Notes from Jen...
I am pleased to announce the 11th Annual Fall Writing Contest! Every year the library sponsors a contest seeking the short stories, poems, comics, you-name-it from local teens. Details about how to participate are listed below. I'm also super excited to tell you that Ellen Hopkins, award winning YA author, will be here in October. She will talk about writing and present prizes to the writing contest winners... but I'll save details about that for next month's newsletter. I hope you enter our writing contest! I can't wait to read your words.
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Enter the Library's Writing Contest!
In celebration of Teen Read Week, the library is hosting our 11th Annual Fall Writing Contest.
Do you like to write? Did you write something for school that you think is extra good?
Are you a secret-journal-poem-scribbler?
How to Participate:
* Submit an original piece of writing via email attachment to teens@fvrl.org (Don't forget to include your name, grade, school, and phone number in the body of the email.)
OR
* Print off an entry form and return it to any branch library.
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Guidelines:
* Teens in 6th-12th grades who live within, attend school, or are homeschooled in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District or the Woodland School District are eligible to participate.
* Your entry must be 1,000 words or less and in English.
* Entries will be accepted until the library closes on Friday, October 2, 2009.
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What should you write about?
* All genres of writing are encouraged. Some examples include: horror, romance, sci-fi, western, paranormal, fantasy and more.
* The format is open, too. So this means you can submit a poem, short story, song lyrics, comics, short plays or other formats! Just remember the judging focus will be on your words and the overall package.
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Oh and did I forget to mention there are prizes??
* Prizes will be awarded to winners in two age groups: 6th-8th and 9th-12th grades. Winners will be announced at a party on October 23 from 7-9 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library.
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Meet Sarah, Book Selector
Have you ever wondered how the library decides which books should go in the collection? It doesn't just happen by magic; there are special librarians whose job is to make sure the collection of books is balanced and interesting.
Q: So you work as a selector for the library. What does that mean, anyway?
Sarah: I am a librarian but I don’t work at one of the branch libraries. I work at an administrative building and my fulltime job is choosing which books, DVDs and audiobooks and how many to buy for all of our locations.
Q: How do you decide which books to purchase for the library's collection?
Sarah: That’s the tough part, and the fun part. I use library review journals like School Library Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and VOYA to read reviews of new books, but I also read online blogs by adults, teens, and authors, Entertainment Weekly, and websites for kids and teens to see what is popular at the moment. I check our catalog and peruse the shelves at the libraries to see what is being checked out and what we need more copies of. I watch for current trends and popular authors and also choose materials that may be less popular, but fill a gap in our collection. I have to work within my budget, so I am constantly balancing what I want to buy with what I can afford to buy.
Q: Do you ever take recommendations from teens on what to add to the collection? How does that work?
Sarah: We love recommendations from library users! If you’ve checked the catalog and we don’t own the item you’re looking for, then either ask staff at your library for a purchase suggestion form or click on the blue “Ask a Librarian” button on our website and click on the online form link under “Send a Note”. If we purchase it, we’ll even put your recommendation on hold for you and ship it to your library for pick up.
Q: What are you reading right now?
Sarah: I’m listening to The Mortal Instruments series while I wait for the sequels to The Hunger Games and Graceling and the final book in The Luxe series.
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What's Going On?
Featured Events:
Sharpen your writing skills in time to enter the Fall Writing Contest!
Woodland Writers’ Circle
Community Center (next door to library)
September 8, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Get support and feedback about your work. Writing exercises and tips for getting published, too.
Teen Writing Workshop
Vancouver Community Library
September 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Local author Sheila Simonson will share tips and activities. This workshop is in lieu of the September YAAB meeting.
Write On!
Washougal Community Library
September 19, 11:00 a.m.
Join this informal group to talk about writing, share ideas and write. Light refreshments served.
Teen Writers Circle
Battle Ground Community Library
September 22, 4:00 p.m.
Come share your writing and creative energy. Snacks provided.
Young Adult Advisory Board
Food, friends, and fun! Through the YAAB, you have a voice and can influence new library programs. Bring your friends. Click for meeting schedule and locations.
Teen Book Groups
Pick up a copy of the book in advance (special copies available at the library hosting the program). Then come talk about the book with other teens.
 | Woodland Library - September 4, 4-5 p.m. Yume Kira Dream Shoppe by Aqua Mizuto |
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Three Creeks Library - September 15, 6:00 p.m. Schooled by Gordon Korman |
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Battle Ground Library - September 24, 4:00 p.m. Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz |  |
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