Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Teen Talent 2012: Coming Soon

Like to sing, dance, do stand-up comedy or have a unique talent? Want to perform in front of people for a chance to win cash? Teen Talent 2012 is coming to Hillsborough County this March and April. Starting in February, you will be able to register solo or as a group for a chance at stardom. Registration forms will be available soon at the information desk of participating libraries.

Check out the talent from the competition last year at the SouthShore Regional Library and see if your talent stacks up!



Did I mention that first place is $100?

More information coming soon........

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Teen Art on Display!

It looks Great! It looks Grand!

Benito Middle School Students have enriched the New Tampa Regional Library's children's area with ARTWORK! Group portraiture, Escher patterns, and still life sketchings. People of all ages have been observed walking through this colorful wall exhibit, appreciating the creative output of BENITO Middle School.


submitted by Elisa

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!

On Thursday, December 1st at 5:30pm we will be discussing Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card at Jan Platt Library. Come join the discussion and help select future books for the group to read. Copies of the book are available at the Jan Platt Library for check out.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. T.A.B. members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin isn't just playing games at Battle School; he and the other children are being tested and trained in Earth's attempt to find the military genius that the planet needs in its all-out war with an alien enemy. Ender Wiggins is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast."

Ender's Game won the Nebula Award and Hugo Award (the two most prestigious awards in science fiction). It was also honored with a spot on American Library Association's "100 Best Books for Teens". In 2008, the novel, along with Ender's Shadow, won the Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors an author and specific works by that author for lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Hispanic Heritage Poster Winners


Are you curious who won the 2012 2nd Annual Teen Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest? Visit Studio 813 and find out if your poster was the winner?

Do you want to see all of the posters including the honorable mentions? We have setup displays of the posters at the Tampa Bay History Center (part of display shown above) and the SouthShore Regional Library. The displays will stay up through the end of November.

Congratulations to the winners!!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

National Gaming Day @ The Library

What a DAY !

Several contestants came to compete in National Gaming Day in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Libraries! This saga starts at the West Tampa Branch Library. After a lot of "Hey Man", "Awww's" and "Yeah's!", two remained. Those two went online to battle against the C. Blythe Andrews Library. Christian and D'Andre made it to the SEMI-FINALS! (We weren't sure we were going to make it). They had tough competitors!

The John F. Germany Library, Sulphur Springs Partnership Library, and the C. Blythe Andrews Library were ready to "BRAWL!" They set the rules but West Tampa Reigned Supreme!

Congratulations to D'Andre, National Library Gaming Day Champ in Hillsborough County!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Library Debuts Facebook Page!


There’s a new Facebook page in town! Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System went live with its first Facebook page last week!

We are excited to interact with you in this new way and hope you will check us out and ”like” our page! This is a great way to get breaking news from the library, as well as finding out about upcoming teen contests including Teenz Ink and the Teen Talent Shows in March and April where you can win CASH!

Click on the image below to get started, we look forward to your feedback!



Monday, November 7, 2011

The Return of Shadocon!

Yeppers, Shadocon is back! Same place and all- at the Crowne Plaza Hotel right here in Tampa. Meet some of your favorite voice actors. Dance the night away at the Final Fantasy Ball! Enjoy .hack//SIGN the Musical. Play video games, sing along with anime music videos, participate in the panels, and gaze at the costumes in the cosplay contest- and much more! Right here, this weekend- at Shadocon!

Shadocon

Friday, November 4, 2011

Walking Ghost Tour a Success: Picture It @ Your Library!



Teens at the John F. Germany Public Library wrapped up Teen Read Week in style, by participating in a walking ghost tour in Downtown Tampa. Click here to check out some of the raw footage from the tour. Look closely, you never know what they have been caught in film.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Free Downloadable Music

Are you looking for a free option for downloading music? Freegal is a downloadable music service offering hundreds of thousands of DRM-free songs, over 100 genres of music, and more than 50 record labels from the Sony Music Entertainment catalog. The artists available on Freegal include Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson, and Britany Spears. You will find many of your favorites through this service. The only catch is that you are limited to 3 downloads per week and that you need a library card.

