Miss Mel's Blog

Teen Poetry Happens Teens Rap Battle 2012

2012-02-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

Next Tuesday, February 14 will be a "loving" TPH @ The Bean. All art, prose, poetry, and photography will revolve around love - OR NOT.

We'll have a good time regardless! Just like last month, which I am finally getting posted today. Sorry about that. With the rearrangement of my area in the library and the Hunger Games Par-Tay planning, I have been slammed!

Enjoy the epic rap battle from January 10th. Sorry the sound quality is rough. My camera tanked on me right in the middle of recording.

Also, a reminder that February 29 is the last day to submit items for the Alexander Muse teen art and literature magazine. We are collecting poetry, prose, art, and photographs from high school teens from Alexander County. This will be the 3rd edition of the magazine and I am excited to see the finished product.

Keep an eye out on Facebook for Hunger Games party info. And also at the Hunger Games Party blog at http://www.hungergamesparty.blogspot.com/ .

Love,
Mel

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Sparks Intense Conversation

2012-01-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

The YAYAs were exuberant in their discussion of The Hunger Games, the wildly popular first novel in the trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The novel was selected by the young adult book club to review due to the upcoming Hunger Games Party in March that is sponsored by McDonald's of Taylorsville. The YAYAS will host the party here at the Alexander County Library in honor of the movie coming out in theaters March 23.

There will be more details forthcoming on the party. It will be open to all Alexander County teens (7th -12th grades). You can also visit the party blog at http://www.hungergamesparty.blogspot.com/.

Of the ten YAYAs in attendance, all were enamored of the novel set in a future apocalyptic world - a world where teens are selected in separate districts to come together and fight to the death. After that, the opinions differed. Favorite character, favorite scenes - and whose team they were on for Katniss's potential love (Peeta or Gale?-hmmmmmmmmm) varied greatly.

Take a look at their discussion by pasting this link in your browser - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkihmiOgyww

This novel has also elicited thumbs up on my Facebook from all ages of patrons. It is highly recommended that you should read it, too! Be aware there is violence (fight to the death, right?) and that is why it is a young adult novel rather than juvenile.

Keep checking back here and at the party blog for details on the March 9, 2012 party. "May the odds be ever in your favor!"

Mel

Festive Teen Poetry Happens Brings Beloved Poem Alive

2011-12-14T11:13:00.000-08:00

Teen Poetry Happens at The Bean was a joyous occasion on Tuesday, December 13. We received word that The Spilled Bean owners, Shannon and Brandy Childers, had just added baby Kadee to the family shortly before the meeting. And, we recreated one of the most famous Christmas poems, "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore, through voice, art and photography.

We had a great crowd of 35 or so to join us at The Spilled Bean. The project was a visualization technique where students draw what they hear in the poem.

I believe you will see how much fun we had doing this by watching the video. Hope you enjoy TPH "The Night Before Christmas" and have a blessed holiday season!

Mel

YAYAs Enjoy Dinner and a Movie at the Library for the Holidays

2011-12-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, December 6, 17 YAYAs converged at the library for the annual dinner and a movie celebration for the holiday. The book club watched A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen loosely based on the graphic novel by the same name written by Alan Moore, et al.

Personally, I have never watched a movie sooooooo far removed from the novel. The movie changed the leader, added many characters, and totally changed the plot line. Though the book was not recommended to the YAYAs to read as it is an adult novel, the movie was PG-13 and we could handle that.

So why watch/read it?

The characters are all from famous works of literature. As readers, YAYAs got a kick out of characters such as Dorian Gray, Tom Sawyer (neither were in the novel btw), Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, and Mina Harker. Her character was from Bram Stoker's Dracula (which YAYAs read several years ago) and showed herself in the film rather dramatically!

My thanks to those YAYAs who braved the yucky weather to come. A special thanks to Taylorsville's Subway for a great deal on our meal. You rock!!

Next week is TPH @ The Bean and we will be doing a neat visualization exercise with art and poetry. Don't let the big word scare you. It will be fun!

Happy Holidays!
Mel

Photography Discussed With Guest, Micah Henry

2011-11-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean added some new members at our November meeting. It's because our publication, The Alexander Muse, has added a new category - Photography. What better way to introduce the element of photography than with one of our community's dedicated photographers, Micah Henry.

Mr. Henry is the managing editor of The Taylorsville Times and also the co-founder (with Janet Cull) of the Brushy Mountain Film Users Group. He provided several great tips for getting the best shot - including the use of light, the rule of thirds, and what works and does not work in backgrounds. I have more of his Photography Tips sheets here at the library if you weren't able to be at the meeting to get one.

We at TPH truly appreciate Mr. Henry's time and expertise that he shared with us. Thanks, Micah!

Remember, we are already collecting entries for The Alexander Muse contest. Teens from Alexander County (whether in public, private, home school, or alternative school) may submit as many works in as many categories they wish. Be aware that students may only win once and in one category.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Place will be awarded in four categories - Art, Poetry, Prose (Short stories), and Photography. There will also be 3 honorable mentions in each category.

