Sunday, February 01, 2009

Crafty Teen: Fuzzy Beads!

What'll you do for a Valentine's gift this year?
Want to make something small, warm and fuzzy?
Learn to make felted beads for jewelry or keychains using:
Some Wool
Hot Water
and Friction!
For ages 10-18. Space is limited. For information or to register, contact Dorcas Wong at (415) 355-5700 or dwong@sfpl.org

Monday, January 12, 2009

Crafty Teen: Transform Your Tee!


Feeling a little chilly in this SF weather?

Got an old T-shirt?

Bring it in and we'll learn how to transform your tee into an awesome pair of ARM WARMERS!
(Discovered in the book, Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay.)

If you can't bear to cut your own tee up, no worries. Materials will be provided.

For ages 12-18. But if you're younger and want to participate, hopefully you'll at least have some experience with needle and thread because this does require some basic sewing skills (ex. how not to poke yourself with pins).

Location:
Ortega Branch Library
3223 Ortega St.
(at 39th Ave., right next to A.P. Giannini)
San Francisco, CA 94122

Date & Time:
January 18, 2009, Sunday
2:00PM - 3:30PM

Registration is required. If you have questions please contact Dorcas at (415) 355-5700 or dwong@sfpl.org

See you there!

Friday, January 09, 2009

Knit Happens!

















Teen Knitting and Crochet Club



If you’re between 12 and 18 and want to learn to knit, crochet or just want to hang out and knit or crochet with other teens, join us! The library will provide supplies to practice on but bring your own yarn and needles or hooks to start your own unique project. We generally meet the third Saturday of each month. Although this program is aimed at teens primarily, we also welcome knitters & crocheters from 9-99, both experienced and new, to join us!



Dates for January/February/March 2009 are:


Saturday, January 17

Saturday, February 21

Saturday, March 21

2–4 p.m.


Fisher Children’s Center, Main Library, 2nd Floor

100 Larkin St. (at Grove)


Questions? Call or e-mail Betsy Levine, Teen Librarian at (415) 557-4497 or blevine@sfpl.org.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

TEEN ART CONTEST!!

Theme: "Cool It! Green Teen Summer Read"
(eco-theme!)
Deadline: Tuesday February 10, 2009 at 6p.m.
Design an illustration for the Teen Summer Read Program 2009 and win:
$100 plus your art all over the city!
  • Get a Registration form at http://sfpl.org/sfplonline/teen/teens.htm
  • The design theme is "Cool It! Green Teen Summer Read," relating to environmental awareness and reading.
  • Original drawings, photos, computer designs (eps file high res pdf preferred, colors must be cmyk) accepted.
  • 8.5" by 11" dimensions preferred.
  • Submit artwork and reg form by mail to Office of Children and Youth Services, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
  • Or hand in to any San Francisco Public Library. Questions: call 415-557-4268 or email jennifercollins@sfpl.org
  • For artists aged 12-18.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

What We're Reading Now


Skip Beat by Yoshiki Nakamura

Kyoko leaves her hometown to follow her childhood crush to Tokyo, where he plans on becoming a singing superstar. While she works several jobs to pay for the apartment and living expenses, Shoutaro (now Shou), with his good looks and voice, steadily rises in popularity. Now, one day, while Kyoko decides to suprise him with lunch at work, she overhears a conversation between him and his lovely manager. He smugly announces that now that he's famous, he's ready to move out and dump Kyoko. Instead of bawling her eyes out, Kyoko decides on sweet revenge, to crush him in the world of show business.

Reasons for Awesomeness:
  • Kyoko is spunky, quirky, smart, and can be dark and menacing in one frame, and watery-eyed, innocent in another.

  • This manga has just the right touch of comedy to offset the angst and pain of personal discovery.

  • Though it's more of a shoujo manga (heavy on the relationships), it has enough action going on to feed the need for those high-speed chases and adrenaline pumping fights and such.

  • It's also been made into an anime.

Check it out some time and tell us what you think.

Monday, November 24, 2008

We've invaded Facebook!

In answer to an earlier poll, we, the teen librarians of San Francisco, have begun a new Facebook group for Teen Services. Search for us under "Teen Services SFPL" and we'll add you.
See you there!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Crafty Teen: Crochet!

On this day, the 25th of October, much fun was had with yarn and crochet hooks at the Ortega branch library. Though it was a bit tricky at first, with a little practice hopefully we will all have something to gift to someone by the end of the year.

If you attended and would like a reminder, or if you didn't but have always been intrigued with the interesting things you can create with a length of yarn, check out this how to site on crocheting:
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2188_crochet-scarf.htm

It contains video clips that will also teach you how to pick yarn, tips and advice, and what to do with specialty yarns (ex. those fuzzy ones that have things sticking out every which way).

Have Fun!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

TEEN READ WEEK CHALLENGE WINNER!

We have a winner (who has been contacted) in the Teen Read Week "Books with Bite" challenge!

The correct answer for the challenge was "Experience Immortality at the Twilight Party."

