Young Adults blog posts

Free Comic Book Day and a program at Schlow

Nathaniel — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:53:00 -0400

Saturday, May 4th is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!

Free Comic Book Day occurs on the first Saturday in May where participating comic book stores around the world give away FREE comic books to anyone who enters the store!

The Comic Swap in State College is a participating store.

For click here for more information.

Schlow will be holding a Draw Your Own Comic program in our community room. Learn how to draw your own comic story with Jarod! For all ages, no drawing experience necessary-- just an imagination! Saturday May 4th, 2:00-3:00 in the Community room, first floor.

One more thing, swing by the Young Adult section here to check out our display of our favorite comic books and graphic novels!

Assault Prevention Series at Schlow

Nathaniel — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:38:00 -0400

It can be hard to think about what you might do if you found yourself in a physically threatening situation. However, a little preparation and knowledge can help you stay safe.

Schlow Library and Central PA Mixed Martial Arts are teaming up again to offer basic self-defense and assault prevention instruction.

Assault Prevention Series

Presented by Central PA Mixed Martial Arts

Sundays @ 3:30-4:30pm Schlow Community Room

Dates: April 7th, 21st, 28th

Please sign up at the ReferenceQuestions that you ask of library staff that require knowledge of the content of the collection or other resources such as those on the web. Sometimes you are referred to the answer, hence Reference. Reference can also refer to our reference materials that are often encyclopedic books that have many volumes and a concentrated number of facts and/or statistics. These materials usually have an overnight loan period so they are available in the library most of the time. Desk, refdesk@schlowlibrary.org, or call (814) 235-7816

Space is limited.

Centre County Reads Kickoff: Mexican Fiesta

Nathaniel — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:43:00 -0500

Mexian Fiesta!

Come in to meet other people around town who love books and the library. The Mexican Fiesta is the kickoff to this year's Centre County Reads Program. Unfamiliar with it? Check this link to learn more.

The 2013 Centre County Reads selection, Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros, is full of the sights, sounds and smells of Mexico City. Celebrate Mexican culture with activities, crafts, music and more.

There will be copies of Caramelo and The House on Mango Street(the shorter companion book) available for check out.

FUN FOR ALL AGES! Seriously. We have music and food.

Details

When: March 16th, 2013 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Where: Schlow Centre Region Library Community Room

T(w)een Tech Week 2012: Tech Days Days Challenge

Nathaniel — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:21:00 -0500

T(w)een Tech Week 2013: Tech Days Challenge

Complete 4 Tech Tasks to get up to 4 Schlow Bucks &
use then to buy books from our ongoing book sale.

Details:

One Schlow Buck for each activity completed to use at the Book Sale! Bring your completed form (forms available in the YA area) to the ReferenceQuestions that you ask of library staff that require knowledge of the content of the collection or other resources such as those on the web. Sometimes you are referred to the answer, hence Reference. Reference can also refer to our reference materials that are often encyclopedic books that have many volumes and a concentrated number of facts and/or statistics. These materials usually have an overnight loan period so they are available in the library most of the time. Desk before March 18th to pick up your Schlow Bucks!

Tasks:

A. Email a photo of your favorite book(s) to teens@schlowlibrary.org!

B. Download a song from Freegal or e-zine from Zinio!

C. Checkout an ebook or e-audiobook!

D. Find Schlow online at schlowlibrary.org, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,or the TeenBlog!

Centre County Reads 2013

Nathaniel — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:20:00 -0500

The Centre County Reads book for 2013 is Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros.

The shorter companion book is The House on Mango Street.

You can go to the Centre County Reads website for a list of the events. Some of these include a kick off party, writing contest, and a visit from Sandra Cisneros herself.

Center County Reads website

We now have many new copies of each book on display near the ReferenceQuestions that you ask of library staff that require knowledge of the content of the collection or other resources such as those on the web. Sometimes you are referred to the answer, hence Reference. Reference can also refer to our reference materials that are often encyclopedic books that have many volumes and a concentrated number of facts and/or statistics. These materials usually have an overnight loan period so they are available in the library most of the time. Desk. Come on in to Schlow and check them out.

