MERIDIAN LIBRARY TEEN BLOG

SO MUCH TO DO!

2009-11-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
Long time no blog.
Well, if you have been at the library lately you might have seen my office. And if you have noticed my office you might have noticed the changes in the teen department. I would like to know what you think? Give us some feedback!

Now to our new programs:

We have a new "TEEN ARTS N' CRAFTS" starting December 8th. We are going to do some fun and creative things each month. If you want to know more about this programs give me a call (208)888-4451 or come and see me at the new teen office. :)

Some of you have attended our "TEEN GAMING NIGHT" few weeks ago, and for those who couldn't get in - come and see us on Black Friday @ 3:30 p.m.. We will play until 5:30 p.m.. If you noticed some of the glitches we had that night - we fixed them and we are ready to play!

And thanks to your feedback we are going to have a "TEEN MANGA/ANIME CLUB" in January. Since I am not so familiar with Manga/Anime - Klinton (aka Manga/Anime Expert) will lead the group. We will have fun - come dressed as your favorite character, we will have Japanese/Asian snacks and we will share books and get to know each other. This program will start January 15th 2010!

And last but not least - come and join our book club. I have changed few things and we have new people attending. I would like to see you there joining our great discussion we have. We meet on December 10th @ 4 p.m.this next month. Come and see me at the office to pick up your book for this month. This month's book: Fire by Kristin Cashore

If I missed some information about any program or if you have any questions check out the Meridian Library website -> Teens and take a look at our teen program schedule.

I am looking forward to seeing you at the library and can't wait to hear your feedback on here!
Blog on!

Dominique

Teen Cultural Programs sponsered by your high schools!

2009-08-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Today I went to 5 schools in the Meridian Districts and provided them with posters, information and permission slips for our upcoming program.
The schools I went to:

Meridian High
Meridian Middle
Heritage Middle School
Sawtooth Mountain Middle School
Rocky Mountain High

If you are at any of these schools check the poster and ask for the permission slip.
The program we are doing is TEEN CULTURAL EXCHANGE and this month we are talking about INDIA. At the end of the program we are going to do Mehndi - Mehndi is a temporary design (somewhat like a tattoo). I can't wait we will learn how to wrap a Sari (the clothes Indian women wear) try out some Indian food..and learn the Hindi alphabet.....

Well, are you going to be a part of it?
If so, you need to be 12 years and up and have your permission slip filled out by your parents. The program is on September 22nd @ 4 p.m. - YOU NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THIS ONE - either call us or stop by at the library to sign up. We have only 25 spots available so sign up early!!

For more info check out the teen corner: http://www.mld.org/TeenCorner.htm

TEEN FALL PROGRAMS COMING UP!

2009-08-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
We have our Teen Programs all scheduled and our Teen Fall Schedule is finally out!
Come to the library and pick up a brochure.
September 10th - TEEN BOOK CLUB - @ 4 p.m. with an Origami Workshop. You can win an Origami kit, just by participating. Ages: 12 and up!

September 22nd TEEN CULTURAL EXCHANGE @ 4 p.m.- Hands on activities, learn about different countries - food, language, music, customs and many other fun and interesting facts. THIS MONTH: INDIA
Can't wait to see you!

LAST CHAT-N-CHEW 7/16

2009-07-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
It has been really nice to chat-n-chew with you for the past weeks. We are going to take a break in August but start up a new program called "Cultural Exchange". This coming Thursday is the last chat-n-chew because next week we have a special program planned called REUSEUM.
REUSEUM is a fun project where we will make beambots. Beambots? Hmmm...I don't know much about it, all I know is that we are going to make some kind of a robot from old cell phones and computer parts. Intriguing, huh?
Well, this program is a sign up program and as far as I know we are already filled up for this program. Don't forget that on July 30th we will all meet for the SUMMER READING FINALE at 9:30 a.m. at the TULLY PARK. That's going to be soo much fun!

7/16 - LAST CHAT-N-CHEW
7/23 - BEAMBOTS (REUSEUM) sign-up program only
7/30 - SUMMER READING FINALE @ Tully Park (9:30 a.m.)

SPECIAL ACTIVITY WEEK #8 (IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED NO WINNER THIS TIME)

2009-07-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

Week #8 (July 6th)
Special Activity
I spy ___@ my library!

Hello, hello…
How is everyone doing? Happy Birthday Idaho and Happy 4th of July! I am posting this week’s blog a little earlier because I am not working this Monday due to the holiday!
Have you all been reading eagerly, turning in your reading logs? Here is a reward for you all. This is another special week and this time I want you to find 12 areas/spots in the library that are pictured on the photos below.
I walked around the library and took photos from an unusual perspective or close-up to make it challenging for you. Get to know your library and find these particular areas/spots in your library.