Entries can be dropped off at various points at Alexander Central High School or at the Alexander County Library. Entries will be accepted until February 29, 2012.

The 3rd edition of The Alexander Muse will be published in April 2012. The debut event details will be announced at a later date.

So, get creative and get those entries in for The Alexander Muse 2012 edition!

Elsewhere for YAYAs, Photography for TPH at The Bean

2011-11-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

The YAYAs have spoken about Elsewhere, the novel by Gabrielle Zevin that was the focus of our November meeting. There was a resounding thumbs up on the book which is told from the point of view of Liz, a teen who is hit by a taxi while riding her bicycle. She dies and ends up in Elsewhere.

YAYAs talked about the well, the binoculars that could see to earth, rivers, a 7 year old ship's captain,the benefits of fishing, doggiespeak, and knocking on pipes. If you want to know about these things, we suggest you read Elsewhere as well. :)

Tuesday, November 8 at 3:30 pm is the next meeting of Teen Poetry Happens at The Bean. Ms. Duncan, Ms. Is, and I are very excited to announce that another "P" has been added to Poetry, Prose, Painting, Pen and Ink, Pencil, and other Printings. Photography! Yes, that's right. Photography will be a new category we will discuss at TPH. It will also be a new category for The Alexander Muse teen art and literature magazine we will publish in the spring.

So bring some photos we can wax poetic about! Micah Henry, our editor of The Taylorsville Times, will also join us at the meeting to give great tips on getting the awesome shot.

Hope to see you soon at the library! Or at a great library function. Such as Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 pm at Reformation Lutheran Church when Tamra Wilson will be talking about her book, Dining With Robert Redford and Other Stories. Should be a wonderful time! Sponsored by our beloved Alexander Friends of the Library, the program is free and open to the public.

Ciao for now!
Mel

YAYAs Meet Paper Towns Author, John Green

2011-10-21T04:31:00.000-07:00

Opportunities to meet award winning authors don't come every day, but when the Alexander Friends of the Library and the Alexander County Library get cooking, great things happen. (Remember the BLUE events with Joyce Hostetter last fall, for instance!)

Then, there's what the YAYAs got to do on the night of October 20! In honor of Teen Read Week , nine of them journeyed to AC Reynolds High School in Asheville to see the Michael L. Printz Award winning author, John Green. The YAYAs read Paper Towns last year and were excited to get to see him.

We are grateful that school librarian, Kelli Self, made room for us at the event. It was sold out!

Most of the YAYAs got to meet John and all of us got to be entertained by him (and the marching band that came in!)

The YAYAs wish to thank the Friends of the Library for making this magic night possible. Also, thanks to Marshall and Linda Dunbar for assisting with transportation. It made me smile when an exuberant YAYA said afterward, "This was the best night EVER!"

Kelli and Sean were behind the Mountain Nerdfighter event! Thanks for getting us in!

Blackout For Halloween

2011-10-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhh. Another fabulous Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean for Tuesday, October 11! We had some folks in the community who came just to listen and they were impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of the gang.

We had around 35 folks in attendance including our new collaborator and The Spilled Bean owner, Shannon Childers. Shannon said he and his wife, Brandy, are glad we have our creative group coming to the Bean.

Thanks, Shannon and Brandy, for making the smooth transition for our community. To say we were a bit flipped out is an understatement when the announcement was made that the Bean was sold. We will definitely miss Tim and Ciaara, but are glad such a nice family is left in their stead.

Good luck, Tim and Ciaara! We wish you an excellent, new journey! Miss you!

Thanks to those who shared their works with us at TPH. It's great when people bring in their favorite poet's works to read - or the BEST when they have their own works to share. Art too. Don't forget photography has been added to the mix.

The blackout form of poetry created for this month was first introduced to the teens by our beloved local poet, Bud Caywood, last year at TPH. The form, founded in the Bohemian era, takes a printed page and eliminates words to leave behind a poem. I think you will find in the following poems, that it was successful!

"Discover Prime Time"
Go outside and play?
Mountain paths, trails and a
world of beauty
A breath of fresh air
Perfect place
Gaze a star
Remind yourself just how great
"great outdoors" are.
Where is West Virginia?
Wild and wonderful

"Break"
Break flowers and a bit of forest
Instead gather, buy - scatter them down
Everyday, natural
Go rich
Seated across from one another.

"Drama Queen"
Twenty-something founded a website for parents.
Her latest book is called Do I Get Grounded?

"Fight"
Know there are millions left
These build and form every surface
and lead to disease.
Penetrates
Kills

"Depression"
Depression hurts.
You've had one too many days.
You catch a glimpse of yourself
in the mirror.
Suddenly you can no longer...
That's the day you do something -
Therapy, diet, exercise,
Play

"Conjure Up"
Conjure up.
Display boldly.
Here's how
The flattening out.
Scrunch up.
Ruffled
Smaller if desired
Decorative
Adhere together.
Download and print.
Cut out.
TORN

"What Else?"
The music piped the odds.
It's a carefully orchestrated medley
that evokes a time
when life was far simpler.
You feel the magic to open up.