Blind Date With A Book

Nathaniel — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 15:08:00 -0500

Come in and take a look at February's Teen book Display.

Discover something new!

Too Young to Date? Or

Did your last date not go so well?

Take a risk! Check out a book from the description on the cover.

No peeking!

Tell us how your blind date went by leaving a (PG-13 only please!) comment on

the cover of the book!

Hope You Have A Great Blind Date!

A Royal Evening with Ella Enchanted

Nathaniel — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:16:00 -0500

For tween-agers, come chat with new friends, talk about Ella Enchanted (book or movie), learn proper etiquette when meeting the Queen, and decorate a crown to take home. Even if you haven't read the book, feel free to come anyway, and bring a prince or princess with you!

Registration is requested, please email teens@schlowlibrary.org.

Winter Blast Reading Challenge

Nathaniel — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:34:00 -0500

The Tween/Teen Winter Blast Reading Challenge is here!

Grades 5 to 12 can read and record at least 20 books and turn in the completed form, available at the referenceQuestions that you ask of library staff that require knowledge of the content of the collection or other resources such as those on the web. Sometimes you are referred to the answer, hence Reference. Reference can also refer to our reference materials that are often encyclopedic books that have many volumes and a concentrated number of facts and/or statistics. These materials usually have an overnight loan period so they are available in the library most of the time. desk, to win one Schlow Buck.

A Schlow Buck can be used to buy anything in our book sale.

Turn in your form before April 1st, 2013.

Things to do at Schlow!

Nathaniel — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:30:00 -0500

Hi.

I just wanted to remind you all that teens are welcome to join clubs at Schlow.

Go Club meets every Saturday from 1-5.

Knitting Club meets every 1st and 3rd Monday at 6:30.

Embroidery club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 6:30.

Clubs

Good Books (a link to a list)

Nathaniel — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:57:00 -0500

This list of books is supposed to be a list of good gift ideas for teens from adults. But I think it is a pretty good list. If you want to take matters into your own hands, Schlow has many of these books so come on in if they look good to you. Unless someone gives them to you for Christmas.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/gallery/2011/dec/07/booksforchildrenandteenagers-teen-books

What does the library mean to you?

Nathaniel — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:24:00 -0500

People ask us librarians about the future of paper books all the time. In conversations with friends and people we have just met, we find ourselves talking about the future of books and libraries quite a lot. There is a lot of disagreement. I have my opinions, of course, but I am from a particular time and place. I have my memories and also knowledge of ebooks and ereaders.

But it occurred to me that one of the ways to gain insight into this question is to ask you, our teenaged patrons. I am sure you've heard the tired expression about being the future. It might be tired, but it is true. Libraries serve all ages, but if the questions are about what to do in the future and where we are going, then it is the younger patrons that can provide us some of the most interesting answers.

Teenagers have grown up with a lot of amazing book related technology and often understand it better than adults. Though it may not feel like it sometimes, many products and places are designed with you in mind. Libraries shouldn't be any different. We want you to like it here, now and in the future.

What we want to know is what format of books you like reading (on what device?) and what you think libraries are and should be. Do you like ebooks better than paper books? Do you think libraries should be full of paper books or have more room to study and work? Should a library be silent or allow conversation? Does the format of the book you want depend on what it is for? Maybe you like paper books to study from and ebooks for fun. Why do you like to come here? I don't know for sure. But I would like to.

While this is not a formal survey, we would like to know how our patrons feel about libraries and what they want to see here.

Please comment with your thoughts!

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Nathaniel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:26:00 -0500

Join us at the State Theatre this weekend to see the classic film version of The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. Admission is only one dollar! It’s at 1 p.m. on Sunday the 21^st. Dr. Jim West, a distinguished English professor at Penn State will be introducing the film (in the style of Robert Osborne from Turner Classic Movies). We’ll also be announcing the winners of the Dashiell Hammett writing contest. Come and see who will win the $200 cash prize for the best Hammett-inspired writing. And there will be food! A reception will follow the movie and everyone is invited. How do the book and the film compare? Come and find out on Sunday.

