Area teens will be reading for the fun of it as schools, libraries and bookstores celebrate the ninth annual Teen Read Week, October 15 – 21, 2006. They join thousands across the country who are coming together to, "Get Active @ your library®." Teen Read Week is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association. This year’s theme encourages teens to use the library resources to lead active lives.
Judy Nelson, YALSA’s president, feels that "today’s teens seem to have less and less free time, and there are increasingly more activities for them to take part in during what little leisure time they have. That is why it’s important to encourage teens to set aside some time to read." Literacy is a topic of both local and national concern, and falling test scores and lower graduation rates among teens today are a serious issue.
Studies show a regular reading habit increases reading proficiency. Being around adults who are avid readers can counteract the latest statistics from The Nation’s Report Card (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard), which indicate that in homes across America the number of different types of reading materials has decreased, and a smaller percentage of seventeen-year-olds saw adults reading in their homes.
Teen Read Week is held annually during the third week of October.
Celebrate Teen Read Week at the Austin Public Library. The following programs will be held for young people aged 8 and over unless otherwise stated below:
Monday, October 16
A Movie @ Your Library: The Bourne Identity with Matt Damon.
6:00 p.m. Windsor Park Branch Wired For Youth Center, 5833 Westminster Dr., (512) 928-0333
Tuesday, October 17
Brazos the Librarian Reads Aloud: The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman.
4:00 p.m. Windsor Park Branch Wired For Youth Center, 5833 Westminster Dr., (512) 928-0333
Library Scavenger Hunt: 4:30 p.m. University Hills Branch Wired For Youth Center, 4721 Loyola Ln., (512) 926 – 4684
Wednesday, October 18
Altered Books @ APL: You begin with a book, whose usefulness, through no fault of its own, has expired, and transform it into a piece of art as individual and colorful as your secrets. One part recycling, one part creativity, and fun all over, this program represents a rare opportunity for teens aged 12-17 to come to the Library and be encouraged to ravage a volume in the interests of self-expression and renewal.
7:00 p.m. Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Rd., (512) 974-7372
"What's the Worst that Could Happen?" Play a trivia game based on the Worst Case Scenario Handbook, All Day, Ruiz Branch Wired for Youth Center, 1600 Grove Blvd., (512) 974-7518
YA (Young Adult) Book Club, recommended for teens aged 12-17
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey
7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, 2006, University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln., (512) 926-4684
Thursday, October 19
Altered Books @ APL: You begin with a book, whose usefulness, through no fault of its own, has expired, and transform it into a piece of art as individual and colorful as your secrets. One part recycling, one part creativity, and fun all over, this program represents a rare opportunity for teens aged 12-17 to come to the Library and be encouraged to ravage a volume in the interests of self-expression and renewal.
7:00 p.m. Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg, (512) 836-8975
7:00 p.m. Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr., (512) 345-4435
Thursday, October 19
YA (Young Adult) Book Club, recommended for teens aged 12-17
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey
7:00 p.m. Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition, (512) 472-3584
Friday, October 20
Guess the Number of Pieces of Candy!: Winner will be Drawn @ 4:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Windsor Park Branch Wired for Youth Center, 5833 Westminster Dr., (512) 928-0333
Funded in whole or in part by a Loan Star Libraries Grant authorized by the Texas Legislature and awarded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to the Austin Public Library.
