Teen Poetry Café @ the Jimmie B. Keel Library

The Poetry Café on April 29 at Jimmie B. Keel was a huge success. The group of fifteen who came out was just the right size for everyone who wanted to read their poems to feel comfortable and run for the mic. People read works from their favorite poets, and there were loads of original poems—some old and some written specifically for the night. The highlight of the evening was when everyone started writing original poems during the actual event! There were poems about the art exhibit in the Community Room, where the event was held; about Jimmie B. Keel’s own TAB group, and many others on a variety of subjects.

We had some awesome music, chosen by Abby S., who played emcee for the night, and Louis B. treated the crowd to his guitar playing. Of course it wouldn’t be a TAB event if it didn’t include some dancing! We even got together and sang Happy Birthday to TAB member Justin J., whose birthday had passed the previous weekend. Everyone had a really great time, but the food and atmosphere really pushed it over the top. All in all, the Poetry Café was a wonderful event. When’s the next one???

Post by Briana S., TAB volunteer

Need a ride?

Looking for a way to get to the library to pick up all the books and movies you want and all those great summer programs we're having?

HART's got you covered again this year... their Summer Blast Pass allows kids 17 and under to have unlimited rides on all HART local routes from May 17 to August 31 for just $30.

 

Visit http://www.gohart.org/ for more information.

 

 

Summer fitness for teens

Noteworthy news from TBO.com:

Teens hoping to get fit during summer break can now register for a free health club membership at any Lifestyle Family Fitness. Online registration opens this week for teens ages 12 to 17.

It appears many bay area parents are supportive of their teens and aware of the dangers of childhood obesity. Last summer, parents enrolled approximately 6,000 bay area teens in this program.

Nationwide, the program runs May 15 through August 15. To register a teen, parents may visit www.lff.com/teen. Teen memberships provide all-day access to the health clubs on weekends and access until 4:00p.m. on weekdays. For more information, parents can call 866-362-9286 during business hours.

And don't forget that the library's got tons of books and videos to help with your summer fitness routine! (Not to mention all those fun summer programs when you're ready for some relaxation!)

Wicked Lovely Masquerade!

Wicked Lovely Masquerade... We had fun!

The New Tampa Regional Library hosted its first, after hours, teen event!

It was fun! There was music, the librarians learned a lot of new songs (Thanks for the song suggestions!). We played Rock Band and DJ Hero! We ate and watched a movie. You should have been there. As for the music, we really cranked it up! The summer promises to be great! We are planning many more Teen Programs!

Nominate some Great Graphic Novels for Teens!

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is looking for nominations for its annual list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens. 

Got a favorite that you'd like to nominate?  It has to have been published no earlier than September 31, 2009 AND can't be on last year's list.  It's also got to be suitable for readers ages 12-18.

Enter your picks here!

Teen Poetry Slam @ Bloomingdale Library

Thursday and Friday, April 22nd and 23rd, Bloomingdale celebrated National Poetry Month by hosting a poetry workshop for Teens and Poetry Slam. Teens were invited to participate in a Spoken Word Poetry Workshop with nationally renowned Spoken Word Poet, Adrienne Nadeau. Then, on the second day of the workshop the teens stood up to test their poetry skillz against each other in a Poetry Slam. Each teen performed two poems and then were judged on their performance for each. After all the poets competed, the poet with the highest score was Bailey McCoy, who received a copy of Adrienne Nadeau’s poetry CD and an opportunity for the poem to be published on our Teen Blog. Second place went to Rohan Snyder.

Praise Poem
I was told to write a praise poem,
to tell about who I am by what I have done.
But, where to start?
The scar on my knee from when I fell off a scooter?
or the one on my elbow from my bike?
(miraculously I didn’t cry either time, however, I did cry when I hit my thumb with a hammer)
The anxiety which has prevented me from so many friendships?
or my ADD which ended so many others?
Maybe I should tell about the time I got sick and missed the bucket
(I couldn’t stop apologizing to my mom for that)
Should I tell about my religion?
(or lack of it)
The people who bullied me as a child?
I should definitely include my fast pace in walking and talking
and the lack of rhyming and structure in my poems
I am a 14-year-old girl who has not done much (besides school)
But even the little that I have done has managed to shape me into the
beautiful person I am today

- Bailey Lynne McCoy

Congratulations to Bailey and all of our poets for their creativity and for their courage in standing up in a room full of strangers and allowing their poetry to be judged by others.

Michelle Frasier @ BDL

Wicked Lovely Masquerade

The New Tampa Regional library invites you to a Teen ONLY, After Hours Event! Come for a unfilled night inspired by the Wicked Lovely novels of Melissa Marr. Enjoy Music, Games, Movies, and Food!
This FREE event is sponsored by the New Tampa Regional Friends of the Library.
(Dress anyway you like!) Find out what we mean by OVERDRIVE!
Friday, May 7, 2010 from 7 to 10 PM