Welcome to the Swampscott Public Library Teen Area

Sandy Moltz, Young Adult Librarian

Lee Golomb Cadiff Teen Poetry Contest

We are proud to announce The 8th Annual Lee Golomb Cadiff Teen Poetry Contest. To enter, you must live in Swampscott, MA or attend a school located in Swampscott, MA. The contest is for 7th – 12th grade students. CASH AND OTHER PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS. Entry form is below and will also be available at local schools, and at the library. YOU CAN ENTER AS MANY POEMS AS YOU LIKE.
Poems must be submitted by February 23, 2012. Please call the library 781-596-8867 for further information.

SWAMPSCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE 8th LEE GOLOMB CADIFF TEEN POETRY CONTEST

To enter, you must live in Swampscott, MA or attend a school located in Swampscott, MA. The contest is for 7th – 12th grade students. CASH AND OTHER PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNERS.
RULES: Poem must be an original work that you wrote.
Poem should be no longer than 40 lines.

Name:

E-mail address:

Street address:

City, State and Zip Code:

Phone:

School:

Grade:

Poem Title:

Please attach 2 copies of your poem, 1 with your name on it & 1 without your name, to this entry form and drop off or mail to the Swampscott Public Library, 61 Burrill Street, Swampscott, MA 01907. Call the library at 781-596-8867 for further information. All entries must be submitted by Thursday, February 23, 2012. Winners will be notified by March 31, 2012. The awards ceremony will be held in April at the Swampscott Public Library during National Poetry Month.

The Teen Poetry Contest is possible through the assistance of Mrs. Norma Cadiff Finn, Friends of the Swampscott Public Library, the Swampscott Middle School and Swampscott High School, and the Tin Box Poets.

Teen Programs for January & February

TEEN BOOK CLUB Thurs. Jan. 5th 5:30pm-6:30pm
The world’s loudest book group will discuss The Naming by Alison Croggon. New members wanted!

**TEEN ADVISORY BOARD Wed. Jan. 18th 6:00pm
Are you in 5th through 12th grade? Full of opinions about how the Swampscott Public Library could be better? Want to give orders to the Young Adult Librarian? Come to the Wednesday, January 18th 6pm meeting!
Why join?
• COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT
• LOOKS GOOD ON COLLEGE APPLICATION
• GET PROGRAMS YOU WANT!
We will serve FREE DINNER. Bring some friends with you to the meeting. No registration required.

Thursday, FEB. 2nd 5:30pm to 6:30pm Teen Book Club You can choose from two titles for February, both by Gennifer Choldenko. You can read Al Capone Does My Shirts or Al Capone Shines My Shoes. New members wanted.

Wednesday, Feb. 8th 6:00pm dessert decorating class

Austin Sagan will teach you how to decorate all kinds of baked goods. Yum! We supply the treats; you bring your creativity and appetite.

Wednesday, FEB.15th 6:00pm Teen Advisory Board Meeting It is your chance to plan upcoming library programs, including a gaming night and a mystery play. Free dinner and community service credits, too!
You’re busy so we are promising that meetings will end by 7:00pm. Funprograms will still run longer.
Why join?

TELL THE LIBRARY WHAT YOU’D LIKE
MEET OTHER KIDS
COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT
LOOKS GOOD ON COLLEGE APPLICATION
GAIN LEADERSHIP SKILLS
HELP LOCAL CHARITIES AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS
FREE FOOD

These activities made possible by federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Support for HOPE FOR CREATIVITY

The Swampscott Public Library Teen Advisory Board will be collecting art supplies for local charity Hope for Creativity throughout the month of February. Hope for Creativity puts together art packs for homeless children. For the entire wish list of supplies, see the website:
http://hopeforcreativity.org/uploads/wish_list_full_page.pdf The Teen Board will have a collection box in the library lobby and is asking for support from local schools.

I, Robot!

Photos from the Swampscott Public Library Teen Robot Program

Thank you to everyone who attended the I, Robot program lastnight. Daniel J. Braunstein, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Mechanical Engineering talked about the robots in his program and the designing of robots, show video of MIT 2.007 Robot Competition and brought some gizmos.