Want to give it a shot? You can visit Freegal through our Arts and Entertainment page on the library website.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Open Stage for Teens @ Jan K. Platt Regional Library [Wednesday, November 30th]

Open Stage for Teens

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Teens : Come check out our Open Stage event! Enjoy the café atmosphere with tea, coffee, and snacks while you watch your friends perform their favorite talent. Those that want to go on stage can sign up in advance, at the library information desk or by calling 813-273-3652, or at the door for a three minute time slot to perform a song, poem, dance, magic trick, or any other talent you want to share.

This event is hosted by the Jan K. Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board and funded by the Friends of the Jan Platt Library.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

College Financial Workshop @ John F. Germany Public Library



Dealing with all the steps it takes to go to college can be scary -- and confusing. Especially finding a way to pay for it. Come to the John F. Germany Library on Thursday, October 20 at 6 pm for a college financial workshop for students and their parents and get the answers to some of your biggest questions. "What are the due dates for financial aid forms?" "What scholarships am I eligible for?" "What are the application deadlines for UT and HCC?" Representatives from the University of Tampa and Hillsborough County Community College will be on hand with answers to these questions and more. Plus, you'll have a chance to win SAT tutor books. And the best part? It's all free! Can't make it on October 20? Surf over to Hillsborough County Library's "College Prep 101" website for more tips on paying for college.

Get closer to college @ your library!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Giving Tree Music - Drumming @ Jan Platt Library

Hi !

We are having a very special event at Jan Platt Library : a Giving Tree Music Drumming event on Tuesday, October 18, from 4:30 - 5:30

Connect our Global Community through Music! Drumming in a group can spark joy in an individual. We provide the drums; all you need to bring is yourself. Sing, drum, dance and laugh as we explore the magic of community and teamwork. We will learn traditional songs and stories, and how to "talk" to each other with our drums.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Son of Neptune Just Released




The book many of us have been waiting on has finally arrived. Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan has just been released this week. We will add the book to our catalog soon, but you can always read the first book of the series. The Heros of Olympus is the second series for Percy Jackson and his gang of demigods and Son of Neptune is the 2nd book in that series.



The first series was called Percy Jackson and the Olympians and started with the Lightning Thief. Some of us have only seen the movie version of the Lightning Thief, but the book is a huge improvement from the movie. If you have not read any of his books, you should check out the Lightning Thief.



The John F. Germany Public Library will also celebrate the arrival of Rick Riordan's new book with an Octoga Party for teens under the age of 15. Come dressed as your favorite Greek God or Goddess and enjoy an afternoon of Percy Jackson themed games and contests.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!

On Thursday, October 27th at 5:30pm we will be discussing The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey at Jan Platt Library. Come join the discussion and help select future books for the group to read. Copies of the book are available at the Jan Platt Library for check out.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. TAB members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"Alfred Kropp was just trying to survive high school when his guardian uncle gets him roped into a suspicious get-rich-quick scheme that changes his life forever: stealing Excalibur—the legendary sword of King Arthur. But after Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the hands of a man with enormously evil intentions, he sets off on an unlikely quest to try to right his wrong and save the world from imminent destruction. This gripping, fast-paced, hilarious novel is both a thrilling adventure story and an engaging account of one boy’s coming of age."




See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

It's all fun and games... @ the library!


Come play with us at the many Game Zones offered at libraries around the county. We bring the video games; you bring the fun! Some branches also offer online PC gaming or other activities, too. Check the event schedule or talk to your librarian to find out when the fun is coming to a branch near you!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Need Community Service Hours?


Love to read? Devour the latest book by your favorite author and review it on our teen blog. Enjoy socializing with your friends? Plan an after-hours party for teens in the library. Many libraries throughout the county have Teen Advisory Boards (TABs) where you can earn community service hours while having a say about how libraries serve teens in the community. This is your chance to help increase literacy among your peers and make a difference in their lives. You might even have some fun on the way and learn new skills such as video editing and other cool technology tools.