Ok, here are the instructions and rules:

1.Take a good look at the 12 photos posted below this post. This activity requires you to actually go to the library and there you will get another set of photos available at the children’s desk. (It would be super hard trying to memorize 12 photos, huh?) There are a total of 12 photos. Can you figure out where these photos were taken? (ALL photos were taken inside or outside the library – only in locations open to the public of course)

2.Take a trip to the library – stop by at the children’s department – ask at the children’s department front desk for a form and photo sheet (for directions & clues)

3.Take the photo sheet and try to find these areas/spots.

4.Once you found the areas/spots – write down your answers on the form where they’re located (describe the location best you can).

5.Once finished turn the form AND the photo sheet in at the children’s desk. Don’t forget – first one to have all answers right and turns it in first will be the winner! Each photo has a letter assigned (A through L)

6.If you are the first person to turn in all 12 areas/spots correctly you will win a Library “Express yourself” T-Shirt and an Art Poster.

7.As in the previous special activity week it is open for a week only. Hopefully we will have a winner by then.

8.Btw – you may not bribe the library staff, because I made sure that I am the only one that knows the answers... (Yep, I thought it through) : D

I am so excited about this activity. Have fun!

Dominique

QUESTION # 7

2009-06-29T18:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
Here is an interesting question for this week.

Would you rather lose all your old memories or never be able to make new ones?

I think that is a really insightful question.
Just imagine you would lose all your old memories, you couldn't remember what you did for your last birthday, you couldn't remember your last vacation, or you couldn't remember anything you learned at school...or never be able to make new ones?
If you would never be able to make new ones, you would wake up every morning not remembering what you did the day before, nor could you remember if you made any new friends. This reminds me on the movie "50 first dates". It is a PG 13 movie, but really cute. It is Drew Barrymore who wakes up every morning and doesn't remember a thing that happened to her the day before. So, now your turn? Which one would you rather choose?

Here are some interesting facts and maybe a helpful tool for memorization.

How can we learn to remember better?

Since memory works by association, create an association between the information will enable us to remember better. For example, if you want to remember the following list:

hamburger-refrigerator-car-dictionary-
tiger-chair-radio-pencil

All you have to do is to visualize in your mind:

1. a hamburger shivering inside a refrigerator
2. a refrigerator is put inside a car.
3. a car crashes onto a giant dictionary.
4. a dictionary with pictures of tigers.
5. a tiger is sitting on a chair
6. a chair with a radio hanging on it.
7. turn on the radio with a pencil.

If you can form vivid associations, you will be surprised how easy it is to remember the list. The idea is to be creative and visualize in your mind the associations that connect the information together. Interesting, huh?
Let me see what you think. :)

TEEN GAME DAY

2009-06-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Wii & Playstation!
I challenge you guys to come and beat me in Tony Hawk's Playstation games.
Tony Hawk games are my favorite and I have been playing them for years - so if you dare...it's on!
For those who are not into Tony Hawk's games, are welcome to play any other games on the Wii and/or Playstation.
We are not meeting to talk about books this week - because we will have fun! (Not that we don't have fun at Chat-n-Chew) :)
It is this Thursday 6/25 at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Another thing I would like to mention - if you are signed up for Teen Summer Reading - don't forget that this Friday we have another drawing with great prizes.
Oh, and if you like WWE make sure you come to our Teen Game Day because I will give away a little WWW surprise.

Can't wait to see you on Thursday!

QUESTION # 6

2009-06-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

A few interesting facts for you:

• People who become blind after birth can see images in their dreams. People who are born blind do not see any images, but have dreams equally vivid involving their other senses of sound, smell, touch and emotion.
• A full 12% of sighted people dream exclusively in black and white.
• If you dream about some particular subject it is not often that the dream is about that. Dreams speak in a deeply symbolic language. The unconscious mind tries to compare your dream to something else, which is similar.

As you’ve probably noticed – we are talking about dreams.
I dream a lot – sometimes even when awake. Hahaha
But no seriously, I tend to remember most of my dreams and sometimes I can remember dreams from years ago. In most of my dreams I am able to fly but haven’t been able to do that for a while. Lately I have been dreaming a lot about Europe. The reason why I am dreaming about it, is that I am finally going back home visiting for Christmas. I haven’t seen my family for almost 2 years. So, that’s going to be a lot of fun. I guess dreams are a way to process our daily happenings but also emotions – such as my excitement finally being able to spend Christmas with my family.

Now to our weekly question:

QUESTION #6

What is the strangest dream you've ever had?