And here’s a list of Robot Books for some fun reading with robots:

ISAAC ASIMOV I, ROBOT PLUS MANY, MANY MORE
DOUGLAS ADAMS THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (PLUS THE REST OF THE SERIES)
OSAMU TEZUKA ASTRO BOY
FREDRIK POHL GATEWAY
ANDRE NORTON ANDROID AT ARMS
CHARLES STROSS SATURN’S CHILDREN
KAREL CAPEK R.U.R.
RAY BRADBURY “ELECTRIC GRANDMOTHER”
JOE HALDEMAN FOREVER PEACE
BRIAN SELZNICK INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET
RUDY RUCKER ALL 4 BOOKS OF THE WARE TETRLOGY
DIANA WYNNE JONES TALE OF TIME CITY
ROBERT SILVERBERG POSITRONIC MAN
ROGER ZELAZNY “FOR A BREATH I TARRY”
ARTHUR C. CLARKE 2001
PHILIP K. DICK DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP?
JOHN CUSICK GIRL PARTS
JACLYN DOLAMORE MAGIC UNDER GLASS
KATE MILFORD THE BONESHAKER
KEVIN BROOKS BEING
AMY THOMSON VIRTUAL GIRL
LESTER DEL REY THE RUNAWAY ROBOT
MALCOLM ROSE THE TRACES SERIES
FRED SABERHAGEN BERSERKER
ROBERT HEINLEIN “GAY DECEIVER”
ANTHONY BOUCHER “Q.U.R.” AND “ROBINC”
HARRY BATES “FAREWELL TO THE MASTER”
TOM GODWIN “THE GOD BETWEEN”

School Daze: Navigating the College Application Process

We have copies of the handouts from the program at the library. See the college book display, which will be up through the end of October.

Thank you to all our speakers.

Unfortunately, Ms. Joanna Ganci was ill and could not attend last night’s program. Here is her handout:
Joanna Ganci, English Teacher
Swampscott High School
I Was A Teenage Application Zombie !
Waking from the College Application Nightmare

Most colleges will require that you get three references. Most schools desire that one or two of those three recommendations are written by an “academic” teacher. Academic, in this case, means one of your core subjects: English, math, science, or history. If you are interested in studying engineering in college, it would make sense that you ask a math or science teacher to write you a letter. You may also ask teachers from any other subjects, guidance counselors, coaches, principals, and assistant principals to write additional recommendations. You should ask teachers with whom you have a good relationship. Your grades are not the only area that a teacher will address; in fact, your grades are often of less importance than your character, effort, and potential. If your teacher does not feel she can write you a detailed, favorable recommendation, ask someone else. Don’t give up.

You want to ask those writing you the recommendations as early as possible. Be courteous and give that person as much time as you can so she can write you a good letter. The beginning of your senior year is a good time to begin asking. When you have your final list of schools, give the following materials, neatly placed in school-specific folders, to the recommender(s):
􀀹
Copies of application forms that need to be completed including teacher evaluation form
􀀹
stamped/addressed envelopes
􀀹
resume
􀀹
copy of your transcript
􀀹
due date for materials
􀀹
any additional information you feel is necessary for the writer

A thank you note is a great way to show your appreciation to the person who wrote you the recommendation.

Great Tips for Writing Your College Admissions Essay
Write as you speak. The purpose of the essay is to show the admissions committee the real you, why you think and act the way you do, and what motivates you. So don’t write as if you are someone else, use stilted language, or gloss over how you really feel. Be authentic, not superficial. Use a relaxed, conversational style.
Be original. Too many essays use the same tired themes. For example, instead of showing yourself as a victim, focus on how you overcame the situation. You’re not running for Miss America, so avoid presenting your solutions to world peace and hunger. Remember that what bores you pretty much bores others.
Show genuine enthusiasm. Nothing draws a reader more than invigorating writing. Pick topics that excite you. Your enthusiasm will show.
Create some mystery. Begin with an introduction that surprises your readers and makes them want to read past the first paragraph.
Focus. Rather than describing everything you’ve done with your life, give a full description of one or two items or events. The magic is in the details.
Use active verbs. Action verbs make your essay more engaging than passive voice, which comes across as cold and detached.
Use short sentences and simple words. According to a recent study at Stanford University, individuals who use complicated language are viewed as less intelligent than individuals who use simpler, more concise language. You want your readers to understand your essay.
Courtesy of Gregory Lloyd www.back2college.com/admissionessay

WILL THE 2009-10 COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY TOPICS BE THE SAME?
Yes; the essay prompts will be the same. Check to see if your school uses the common application.
Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