Looking for your closest TAB? Checkout our TAB page for more information or if you’re interested in chartering a completely new TAB, we’ve just added a Teen Advisory Board at the John F. Germany Public Library in Downtown Tampa.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Blow me down - September 19 is “Talk like a Pirate” day!


Now you too, can sound like a real pirate. Mango Languages offers “Pirate” as one of its over 30 language offerings. You too can learn how to say “Oh my gosh the ship isn’t moving” (Blow me down, the ship’s becalmed) and “Holy cow!” (Shiver me timbers) in Pirate using Mango’s free language course.

Head on over to the Homework Help section of the Library's Teen Central website for a link to Mango Languages.
Just remember that a pirate’s favorite letter is ARRR!

Lauren L. @ John F. Germany Public Library



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Teen Jam 2011 - Stix of Fire Rocked the Auditorium


Teen Tuesday Nights started with a bang at the John F. Germany Public Library on Tuesday, September 13th. Stix of Fire rocked the auditorium with some great tunes, while the rest of us chowed down on pizza and soda. This is the start of a series of programs including a Teen Advisory Board and Game Zone on Tuesday Nights.

Teen Advisory Boards allow you to gain community service hours needed for college scholarships while giving teens a voice about library programs. Help steer us old folks to some fun and educational programs that you want to see in the library. You might even be voted in as an officer, which will look great on your college resume.

Game Zone gives you the opportunity to play a Wii on a big screen with an exceptional sound system. The games include Smash Brothers Brawl and Mario Kart. An Xbox 360 provides even more of your favorite games.

Food and soda will be served to help keep your energy up while hanging out at the library. So don’t forget, Tuesday Nights are for teens at the John F. Germany Public Library.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Annual Teenage Battle Of The Bands Now Accepting Registration

What: 14th Annual Teenage Battle of the Bands
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 from Noon - 11 p.m.
Where: Hillsborough County Fair, 4810 E. State Road 60 in Dover
Registration: $50 Entry Fee per Band by Oct. 7

The 14th Annual Teenage Battle of the Bands, hosted by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, will be held Saturday, Oct. 15. The event is scheduled from Noon – 11 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 4810 E. State Road 60 in Dover, five miles east of Brandon at the intersection of Sidney-Washer Road and Highway 60.

Bands can apply now for the competition that provides free studio time to the top two winners. The entry fee is $50 dollars per band and members must be between 13 and 20 years of age. Only one band member can be age 20. Styx of Fire was the winner of Battle of the Bands last year.

Contact Joe Soletti, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, for registration information at (813) 376-5778.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Middle School the Worst Years of My Life



James Patterson has done it again. His new book "Middle School : The worst years of my life" already has people talking.




Visit the Website at middleschoolbook.com


It is full of interactive enjoyment.


Read the first 20 chapters for free.


Download it to your iphone for more fun.




I haven't even read it yet, but I'm already excited.



It's an app


It's an eBook


It's an Audio Book


It's a comic.



So many choices...

Thursday, August 18, 2011

First Annual Teen Film Festival: Did you Win?


And the winner is .... Magic Chalk!! With a grand prize of a $200 gift card from Best Buy, Magic Chalk took home the gold at the first annual Teen Film Festival. The nominees include a film about a first date, a nerd, and many other creative adventures.


At the award show, the filmmakers, their friends, and family walked the red carpet, took celebrity photos, and enjoyed refreshments. A screen of the films followed with awards handed out for the best film in each category. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library.

Teens had two months to create, film, and edit their films, which were then judged by a committee of librarians. Start brainstorming ideas for next year's festival and you may be the next Teen Film Festival winner!


Check out the photos in our Flickr Photostream and the Videos on Studio 813.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: Sabriel by Garth Nix

Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!

Join us for our first Teen Book Club meeting of the new school year. On Thursday, September 29th at 5:30pm we will be discussing Sabriel by Garth Nix at Jan Platt Library. Come join the discussion and help select future books for the group to read. Copies of the book are available at the Jan Platt Library for check out.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. TAB members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!



Ever since she was a tiny child, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the randompower of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead.But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into the world.