Don't forget to come to:

Twilight Movie Party
Locations: Main Library Latino/Hispanic Room: 100 Larkin St. (at Grove)
Time: Saturday November 15, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
For information, contact Rachel Aronowitz at (415) 557-4426 or raronowitz@sfpl.org.

Check the blog for future challenges!!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

TEEN READ WEEK CHALLENGE DAY 5 (a little early!)!!

DAY 5: There’s a teen event on November 15th at the Main Library called “Twilight Movie ________.” (fill in the blank). Hint: go to www.sfpl.org . Click “Events,” scroll to Teen Center at the bottom and find an event for Nov 15th.

Instructions: Find out the answer to each question for the all 5 days this week and email all 5 answers (they spell out a secret message) to jenniferlibrarian@gmail.com by Monday October 20th at 5pm. HINT: visit http://www.sfpl.org/ to start your search. Drawing will take place on Wednesday October 22nd. You may start playing at anytime during the week and go back to previous days' questions. With 5 correct answers, you could win a blood-red iPod Nano (8 GB)!

TEEN READ WEEK CHALLENGE DAY 4!

DAY 4: What movie trailer is featured on www.myspace.com/sfteenlibrarian? Hint: scroll down!

Instructions: Find out the answer to each question for the all 5 days this week and email all 5 answers (they spell out a secret message) to jenniferlibrarian@gmail.com by Monday October 20th at 5pm. HINT: visit http://www.sfpl.org/ to start your search. Drawing will take place on Wednesday October 22nd. You may start playing at anytime during the week and go back to previous days' questions. With 5 correct answers, you could win a blood-red iPod Nano (8 GB)!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

TEEN READ WEEK CHALLENGE DAY 3!

DAY 3: On the San Francisco Public Library website (www.sfpl.org), what do the letters A.T. stand for in the initials “A.T.L. online?” Hint: Click “News: What’s happening at the Library” then look for the “What’s New” category.

Instructions: Find out the answer to each question for the all 5 days this week and email all 5 answers (they spell out a secret message) to jenniferlibrarian@gmail.com by Monday October 20th at 5pm. HINT: visit http://www.sfpl.org/ to start your search. Drawing will take place on Wednesday October 22nd. You may start playing at anytime during the week and go back to previous days' questions. With 5 correct answers, you could win a blood-red iPod Nano (8 GB)!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

TEEN READ WEEK CHALLENGE DAY 2!! With 5 correct answers, you could win a blood-red iPod Nano (8 GB)!

DAY 2: What is the English translation of the book title Nesmrtelnost by Milan Kundera?
Hint: use title search feature in San Francisco Public Library's catalog.

Instructions: Find out the answer to each question for the all 5 days this week and email all 5 answers (they spell out a secret message) to jenniferlibrarian@gmail.com by Monday October 20th at 5pm. HINT: visit http://www.sfpl.org/ to start your search. Drawing will take place on Wednesday October 22nd. You may start playing at anytime during the week and go back to previous days' questions. With 5 correct answers, you could win a blood-red iPod Nano (8 GB)!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

TEEN READ WEEK ONLINE CHALLENGE- DAY 1

WELCOME TO THE TEEN READ WEEK "BOOKS WITH BITE" CHALLENGE!!

Instructions: Find out the answer to each question for the next 5 days and email all 5 answers (they spell out a secret message) to
jenniferlibrarian@gmail.com by Monday October 20th at 5pm. HINT: visit http://www.sfpl.org/ to start your search. Drawing will take place on Wednesday October 22nd. You may start playing at anytime during the week and go back to previous days' questions.


DAY 1: Do a call number search in San Francisco Public Library’s catalog for B Am57a2. What is the title of the book with this call number?

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Crafty Teen Projects!

If you missed it last month we did some interesting things with Paper. You can learn to do them to by watching these clever videos we found online:

The Super Simple Bookmark:
www.metacafe.com/watch/904484/origami_book_bookmark/

The Origami Panda Bookmark:
Part One - www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JoiNDNP8xY
Part Two - www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpR4Y6dEyzo

The Super Simple Chopstick Rest:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rYtwIH52hM

The Chopstick Rest in the shape of Fish Bones:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPOoxCSey-o

And Finally, the Favorite...
Puffy Stars:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hPaqL67DOI

Have Fun Folding and watch out for more Crafty projects at your local library!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Snippets from Teen Summer Reading - Glen Park Teens

I read The Goodness Gene. I liked the questions the story makes you ask yourself. The book reminded me a bit of Fahrenheit 451. I liked how it was similar to how life would be like if Hitler had succeeded. Will's struggle to not give in to his desire for fame and power brought out his character. If you like thinking about life's questions I would recommend this book to you.

I liked Born in Sin, written by Evelyn Coleman. This book is about how an African American girl named Keisha pursues her dreams of getting into Avery University and becoming an Olympic swimmer. In order to accomplish her dreams, Keisha has to go through many obstacles. Keisha almost gave up when more conflicts arose. Fortunately, with support and help from her family, Keisha fulfills her dreams. I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches me never to give up on something that I dream of in my life.