QUESTION # 5

2009-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Lately, I have been thinking about how I can improve my own actions contributing to change the world.
So, I thought about not using any unnecessary paper such as avoiding receipts at the gas station or ATMs, or signing up for paperless bills and so on. I generally don’t like to get receipts – they are so worthless and so short-lived. The other thing is that I tend to walk a lot and don’t drive my car if I don’t need to. I also reuse all my grocery bags for other things. I know I should probably use reusable ones (the fabric bags) but I like to use the plastic ones for trash bags.
Another way to change the world is to be a kind, generous, and helpful person to those in need. Examples: Put the shopping cart in a shopping cart receptacle or return it to the store, buy fruit not candy, donate your clothes if you don’t wear them anymore, volunteer, smile more, learn something new today…and so on.
I believe that we can all contribute to make a change in our world, but are there things that you just want to be different?
I would like to recommend a good movie to you. It’s called “Pay it forward” it is PG-13 so if you are not 13 yet make sure you get your parent’s permission. It is a very inspirational movie to me. The movie is available in the library system, if you ever want to watch it. Anyway….here is this week’s question:

QUESTION#5
What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

I am sure you guys will come up with great things – can’t wait to hear it.
I think it would be awesome if we all try to improve our own actions this week? What do you think – is that a challenge?

Peace,
Dominique

NEW CHAT FEATURE FOR YOU!

2009-06-11T11:12:00.001-07:00

Hello my friends,
I see that you guys like to interact with each other, therefore I created a chatroom for you. I love the fact that you are chatting with each other and connect, but it would be much easier to do that in the MLD TEEN CHAT. Please, scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page, sign in and chat. I would like to ask you NOT to post personal conversations/chats into each post unless it is related to the topic/question.
Sounds easy, huh?
Please, don't forget the rules! No profanity, respect each other, be nice, and have fun!!
Chat on! :)
Dominique

QUESTION/WEEK #4 - (Sorry but we have a winner!!)

2009-06-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
Today is the 4th week and that means we have something to celebrate – this blog has been up and running for 1 month now and we have had over 200 people viewing this blog so far. It has been a lot of fun so far and everyone has been great - all we need now are more posts from you! Don’t be shy :)

Ok, this week’s question is not a question but an activity. Once a month there is a special post and this week I am giving away ONE Starbucks gift card of $10.00!!!
Are you interested? In case you dislike coffee, they have smoothies and hot chocolate. Regardless, it makes a good gift for those who like Starbucks.

So, here’s the deal:

In order to win this Starbucks card you have to accomplish five things – and it is a first come first serve process.
Whoever posts first and fulfills the requirements (signing up for Teen Summer Reading), and answers all questions correctly will win the Starbucks gift card. In addition to that you need to provide your first name, age and school in the post – so I can check if you are registered in our Teen Summer Reading registration folder by 6/15. If you fail to provide this information – you will be disqualified and the next person’s correct post will win! If you followed the blog for the past 3 weeks it should be easier for you figure out the right answers. Good luck!

1. Sign up for teen summer reading at the library by the end of this week. (No later than 6/15)

2. Name two Wonder Woman superpowers.

3. Name 5 languages in Europe.

4. What is the capital of Denmark?
* Copenhagen * Oslo * Stockholm * Amsterdam * Kiev

5. All are future gadgets except one. Which one is not a future gadget?
* Scarpar * Kinetic Lighting Shoes * Kindle * Future Soldier 2030*

Have a great week! I hope to see you at our first Teen program on the 11th (Teen Chat –n- Chew) Questions? Check the calendar!

Dominique

SUMMER READING AND NEW CALENDAR

2009-06-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hi friends of the blog!
I would like to let you know about our Teen Summer Reading Program.
You probably know about it - since we do it every year.
If you haven't picked up your reading log at the library, you can also download them on the internet. It's so easy and the prizes are awesome!

The other thing I'd like to talk about is the new calendar that is now up on the blog.
I had few people asking me about programs, so I created a calender and put all the teen programs on there. I hope you like this new feature.

Any feedback on anything?
Love to hear from you.

Dominique
Ready, Set, Go!
Happy reading!

QUESTION #3

2009-06-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Книга * livre * Buch * libro * bok * buku * kitabu * bukku * kirja * könyv * book * bog*

This week's post is all about different countries, languages and books. Above you see the word "book" in 12 different languages. What inspired me to choose this topic? I recently became an U.S.citizen. I was born in Prague, Czech Republic and moved to Germany when I was 7 years old - lived there for 16 years until I moved to Boise, ID. I lived here for the past 7 years now. I love traveling, visiting different countries, and learning new languages. What about you?