Though her journey begins alone, she soon finds companions: Mogget, whose seemingly harmless feline form hides a powerful-and perhaps malevolent-spirit, and Touchstone, a younger Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories.

With threats on all sides and only each other to trust, the three must travel deep into the Old Kingdom, toward a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death-and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own hiddden destiny.

A tale of dark secrets, deep love, and dangerous magic, Sabriel introduces Garth Nix an exceptional new talent.










See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Teen Mural Project on Display at Ruskin Branch Library

A four-panel mural, created by South County area teens is on display at the Ruskin Branch library. The project was funded by the SouthShore and Ruskin FOL groups and through a grant received from the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center. The mural was designed and created by teens with the guidance of Mike Parker, community arts facilitator and Laurie Burhop, art coordinator at the SouthShore Regional Library.



The mural depicts how we access information in the library. Each panel represents a different time period in history, beginning with hand-written manuscripts and ending with computers and technology. The mural is a wonderful piece of art. It says a lot about the teens in our community and their love for the library. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the Ruskin Library and view the mural!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Giving Tree Music Drum Circle @ Jan Platt Library

Hi !

We are having a very special event at Jan Platt Library : a Giving Tree Music Drum Circle on Monday, July 18th from 3:30 - 4:30. Connect our Global Community through Music! Drumming in a group can spark joy in an individual. We provide the drums; all you need to bring is yourself. Sing, drum, dance and laugh as we explore the magic of community and teamwork. We will learn traditional songs and stories, and how to "talk" to each other with our drums.

Check out this awesome Giving Tree Music Drum Circle video:



Go to the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library webpage and click on Events calendar (on the right side of the page) to see more summer events for teens on Mondays and Thursdays.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Tokyo-a-Go-Go hits Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library

JBK teens kicked off their Summer Reading programs as the first stop for the Tokyo-a-Go-Go teen summer program. The JBK Teen Anime/Manga Club held a special event on June 9, which incorporated wide range of activities, including

Sumo Wrestling photos

Your Name in Japanese

Screening a Few Anime Favorites


We also enjoyed a few Chopstick Races and fun snacks like pocky, fruit jellies and ramen.
Thanks to Youth Services for the fun activity ideas and to the Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library for their ongoing support for our teen programs!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MAD CITY MONEY!!



In this interactive reality budgeting game, teens are given a new occupation and salary which comes with obligations... Make choices about real life stuff, all while trying to not go broke!



Presented by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.




They will be here at the New Tampa Regional Library,
Fridays
July
1,8,15,22 & 29
2:oo pm

Midnighters: The Secret Hour



I absolutely loved the book Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfield. It has plenty of action, adventure , suspense, mystery, and basically, a little bit of everything. It starts when a 15-year old girl named Jessica Day moves from Chicago to the town of Bixby, Oklahoma. Other than some abnormal people and abnormal. things, like the taste of the water, Jessica thinks the town is pretty normal. But after waking up to a room bathed in blue, yet with no shadows, she quickly realizes it isn't. Jessica is plunged into the world of the 25th hour, a secret hour kept for monsters, aka Darklings. in the 25th hour, almost all humans and nay of thier creations are frozen, and it passes by in a split second for them. The ones who aren't frozen, the Midnighters, are blessed with special abilities, in the 25th hour. Dess is a polymath, someone with extraordinary math skills, which happens to be the Darklings weakness, along with technology. Rex is a Seer, someone who can read the ancient hidden history of the lore and Darklings. Melissa is a mindcaster, someone with telepathic abilities. And lastly, Jonathan (who ends up becoming Jessica's boyfriend), is an Acrobat. Gravity has no effect on him in the 25th hour. Up until Jessica arrived, the darklings haven't troubled any of them. After being attacked by the ruthless devils, they know that Jessica's power is really powerful, enough to scare the Darklings. For the sake of her life, Jessica teams up with the rest of the Midnighters to keep the Darklings at bay, and find out what her mysterious ability is. What happens next? you need to read this incredibly amazing book to find out. This book is definitely a 10 out of 10. The plot is awesome, filled with unexpected twists and mesmerizing details. You literally have to read all of the 383 pages in one sitting. Scott Westerfield is a mastermind, and this book is a must-read. The Midnighters is a trilogy, an it's also on of the few cases where the sequels are just as super as the original. You have to read this book!