Another chance to solve the crime

Nathaniel — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:16:00 -0500

Everyone seemed to have a great time at the murder mystery kickoff event! I didn’t know we had so many aspiring detectives in State College. Some of you really grilled our suspects to find the identity of the murderer. The Daily Collegian covered the event and wrote a nice article about it. If you couldn’t make the event at Schlow, you’ll have another chance to test your powers of deduction tomorrow at the Centre Hall Library. Drop in any time (Tuesday the 26^th) and you can investigate the clues to solve the murder. Intrigue awaits you!

Murder at the Kickoff Event!

Nathaniel — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:43:00 -0500

A murder has been committed-- are you ready to solve it?

This Thursday (the 21^st) at 7 p.m., Centre County Reads will kick off our 2010 program season with a murder mystery party at Schlow Centre Region Library. In honor of this year’s reading selection, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, you will have the chance to use your best detective skills to investigate the clues, interview the suspects and figure out the identity of the murderer. There will be food and prizes to encourage your inquiring mind.

The crime: A cranky, anti-teen, music librarian was somehow put in charge of organizing a battle of the bands concert at the library for high school students, even though she thinks that rock and roll was “a collection of loud vulgarities and as such the enemy of civilized culture.”

She’s found dead in the meeting room.

The suspects: Teen-aged musicians with discipline problems, a librarian scorned and left out of the planning committee, the young adult librarian who saw her great programming idea taken over by a “wicked witch,” and several other suspicious characters.

Join us on Thursday to figure out who-done-it!

Centre County Reads announces the 2010 book

Nathaniel — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:46:00 -0500

Ready to read and discuss with all your friends and neighbors? This year Centre County Reads' book selection is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. This classic mystery started off the hardboiled detective fiction genre. It's an action-packed book with great characters. We've got a lot of exciting events planned this year, starting with our kickoff event at Schlow Library at January 21st at 7 p.m. It's an interactive murder mystery where you get to be the detective and solve the crime. We'll also be showing the classic film with Humphrey Bogart at the State Theatre on February 21st. Visit our website for more information and stay tuned for updates here!

www.centrecountyreads.org

The sky's the limit

Nathaniel — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:45:00 -0400

I hope many of you are reading the Breakfast Serial, Reading the Sky in the Centre Daily Times. It started me looking at the sky and realizing what a beautiful sky we have in Centre County. Almost every day we have big fluffy clouds and, when it rains, we have big fluffy dark clouds. Anyway, back to the story, if you haven't been reading it and want to catch up, we have a hard copy of the story at Schlow Library. If you are reading it, I hope they catch up to that little girl soon! Let me know if you like it. If you do, try other books by Avi.
As I said before, I found a few other books with "clouds" in the titles, so I decided to read those. Clouds Without Rain is an Amish mystery that starts with a tragic truck/buggy accident. Of course, all is not what it seems and is sorted out in the end.
I also started The Theory of Clouds. I like this because it has an interesting back story about the first person, Luke Howard, who classified clouds the way we do today with cumulus, stratus and cirrus designations. I like it when a book takes me into new fields and I get to learn more about them. Sometimes I just read with my computer next to me so I can find out more about the subject.
Summer Reading is in full swing. Join a program (for children, teens or adults) at your local library or get some paperbacks at your local bookstore. Books are still your most portable entertainment and they don't require batteries!
Keep reading,
Pat
Schlow Librarian

Reading the sky

Nathaniel — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:03:00 -0400

We all know that I will read anything but even I hadn't thought about reading the sky until I started the new Breakfast Serial in Sunday's Centre Daily Times. Jamie, the main character, not only sees images in the clouds, he sees entire stories. Right then, I started watching the sky and it has been especially beautiful this week. (okay, yes, it was blue and white and we know what that means). But, WOW, there were the biggest fluffiest clouds I have ever seen! My response to that was to pick up a couple of cloud books from the library. Then, reading the news, I saw that the Cloud Appreciation Society (http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/) was thinking there should be a new cloud category. (http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/june-09/). So, clouds are everywhere this month.