The Horror! : You Don’t Need to Hire a Tutor
Writing your college admissions essay should not require that you hire a tutor. The reason that college admissions is asking you to write an essay in the first place is to see if you can write independently at the college level. Because there is the perception that students won’t get into college without an advantage, many parents are paying tutors to assist in the process. This is not necessary and may even be detrimental since it may be a false representation of a student’s abilities.
All writing benefits from revision; the college admissions essay is no exception. Do not wait until the day before your materials are due to begin the process. Know how many different essays you will have to write, and then spend at least a week on each one. This week should include the writing of a rough draft and any revisions that are necessary to make it a representation of your best work. Do not try to accomplish this task in one day. You need time to reflect and revise. You may also want to share your essay with a parent, a peer, or even a teacher who has the time to read your essay and give you constructive feedback. Your final draft should be free of grammatical and spelling errors, should be interesting and engaging, should reflect your writing style, and should fulfill the parameters of the question.
My BFF is, Like, Awesome: Comments on Style
Many critics argue that the advent of technologies like email and texting have caused the deterioration of more sophisticated elements of the writing process such as personal style. While many of you can consciously define your style when it comes to clothing, music, or even art, you cannot begin to define your writing style.
In your essay, your style will be reflected in the way you use language. Your grammar, sentence structure, and word choice will create this style as well as your level of formality or informality. Do not use the thesaurus function on your computer too often. If “use” is more natural and authentic to you than “utilize”, use (wink) “use.” If you don’t understand a word (and therefore may use it in the wrong context), don’t put it in your essay. At the same time, don’t be afraid to show off your understanding and appropriate use of all that vocabulary that you’ve learned in the last four years.
In addition, don’t be too informal. You are not writing an essay for a friend. These technologies have helped us be more efficient, but by using them we often sacrifice clarity and style. If you’re writing an essay about your best friend Julie, don’t refer to her as your “bff” unless it is used in dialogue to give the reader a sense of character.

High school students and parents are invited to a program Thursday, October 6th from 7:00pm to 8:15pm to learn about applying to colleges. Emily Zotto & Anna Skillings from Swampscott High School Guidance Department will give an overview of the process and explain the role of the Guidance Department. Joanna Ganci, from the Swampscott High School English Department, will give advice on writing essays & getting teacher recommendations. Lisa Talbot, Senior Account Representative-Sallie Mae will cover the financial angle. Brian Emerson, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing-Princeton Review, will cover standardized testing. Random House has donated books for door prizes. No registration is required.

Teen Advisory Board Update

The Swampscott Public Library Teen Advisory Board met last night and brainstormed ideas for the upcoming year. Sami Curren, Colleen Curtis, Michael Norcott, Claire Weaver-Zeman and Tiberius Weaver-Zeman all offered to serve as officers. The officers will assist the librarian in making sure that planned programs actually happen.

On the immediate agenda: Photoshop Elements Class, College Night, and I, Robot–MIT professor presentation. The teen book club is continuing and we’ll be trying re-vamped movie night with a Star Wars trilogy presentation.

Other ideas: bead and bracelet making program, cupcake decorating, retro gaming night–interactive history of gaming, charitable work, and proposed field trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art. Watch this space for more!!

Newest Wave 2011 Concert Photos

NEWEST WAVE!! Photos…

Flickr concert photos 2011

I’ve uploaded the photos from Saturday’s concert. Will link to local news articles later today!

Share Your Opinions! We know you have a lot to say…

We’ve started a blog called SwampscottTeenTalk

SwampscottTeenTalk

- a place for you to post YOUR films, YOUR reviews, YOUR writing, YOUR artwork…
To get a password to post your creations, please contact Sandy at the library – 781-596-8867 ext. 304 or moltz@noblenet.org.

Thank you for a great Teen Read Week 2010

Photos from our Blast from the Past program

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Teen Read Week programs. We are especially grateful to all the kids who came to our first Teen Advisory Board meeting. The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 14th at 6:00pm and we’ll be providing free food for all. New members are welcome.

Thank you to Whole Foods, Society for Creative Anachronism and Friends of the Swampscott Public Library for their support of Teen Read Week.

If you want more information about the Teen Advisory Board, please call Sandy 781-596-8867 extension 304.