Submitted by Sudha

New Tampa Regional

TAB

The Girl Who Could Fly




'The Girl Who Could Fly' sounds like a story packed with action, but it's a basically a feel-good story. The book is centered around a girl named Piper McCloud who believes that if you truly believe with your heat, you can do anything. In this book, 10-year old Piper McCloud lives with her old parents on a farm in Lowland County. Piper has never been given much freedom, and while the other folks think it's because she isn't right in the head, it's actually because Piper can fly. one day, after a series of unfortunate and disappointing events, Piper accidentally reveals her ability and instantly become world-wide news. Shortly afterwards, she gets a visit from a very caring, nice, and beautiful government agent. The agent, Dr. Letitia Hellion, comes with an exclusive invitation to join her school for kids with special abilities just like hers. Piper is then happily whisked away to I.N.S.A.N.E., where she meets 11 kids who have awesome super powers. She find her 11 year old enemy, Conrad, a mad genius, She also finds great friends like Violet, who has the power to shrink at will, and Bella Lovely, who can color anything at a touch. Through a series of fortunate (even though it didn't seem like it then) events, Piper realise that the facility isn't as perfect as she thought it was. She quickly learns that not everything is as it seems, and that anything worth having doesn't come without a fight. I would give this book a 8 out of 10. There were parts in this book where the author, Victoria Forester, couldn't added details. There were also parts where she couldn't expanded on what she was saying. There were also a part in this book where I was seriously confusee on whether the book took place in the past, present, or future. There was one really cheesy, but touching, part of the book, but it was bearable. I think Victoria Forest did a pretty good job portraying the characters of these kids. She was perfect as making the character's personality match their ability. For example, Bella, who had the power to spread color, was joyful, optimistic, kind, caring, and always smiling. Piper McCloud was portrayed as bubbly, optimistic and determined girl. She cared for others and wouldn't give up. This book didn't have much action, but it definitely had a lot of adventure. This book is long, but it's an easy read. Even though I think Victoria Forester could've done better on some parts, I still liked "The Girl Who Could Fly" and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun book.



Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library

TAB Member

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Metrocon is here again!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen! Florida's largest anime convention makes its return this weekend! This year's Human Chess Match's theme is Escalation: Monsters vs. Hunters. And the Fantasy Masquerade and Metro Star Parting will also take place during the weekend. All this and more right here in our own Tampa Bay Convention Center.

Metrocon Official Page

Friday, June 3, 2011

Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter



The book Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter is the tale of a 10-year old Billy Creekmore's unsual life. Able to sense ghosts and make up completely believable storeis since he was born, Billy's life has been a series of unfortunate events. As historical fiction, it follows Billy and details his life from the time he was born (Friday the 13th!) to his dream home, surrounded by people who love him. The book starts off in an orphanage run by the lazy and mean Beadles. Then, it goes to Holly Glen, a coal camp, where Billy lives with his aunt and uncle. Finally, it goes to circus after circus, as Billy meets new people and finds lost friends. Overall, I give book 4 stars. Since it's set in the 1900's, many of the characters and settings are modeled after real people or places of that time. This keeps the plot interesting. However, the author could've done a better job describing how Billy feels in some parts.




Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library TAB Member

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ENTER NOW! Teen Film Festival




Are you a filmmaker? Want an audience to see your movie on the big screen? Want to win a BIG, Best Picture prize?




Starting TODAY, June 1st, you can enter your movie in the first annual HCPLC Teen Film Festival! Teens entering grades 6-12 are welcome to enter. Your movie can be in any genre and can be up to ten minutes long (including credits).




Deadline for entries is July 31, 2011. The ten best movies will be screened at a special red carpet event, Saturday, August 13 at the John F. Germany Public Library! Prizes in several categories will be awarded, including Best Picture... and the Best Picture winner will receive a $200 gift card!