QUESTION #3

Have you ever been to a different country? Or do you speak a different language? If you haven't been to a different country or don't speak a different language - what country would you like to visit if you could? And why? Share you experience, dreams, plans - anything that involves countries, languages, books...

Think about how different books are in other countries - such as Japanese books. Most books are printed to be read top-to-bottom and right-to-left. Or the Arabic script is written from right to left, in a cursive style, and includes 28 basic letters. To me it would feel strange to read a book from the back - does anyone know why drivers in drive on the left side of the road, while the majority of drivers around the world drive on the right?

IMPORTANT! Remember the week after (Question #4) will be a special question or activity with the chance to win a prize! I will be posting special posts once a month. So, remember to log in, blog and keep up the good work!

Well, I hope some of these things will inspire you to share your thoughts on books, language, and different countries. Blog on!

QUESTION #2

2009-05-21T10:46:00.003-07:00

Howdy!
Hope everyone had a fun Memorial Weekend - I know I did! Since the library was closed on Monday, I am posting this today.

This day in history:
May 25th 1787 (exactly 222 years ago!) The Constitutional Convention formally met in Philadelphia under the leadership of George Washington, in order to establish a new U.S. government.
May 25th 1937 (72 years ago) The first airmail letter to circle the globe - returns to NY
May 25th 1961 (48 years ago) President John F. Kennedy asked the nation to work toward putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Approximately 8 years later Neil Armstrong became the first man who to walk on the moon (July 21st 1969)

I started out this week's post with some historical facts because our question is somewhat related to history and future. Today, 2009 we are an advanced society with great technology - if you look at my history facts just 48 years ago we decided to send a man on the moon - today we have great knowledge of the universe and are even considering Mars to be a possible new planet for humans.

QUESTION #2
What is our city/world going to look like in 40 or 50 years from now? Books? Technology? Crime? Libraries? Schools/Education? Transportation? What do you think?
Be creative!

QUESTION #1

2009-05-18T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
We started the promotion for the blog today and I am hoping to have few friends on here soon...
I promised to post a question each week - so here I am.

I hope you guys will use the previous post to introduce yourself - my first question is another way to get to know you more. Be creative and post your answers by Sunday, because on Monday we going to start a new discussion.

QUESTION #1
If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Personally, I would like to have two powers.

Enhanced learning capability
Healing power

I can't make up my mind, so I listed both. I think enhanced learning capability would be awesome. Especially being in college. I would fly through semesters and my school material and would have more spare time. I would also love it if I go visit a country and pick up the language within two days or less. Enhanced learning capability is definitely something cool.

The other power - healing power would be beneficial. First of all I it could be a more rewarding job than being a doctor. Healing pains/aches, injuries and anything that needs healing could be fun. I would use it mainly for my friends, family and loved ones - because pain can be tough and in my eyes unnecessary. Just about 3 weeks ago I slammed my middle finger in my car door and it was stuck there for about 3o seconds. Pretty painful! For the first 10 minutes I was crying and screaming and after that, all I was able to do is go to bed. Sleeping with a throbbing finger was gnarly! Throbbing pain for days. Now after 3 weeks I still have a blue fingernail - I did not lose the fingernail but even until today it is still sensitive to touch.
Well, long story short - who needs to suffer through aches? Right?

Now your turn!

Welcome to the Meridian Library Teen Blog

2009-05-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

First, I'd like to introduce myself...
My name is Dominique and I am the new Teen Librarian. Yes, that's me!
Besides working at the library, I am a music photographer and take pictures of local bands. I am working on my Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice at BSU. As you can imagine, I don't have a lot of time to read books for pleasure, textbooks are currently the only books I get to read. But if I have some spare time I like to read non-fiction books, such as biographies and true crime books. I love music and currently my favorite bands are: The Doors, Boards of Canada, and IQEQ.

I am now in charge of Teen Programs here at the Library and am excited to welcome all teens to our library. Some might know me from the bookmobile, I used to work there before I took this job. O.K. enough about me - I would like to get to know more about you guys.

So, join the blog and tell me something about yourself. Share as little or as much as you like about yourself. This is going to be a fun weekly blog - feel free to participate in our weekly discussions, surveys, and contests.

The only rules on here are simple and everyone has to follow them in order to participate in this blog. Follow the rules and everyone will have a blast!

NO PROFANITY
DO NOT DISRESPECT OTHER BLOGGERS
DO NOT POST ANYTHING THAT IS OFFENSIVE TO OTHERS
NO CRUDE/INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS

Ok, here is the scoop...I will be posting a question each week for you and opening it up for discussion. Once a month there will be a special post or activity. You get involved - we will do more! What would you like? Contests? Prizes?? So, let's have fun and blog!

Look for the first post.

Dominique :-)