Summer Programs

Beauty 101
Thursday July 22nd for 5th graders and up:

Thank you to everyone who helped with our Beauty 101 event. A special thank you to Boston Beauty Supply for donating the gift certificates, door prizes, and the goody bags full of samples for everyone. And a round of applause for our Boston Beauty Supply experts: Sue, Lina, and Inna. Thank you to Nikki at Zest Books for donating those great books for door prizes. And as always, THANKS to the Friends of the Swampscott Public Library who paid for our pizzas and made the program possible.

It Came From the Sea!

Thank you to all the bands who played at the Swampscott Public local teen band concert called It Came From the Sea! on Saturday, June 26th 4-9pm at Fisherman’s Beach in Swampscott. The bands who played: The Dirty Apples, The Informers, Angus in Drag, Orakular, The Scouflaws, WNFB, Urban Rangers, This Day in History, Fault & the Fidler, and Squad Room Antics. Flickr photos from the concert
and The Scouflaws and Swampscott Reporter article about the concert

Photos

COOKING WITH KATIE

Katie Wilton led a hands-on cooking class on July 22nd. You can see for yourself how delicious all of the recipes were: deviled eggs, pizza wontons, parmesan pita triangles, yogurt fruit shakes, and strawberries stuffed with cream cheese. It’s fun having a class where you learn and get to eat yummy stuff at the same time. We hope to have her come back some time in the futre.

SWAMPSCOTT CALLING: TEEN BAND CONCERT

The Swampscott Public Library local teen band concert, SWAMPSCOTT CALLING!, was held on Saturday, July 11th. A big thank you to the bands: Red Rock, Anything Goes, Soot, Exit Left, James Roseman, Calling Aviv, Handfulls of Happiness, The Anchors, 8th Brigade, Day Luge and Squad Room Antics. A special thank you to the Red Rock/Handfulls of Happiness folks who handled all the sound system work, the Swampscott Yacht Club for all kinds of assistance, the DPW, Fire and Police Departments, Newbury Comics for donating gift certificates for all the musicians, and the fans who came to hear everyone play.
Click here to see a slide show from the concert:
2009 Concert Pix

Common hosts book club

Common’s Corner Book Club
Musician Common is running an online book club for teens called The Corner Book Club. Check it out!

Go Donated by American Go Foundation

The American Go Foundation has donated a Go set to the Swampscott Public Library. If you know someone who is interested in playing or starting a Go Club, please contact Sandy, Young Adult Librarian, 781-596-8867.

The latest game craze from Japan is actually a 4,000 year old board game called Go. Thanks to the massive popularity of the Hikaru no Go manga (comic) in Shonen Jump, US kids are flocking to learn this timeless game. Teen Go clubs have formed across the nation.

The rules of Go are so simple they can be taught in a few minutes, but it can take a lifetime to master the game. Go is about five times more complex than Chess and is played professionally in China, Korea and Japan. Players compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money and big tournaments are televised to rapt international audiences.

Swampscott Library on Facebook

Swampscott Library on Facebook is the library Facebook page. We’ll use it to add events.

Dungeons & Dragons

Wizards of the Coast have donated a basic Dungeons & Dragons game to our library. If you and your friends would like to play, or set up a tournament, please contact Sandy, Young Adult Librarian, at swa@noblenet.org or 781-596-8867. Thank you to the Wizards of the Coast for their support of libraries.

Text from library catalog to your cell phone!

Let’s say you’ve searched the Swampscott Public Library catalog, and you’re viewing the record for a book you want. You could:

* Print it out, which is a waste of paper and toner
* Get a scrap of paper, find a pencil buried somewhere, write down the call number and hope you don’t misplace it
* OR Use our new feature for texting this information to your cellphone or BlackBerry

Simply click on the Send via Text Message button, enter your 10-digit number (no dashes), select your carrier, and click on the Send to Phone button. The message will contain all the information you need to retrieve the book at the Swampscott Public Library. You can even send the message to a friend or family member.

Carrier charges may apply. Happy texting.

Feel the Burn! Teen Band Concert

Swampscott
Library Concert 2008CLICK HERE FOR THE FLICKR CONCERT PIX FROM 2008 & EARLIER YEARS!

Thank you to all 10 bands who played at the June 2008 Swampscott Harbor Festival Teen Concert. And thank you to Red Rock for letting all the bands use their sound system.