If you are looking for something to read, here are some "cloud" books. A new title is The Theory of Clouds by Stephane Audeguy, which chronicles the search for the fabled Abercrombi Protocol, the only copy of a mythical cloud catalog. Mage of Clouds by S.L. Farrell is the second in a fantasy series called Cloudmages. Sara Donati wrote Lake in the Clouds, an historical novel following the lives of the Bonner family in the early 1800's. If you like mysteries, try Clouds without Rain, an Ohio Amish Mystery by P.L. Gaus. In all of these books, it is interesting to find out what the title means and how clouds relate to the stories in different ways.

Read often and everywhere.
Pat

Reading the newspaper

Nathaniel — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:48:00 -0400

I have a netbook and a Kindle. I could read any number of newspapers on either one of those. But I love to read the hard copy of the newspaper and, because I live in State College, that daily newspaper is the Centre Daily Times. It arrives with a thump at my front door and, in case I don't hear that, my two dogs raise a big ruckus to let me know that someone has thrown something at our house. One time, the paper deliverer wrapped some dog treats in the paper, but that never stopped them from barking. My husband and I compete as to who will get the paper first. Whoever gets it, carries it around with them until they are ready to read it. If you put it down, it is fair game. We both like the front section and usually read interesting tidbits to each other. Then we might get into a heated discussion about that issue. The letters to the editor often raise one of those issues. He reads the sports section, but I just want the comics and the crossword puzzle. I read comics online and I even get Calvin & Hobbes in my email every day, but I still prefer to read them in the paper. My favorite part of the paper is definitely the crossword - I tried doing it online (it is the same one), but it is not the same! You can just delete your mistakes as if you never made any. I do my crossword in ink and then I have to write over it when I'm wrong. That is half the challenge and makes you far more hesitant to actually write down an iffy answer. FYI - there is a blog for the LA crossword - it is really neat to read if you still don't know what the answer meant after you fill it in. (just Google LA crossword blog).

So, coming this Sunday, the Centre Daily Times will be publishing the Centre County Reads Breakfast Serial. It fills all the requirments for a great newspaper experience - looking forward to the next installment, sharing the story with your family, competing to get it first, and reading the best parts out loud. The story, Reading the Clouds, is a mystery about a previous news story that you might remember - when someone jumped out of an airplane with a significant amount of money and disappeared. So, I hope you will add this to your list of summer reading adventures. If you miss a chapter, we keep a copy of story at the library. And let us know what you think about it.

Most of all, keep reading. Summer Reading is the best kind!
Pat

Three day reading weekend

Nathaniel — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:42:00 -0400

A 3-day reading weekend is coming up. Hope you all have laid in a big supply of reading materials along with your grill and sports equipment. I have my Kindle book to listen to and, if I run out of reading material, I can fairly quickly download another book. Maybe I should get one now, just in case.

I just finished listening to Elsewhere while I was traveling to two different workshops in Clarion and in Carlisle. That is a young adult title about a young girl who is hit by a car and killed. Remember, I was driving in my car when I started listening to this and was pretty horrified. The only thing that kept me listening was the fact that I didn't have anything else with me! That should teach me to travel with a back up. I haven't connected my Kindle to the car but I think I have everything I need to do that. Anyway, Elsewhere turns out to be a pretty delightful story about her "life" after death in Elsewhere.

Oh, yes. I was reading a knitting mystery (who knew there were mysteries for every walk of life - my other book this weekend was a tea shop mystery) and was inspired to start knitting again. I think I will just try a scarf because I had to give my other scarf to the new puppy at my daughter's house. I have the yarn, but just one needle. I'll let you know if I get any farther than that. It might interfere with my reading.

I encourage you all to get to a bookstore or library and stock up on reading material! The libraries are closed this weekend and you don't want to run out.

Keep reading,

Pat

Kindle anyone?

Nathaniel — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:36:00 -0400

I love to read - no surprise there, so for my birthday, I asked for a Kindle. That is the e-reader from Amazon that can wirelessly download books (from Amazon, of course). I was surprised to discover that I love reading on the Kindle. It is lightweight, easy to navigate and the screen and e-ink are easy on my eyes. I read a lot, so I can't really afford to read every book on the Kindle (but I would, if I could), so I will still be checking out library books to keep myself in reading material.