Twilight is a fantastic book. I recommend it to girls but it's great for boys too. Bella, the main character, meets Edward, a vampire and they become girlfriend and boyfriend. The book tells of how they manage their relationship. Edward yearns for her blood but he loves her at the same time. Bella has to be careful around him or his vampire side can present itself before her eyes. The ending of the book is great. There is much action. It takes place in Forks, but also Phoenix, Arizona. Bella is a teen with separated parents. Edward is a 17 year old vampire who has been around for over a century. I recommend it to people who like romance, vampires, or action.

The novel Prodigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver, weaves together three stories, all occurring in the same Southern Appalachian town. My favorite was the story of Lusa, a city girl brought to the town by her farmer husband who struggles to fit in among her vicious sisters-in-law. I loved Crys, Lusa's niece who things that she is a boy. Lusa's trials were very poignant.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Clips from Teen Summer Reading 2008 - Ortega Teens Say...

I really enjoyed reading this book (The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel) because it was different from the books I usually read (romance) and it was down to earth. The author was really good at setting the book in a different time that’s not familiar to us and yet making it come alive. I really liked the idea that humans used to be like animals and had the memory of their whole evolution once they were born. I also liked that the characters were more focused on survival relationships and status rather than material things. I recommend this book to serious readers because it has some adult issues and long descriptions that sometimes get confusing.

New Moon and Eclipse were excellent follow ups to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight because of the introductions of new characters, new plot, and new conflicts. Meyer cleverly combines the aspects of real live and the concept of werewolves and vampires into an ordinary girl’s life.

If you ever had a boyfriend, or need one, then try reading Absolute Boyfriend. Though it may not help you get a boyfriend, it gives you all the drama that any relationship has. Only difference is that this boy is a robot which looks like a human boy (Knight) and was sold to Riiko by a shady salesman (Gaku). It has tons of teenage drama and it also taught me to never trust shady businessmen.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde was literally laugh out loud funny. The humor is well-timed and very British. This is definitely one of my new favorite plays! And plays are quick reads, too (hence it took me less than 2 hours) but still are great pieces of literature.

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: This book made me sick to my stomach in a good, social-change way. The descriptions of the Chicago meat packing plants are gory and the descriptions of Jurgis Rudkus’s agony are heart wrenching. The ending was unnecessarily tedious but put a face to the sometimes exaggerated communism.

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I enjoyed this book again, although I’ve read it before because it speaks out about poverty. In the story, Sara Crewe, the main character, is starving. She finds some money on the ground and buys 6 buns. Then she sees a girl that looks hungrier than herself and she gives 5 of the buns to her.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wire fans check out Snoop Grace After Midnight

Grace After Midnight is a memoir by Felicia “Snoop” Pearson, actress on the HBO hit show The Wire. Born a cross-eyed crack baby fitting in the palm of your hand, Snoop was an only child who didn’t get the chance to know what her real family was like, but she wanted to, badly. She was sent to a foster home where a couple grew to love and raise her as if she were their own. Always staying to herself she sat on the stoop in front of her house staring all day learning the ways of the streets in East Baltimore .When going to school she stayed to herself because everyone always made fun of her being cross-eyed. Snoop lets the reader into her life by sharing the memories and stories of her life and how she became the person that we see on the HBO series The Wire: not living with her mother, who chose to do drugs over her, a father that chose to sell drugs and live a thug life over raising his child. Felicia had to deal with the fact she was cross-eyed, wear glasses, dress like a boy, and being a lesbian. Then one day a guy went up to her, because he noticed how she just sat in the same spot everyday studying the streets, and he started talking to her and asked her to hold a package for him. When he came back a few hours later, she handed over the package and he went on his way, and that’s when life started to turn for Snoop. Later she became a corner boy on the rough streets of East Baltimore. When I first picked up the book I was locked in by the birth of Snoop. She made you feel emotional from the description of the way she looked at birth. She writes about the hope she lost when she met her father for the first and only time in her life, the loneliness she felt because she had no one she could relate to. She put her story out there, not asking for sympathy or anything, just wanting to shed a light on the struggles she went through and overcame. She had positive people in her life that tried their best to influence her. She hits the spot with the reality of how you have to live with the choices you make in life. While in prison, Snoop has a reality check about the life style she lived before going to prison; she is changed because of the thing that happened to the people she came to know as Uncle and Father. The book sums up victory in the midst of hardship.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Teen Summer reading,we chose a few comments by some of our teen readers.

Heck

Heck was a great book there could still be improvements but it was great still the connection between Miton and Marlo was touching but was rather sad.I recommend this book to anyone who comes across it.

"As Simple As Snow"

What i liked about the book "As simple as snow"was the second main character,Ana,who I thought was pretty cool.Because even though she was a goth,she wrote an obituary about every person in her town.And knew how they would die, when they would die before it all happened. And that made her a unique character to read about.

Chinese Cinderella

The book Chinese Cinderella has a very strong inner feeling about the life of an unwanted girl.Her life was interesting,but in a unpleasant way.I liked this book because it taught me that life can be unfair, but as you progress on you could be anything you want.I would recommend this book to my peers because I want to persuade the theme to them by reading this book.