Entries can be submitted at your local HCPLC library location OR by mail. For all the rules and the official entry form, click here!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Are You a Wimpy Kid?

Miss Jen, the Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney himself will announce the winners at the American Library Association Annual Conference on June 25, 2011.  Kids & teens 6-16 can enter until June 10, 2011, and all the details are here!

And if you're looking to get some inspiration from the original, you can pick up one of these Diary of a Wimpy titles at the library!


ps... this is what I look like as a wimpy kid, courtesy of http://www.wimpyourself.com/ --->

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

JBK Teen Anime/Manga Club Wins Free Stuf

The Teen Anime/Manga Club at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library is small but active, and this month they were pretty lucky too!

RightStuf.com's Stuf for Clubs program sends us a monthly email newsletter that gives us news about upcoming anime. Stuf for Clubs also hosts a monthly giveaway drawing for clubs that respond back to their poll question. In April, the winner was Jimmie B. Keel!

We answered the question "Which anime series features your favorite opening or ending theme?" with the teens' pick, the series "Paranoia Agent."

Our reward for being the lucky winners of the April drawing... a free copy of the Super Gals Complete Collection (Seasons 1 & 2).

Needless to say, our teens were pretty excited to win!

Want to check out the Teen Anime/Manga Club at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library? Drop by on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. Or check here for an anime club at a library near you!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Summer fun for teens!

Looking for some summer fun AND learning? Check out the Money Adventures Camp offered by Hillsborough County Extension for teens 13-16!

 
The camp will feature hands-on learning activities dealing with credit, banking, car buying, and job searches & interviewing. The camp will also include fun afternoon field trips for more information

 
Not only will you learn about money management, you will also get to go on exciting field trips!
  • Bowling
  • MOSI
  • IMAX
  • Miniature Golf
For more info and the registration form, visit http://tampabaysaves.ifas.ufl.edu/.

 
And if you're looking for more ideas on money management for teens, pick up one of these books at your local library:




 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

School's almost out...




Summer. It's almost here. It's so close you can taste it. All that stands in the way are those last few school projects... and finals. The library can help you breeze through the next month and those last few tests.


Check out our Homework Help page for lots of useful links. We can help you cite papers, find great sources, and more.


Taking the SAT or ACT soon? Try Learning Express Library for practice SAT & ACT tests to help you ace those exams. Use your library card number to log on from home.


Sleeping in, days at the beach-- you're almost there! Good luck, and keep an eye on teens.hcplc.org for lots of fun, free events happening at your library this summer.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Read 'em now: Teens' Top Ten nominations!




Did you know that today is Support Teen Literature Day? Well, it is! Do your part by helping YALSA select books for the Teens' Top Ten List. Click here to see a list of the 25 nominated titles. Read them this summer, and then vote for your favorites during Teen Read Week in October. By the way, I highly recommend the short story collection ZOMBIES VS. UNICORNS. You may be surprised who wins. Just sayin'.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Who said there's no such thing as a free ride?!?!?!?

Looking for a way to get around this Spring Break?

HART's Spring Break STAY-cation program offers middle and high school students with student ID FREE rides on all HART local, Connector, In-Town Trolley and Flex routes for the entire month of April.

How's that for a great way to get to your library (and other attractions) for some great teen programs, books & DVDs this Spring Break!

THIS SATURDAY! Teen Talent Show Finals!

GRAND FINALE!
Saturday, April 9th @ 3:00 PM

John F. Germany Public Library, downtown Tampa


See the winners from our five regional library Teen Talent Shows compete for big prizes and bragging rights. Who are the most talented teens in Hillsborough County?

Find out at the Teen Talent Show: GRAND FINALE!


Need directions to the John F. Germany Library? Click here!


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

THIS WEEKEND! Teen Talent Shows!


Come to the library and cheer on your friends at our upcoming Teen Talent Shows! The winners of each show (middle and high school divisions) will be invited to the grand finale at the John F. Germany Library downtown on April 9th. Cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!

