA 2009, Chicago.

Project Runway

Helping Out With Project Runway @ Temple City

We had a really fun Project Runway @ Temple City. The chaos inspired me to photograph a properly layed out room to share with libraries planning their own Project Runway. Josh's event attracted...it seemed like 40 teens?!

इंडियन कल्तुरल हेरिटेज Day

The good news:
Young adults lined up for mehndi/henna tattoos! Even new teen patrons,
who noticed our promotional door sign.
The bad news:
Whereas we usually have 2 henna artists for 2 hours, we were only
allotted 1 artist for 1 hour. (Darn economy!)
The other bad news:
The planned Indian pakora, bhaji, tempura, and samosa sampling was
foiled by siesta. (I actually observed my contact slumbering as I banged
@ the glass door.)
More good news:
The Mexican market was wide open!
Indian Cultural Heritage Day meets Cinco de Mayo celebration! The event
didn't coalesce as planned, but teens enjoyed learning about Indian
culture while munching traditional Mexican treats, and nominating each
other for YA Board leadership positions.
Comments:
"It was great & fun. Interesting also!" - Katrina, 9th grade
Suggestions for future programs:
"Calligraphy!" - Wendy V., 10th grade
The best news:
Last Friday, we learned that a $1,000.00 grant that the teens and I
submitted was funded! The grant will be matched by the Friends of the La
Puente Library, and will provide for physically active/intellectually
stimulating video game equipment that both teens and children can use.
Attached pics include a Cinco de Mayo craft & Indian Cultural Heritage
Day (meets Cinco De Mayo).