How many other Kindles are here in the Centre County? I know you can find lots of contacts around the country. How many Kindlers are right here?

Summer reading is coming soon!

Pat

Free books

Nathaniel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:29:00 -0400

If you are involved with a reading group and would like up to 10 copies of Perspolis for your group, give me a heads up. Now that our program is over, we have more copies than we need. They are housed at Schlow Library, so email me if you are interested (pgriff@schlowlibrary.org).

Of course, books at the libraries are always free (as long as you get them back on time ;-)

How many of you listen to audiobooks? Do you download them? Do you know the libraries have audiobooks to download for free? The most popular titles right now include Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. What are "outliers"? The best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. What makes them different?

The other most popular title is Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell. This is the 16th book in the Kay Scarpetta series, about a medical examiner who helps find serial killers. If you haven't read them, the first book in the series is Postmortem.

What did you read today?

Pat, the Schlow Librarian

Meet the author - save the dates

Nathaniel — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:47:00 -0400

Two authors will be visiting State College this month. First, Marilynne Robinson, author of Housekeeping, the 2009 Community Read book at Penn State, will be at the State Theatre on April 17th at 7:00 PM. If you read her book, I know you will be interested in hearing her take on what it all meant. This event is sponsored by the Penn State Center for American Literary Studies - http://www.cals.psu.edu. There is still one more public book group discussion before the author visit at 102 Kern Building on April 9, from 7-8 PM on the Penn State campus.

The second visit will be with Alexandra Fuller. author of Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight - an African Childhood. She will be discussing the impact of the oil and gas boom on Wyoming. This will take place at 26 Hosler Building at 4 PM on Monday, April 20th.

Both of these visits are free and open to the public.

Schlow Library is now publishing a list of new additions to the collection on the website. Go to schlowlibrary.org/adults to connect to the new list.

I am finally reading the first book on Sookie Stackhouse. She is the human who connects with a vampire in the Charlaine Harris series. I have liked all of Ms. Harris' characters and Sookie is no exception. She is tough, self-reliant and yet flawed. Even if you are not a member of the vampire genre fan club, you might still enjoy Sookie. The first book in that series is Dead Until Dark.

What are you reading?

Pat

Moving on from Persepolis

Nathaniel — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:17:00 -0400

The 2009 Centre County Reads Persepolis program ended with a Happy Nowruz gathering at Barnes and Noble on Sunday, March 22. There were beautiful Persian rugs and delicious cookies. The kids painted eggs and stamped greeting cards for Spring. Everyone had a great time. Now it is time to move on to our Spring reading!

I see that the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency has made it to the small screen (HBO). It sounds like they have done a good job with the series. If you have HBO, let me know. I think the books are usually better with more background and character development, so if you have also read the books, tell us how the tv series compares. In case you don't know, these books are written by Alexander McCall Smith and he has written about 40 of them, so read one while you are waiting for the next episode.

If you like nonfiction, you might like The Lost City of Z by David Grann. The author follows in the footsteps of an earlier adventurer, Percy Fawcett, who disappeared in 1925, along with his son, while searching the Amazon for the City of Z. This one sounds like a winner.

The Centre County Reads committee will be meeting on April 14 at 9 AM at Schlow Library to discuss our next project, which will be a Breakfast Serial in the Centre Daily Times. Members of the community are welcome to join the committee or send input through this blog or to centrecountyreads@gmail.com

Remember to keep reading

Pat Griffith - Schlow Librarian

Another Football Weekend!

Nathaniel — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:09:00 -0400

It's another football weekend here in Happy Valley, so while you are waiting for the game to start--drop in to pick up a book, music cd, or even a movie! You can take them along to the tailgate, or us...

It’s Winter Time!

Nathaniel — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:22:00 -0500

Winter has officially arrived in Happy Valley with cold temperatures, snow, and sleet! Visit us and grab a few books or music to curl up with as you travel this holiday season. They can be...