Bloomingdale Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 3:00 PM

New Tampa Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

West Tampa Branch Library: Saturday, April 2 @2:00

GRAND FINALE!
John F. Germany Public Library - Saturday, April 9 @3:00 PM

Monday, March 21, 2011

Into art?


Are you an artist? Show off your creativity at the library. Whether you work with paints, pens, or computers, we've got a program for you. Need more info? Click here for our event calendar.

Cyber Creations Club @ Bloomingdale Regional Library - Mondays at 4:00 PM

Teen Mural Painting @ Southshore Regional Library - Mondays at 6:00 PM

Art & Animation After School @ C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library - Wednesdays at 3:00 PM

Crafty Creations @ Town N Country Regional Library - Thursday, March 31 at 4:00 PM

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Save the Date : Skype Author Chat for Teens with Pam Bachorz



Pick up a copy of CANDOR at our Teen Book Club display @ Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
3910 S. Manhattan Ave.
Tampa, FL 33611-1214
813.273.3652

In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, Oscar Banks has found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages that turn even the most troubled kids into model citizens. On the outside, he's the perfect Candor teen, and no one knows that he's built an entire business around helping new kids escape before the Messages take hold.

But then Nia Silva moves to town, and Oscar thinks she's perfect exactly the way she is. Soon he must make a choice: let Nia be lost to the brainwashing, or help her stay special and risk himself in the process.

Read the first chapter, see photos of settings that inspired CANDOR, and listen to music that gives you the flavor of the story at the author's website.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Teen Tech Week is here!


It's Teen Tech Week at the library! Stop by to Mix and Mash music, edit a Viral Video, create Digital Manga, and more. Don't forget to participate in our SUPER SMASH BROTHERS BRAWL Tournament, Saturday, March 12th. Click for program dates and participating library locations.

Friday, March 4, 2011

March Teen Events @ Jan Platt Regional Library (South Tampa)



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Hi ! I’m John, a librarian at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library in South Tampa. I'm writing today to tell you about our programs for teens (middle and high-school) at the library this month (March, 2011).



On Wednesday this week we had an Origami event. The event was a big blast; we made the cat mask, the swan, the peacock, and the flapping crane. If you missed it this week we will have another origami event this summer.

On Thursday we had our first “Om Café,” an international multi media exploration dedicated to the United Nations Year of the Youth. We had great conversations, artistic explorations, coffee, chai, sweets and more. This great program is part of a series and will be meeting the first Thursday of the month through June. Each “Om Café” meeting will focus on a different Spotlight Value. Come and join the conversation!


On Thursday March 10th: Make your own mash-ups for Teen Tech Week using music downloaded from our new music database Freegal. Learn how to mix and mash your music using Audacity audio editing software.




Our next Teen Advisory Board meeting is on Saturday March 19th at 3pm. Have ideas for teen events and clubs at the library? Bring them to share! Enjoy snacks, laughter and fun while planning events and creating videos, podcasts, photos and more. TAB members also earn community service hours for graduation and scholarships!

Directly after our TAB meeting we have our Teen Book Club (pick up your copy today @ Jan Platt Library!) We will be hanging out and discussing Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, winner of the 2011 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

Our GameZone meets on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15pm. Play Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 at the library on our large projection screens. Some of our video games titles are: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero Series and Rock Band. See you after school for some gaming fun!

On Wednesdays, March 16th and 30th from 4:30—5:30 pm our Teen Anime/Manga Club will be meeting and screening Anime titles and talking about all things Anime/Manga.

On Wednesdays, March 9th and 23rd from 4:30 - 5:30 pm we have our Teen "Go" Board Game Club. Come learn and play one of the oldest games in the world: the ancient East Asian board game “Go.” A popular Anime/Manga series called “Hikaru No Go” has made many very curious about how to play the game. Now you can learn and play with your friends. The rules are simple, the strategy complex. Learn in minutes, play for a lifetime.

We also have our Teen Talent Show this month on March 26th! Read all about it and sign up today at Jan Platt Library to be in the show! Space in limited, do not delay! Click here for more info on Teen Talent Shows at libraries around Hillsborough this month!