Summer in the Library

Summer is almost here, and we’re working hard to come up with fun things for you do at the library.  Check the teen events calendar often for announcements of gaming events, movies, craft programs, and lots of other activities.  This year’s theme for the Summer Reading Program is “Metamorphosis @ Your Library” and it starts on June 15^th.  Transform yourself by reading or doing something new this summer. 

Here’s one new thing you can try:  we need summer volunteers to help us with the children’s summer reading program.  Call 1-866-57ASKUS or visit your local library to find out how you can help.

If you love to read or write, you should consider participating in the Young Adult Summer Reading Program.  Starting June 15^th, you can come to your local library to register.  Then, choose some reading or writing goals and keep track of your progress throughout the summer.  You can earn up to 3 free books for meeting your objectives.  Call 1-866-57ASKUS for more information.

Do you have any suggestions for things you’d like to see, do, or learn at the library?  If so, leave a comment.  We’d love to hear from you.

Sabine @ the Vacaville Public Library – Cultural Center

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Be the Change

Last week, on April 22, we celebrated Earth Day, the day set aside to recognize the beginning of the environmental movement 38 years ago. I’m going to go ahead and date myself by admitting that I was not only alive back then, but was an active teen environmentalist at a time when that wasn’t such a popular thing to be. Instead of throwing away a paper bag every day, I made my own cloth lunch bag to take to school. I volunteered at a fledgling recycling center, sorting glass, taking paper labels off empty cans to be smashed, and tying bundles of newspapers. I advocated for environmental change and awareness at every opportunity. For all this, I was labeled “tree hugger,” “nerd,” and “crazy hippie.” It was an exciting time!

Today, recycling bins are everywhere, the air is cleaner, water quality is much improved, and people are a lot more aware of the importance of taking care of the planet. It took the efforts of millions of “tree huggers” to get to this point and there is certainly more to be done. My point, though, is that people can make a difference, no matter their age or ability. So, what’s your cause? What stirs your soul? What changes do you want to see in your world?

Summer’s coming – a perfect time to get involved with a group of like-minded people and make a difference. Want to help find a cure for cancer or some other devastating disease? Try Team In Training, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, or the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Are you concerned about the health of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta? Save the Bay has all kinds of opportunities to restore the wetlands and even sponsors canoe and kayak trips. Just do a Google search for your cause, the word “volunteer,” and you’re sure to find an opportunity to “be the change.” You can make a difference!

Shellie @Springstowne

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Pining for Pets

I’m homesick. Last night I watched a movie that was filmed in 2000 in the neighborhood where I used to live. I remember all the trailers and equipment and chaos in our neighborhood at the time. I saw all the places that I used to go and I got homesick.

When I get homesick, I start thinking about my dog, Trojan, that died there and my cat, Kate, I had to give away to move here. I miss them both terribly. What is it about pets that pull the strings of our hearts so much? Why would we go to the ends of the earth for our pets?

I would like to read a book about someone’s pet. Can someone help me?  Suggest a good pet book; tell me a little about it and I will read it. I need to be in a place where I identify with the people again. Or tell me about your pets and why they are so special to you. What would you do if you had to move away and leave your pets behind?

Thanks,

Gayle @JFK

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Finding Good Poetry

Sarah’s blog entry about the poetry event in Fairfield has inspired me to think about poetry.  I can remember a few poems that touched me in some way, like Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning” and “Phenomenal Woman,” and Rudyard Kipling’s “The Thousandth Man,” but I must admit that I don’t read poetry often.  Here are a few good books (quick reads) that I’ve discovered recently:

Blue Lipstick:  Concrete Poems, by John Grandits – In this book, the words take a shape that illustrates the poem.  It’s fun to read, even if you think you hate poetry.

Baseball Haiku – If you like your poetry in short doses, try haiku.  The ones in this book are about baseball (it’s that time of year again).

The Spoken Word Revolution Redux, edited by Mark Eleveld – This book comes with a CD so that you can hear contemporary slam, hip-hop, and other types of poetry come to life.

You will find a lot of poetry books in the library.  The call number for American poetry is 811; For British poetry, try 821; Poems originally written in Spanish can be found at 861.  Browse the literature section (the 800s) in the Adult or Young Adult areas to find something you like.

You can find poetry online too, of course.  The Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry (a poetry database) is a good source for older poems and information about poets.  You can type in a few keywords, a title, or the name of a poet and find all kinds of poetry.  Go to http://solanolibrary.com/databases/. 

If you’re a poet, and you want to share your talent, contribute to Solano Teen Magazine.  We’d love to read your work. 

What are your favorites?

Sabine @ the Vacaville Public Library Cultural Center

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We all need a little stress relief!

Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not.  Some of you may have seen it already.  But don't give the secret away if you have.

Here is your dose of humor...
The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey , in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names... 
   
So:-
1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.

Cheers, Kevin

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