Don't you think these are neat? Gotta love them! It's a great concept to have a page full of words and pare them down to say something you want. Try it!

Our next meeting will be November 8 at 3:30 pm. Hope to see you at The Bean.

Mel

YAYAs Have An Exciting Month In October!

2011-10-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

15 YAYAs met on Tuesday, October 4 to discuss The Compound, by S.A. Bodeen. The opinions varied from "Hated it!" to "Loved it!" with the lovers outweighing the ones who disliked it.

Dislikes mentioned the novel was predictable or simply had a general disdain for all things apocalyptic. The lovers liked the action and suspense of the story.

Everyone was uncomfortable with the purpose of The Supplements - gotta read it to understand. Just know two YAYA brothers are threatening younger siblings at home that they are "Supplements." This could be bad for the little brother and sister!

The Alexander Friends of the Library also paid the YAYAs a visit at the meeting and bestowed upon each teen a free Friends' membership for a year! Cool beans. This entitles each of them to get into the book sale early and gets them 20% off at Barnes & Noble in Hickory.

And, to top it off, the Friends agreed to sponsor the YAYAs visit to Asheville, NC on October 20 to see John Green, author of the Michael L. Printz award winning novel, Looking for Alaska. 10 club members plan to make that trip.

The YAYAs were very excited by the generosity of the Friends and wish to thank them for believing in the book club. Several YAYAs have volunteered many hours of service to the library for summer reading, Friends sales, and special programs through the years.

I want to thank all the YAYAs and the Friends of the Library for their support of the library. Y'all rock!

Next month, the YAYAs will discuss Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. That meeting will be on November 1.

TPH is Tuesday, October 11 - 3:30 pm at The Spilled Bean. Come join us for poetry and art galore. Remember, we are adding photography so if you have pics to share, bring those, too!

Have a great weekend!
Mel

2011-09-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

TPH @ THE BEAN POEM '11

TOGETHERNESS

EVERYONE IS INVITED

EVERYONE IS EXCITED

NEVER PUT DOWN

PEOPLE LAUGHING

ONLY ON TUESDAYS

EATING APPLE BITES

THERAPEUTICALLY

READ OUR POEMS

YOU’LL LOVE THEM!

HAPPINESS IS TPH @ THE BEAN

ACTIVE MINDS AND KEEN IMAGINATION

PAINTS WITH MANY COLORS

PLAYING THE COFFEE SONG

EXPECTANT FACES LOOK AROUND

NEAR PSYCHOTIC BREAKDOWNS, HOPE PREVAILS

SANITY

@ THE GAME

BLENDED WITH COFFEE BEANS

EVEN MANY FLAVORS, ALL ARE TEENS

ALL UNIQUE

NEVER MORE ECSTATIC THAN AT THE TIME OF PEACE

TPH @ THE BEAN TEENS - September 13, 2011

Isn't this great? It's a collection of the many things teens said about Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean in an acrostic poem. I compiled something from everyone's entries. Pretty cool. Looks like an awesome new year!! Mel

Texas and Poetry

2011-09-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today was awesome at The Spilled Bean where we kicked off our 3rd year of Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean. Ms. Duncan, Ms. Is, and I were pleased to see such a great turnout. I have to take some time to organize the incredible poetry that was churned out about our beloved creative group and get it posted.

But first, I want to tell you about the awesome Association of Rural and Small Libraries Conference I attended last week in Frisco, Texas just north of Dallas. If you can remember last fall, I went to my first ARSL conference in Denver, Colorado on a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the State Library of North Carolina. It was one of the most beneficial experiences I have ever had, so I was thrilled to be able to return this year.

This year’s conference was spot on! It is amazing how fulfilling it is to be among library professionals who are in the same boat- smaller populations, smaller budgets, and technologically challenged. It was refreshing to dive into this think tank and come up with solutions for issues that affect our library every day.

Marketing and program ideas are paramount to the success of the small library and the ARSL conference delivered many quality sessions to meet that need. Each session at ARSL was brimming with excellent tips for programs.

Four Texas teen librarians were thrilled to find Alexander County is a neighboring county to where some of movie, The Hunger Games, was filmed. (It’s down in the Mountain View section of Catawba County in case you weren’t aware of it. The author of BLUE, Joyce Hostetter, put some photos on her blog at http://joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-10T23%3A40%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=10 for her May 29, 2011 entry.)

The movie comes out in March and we are hoping to get one or more of the extras from the movie to come to our library for a teen Hunger Games party and lockin. Our teens will then Skype the Texas teens and have a question and answer period with the actors. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

There are so many amazing things to glean from the ARSL conference. Next year it will be in Raleigh and the State Library of NC will be the host. Cannot wait to be a part of it again! Since it will be in our state, I hope many more of my state colleagues and fellow staff at the library can be a part of it as well.

Don’t forget the fundraiser, Bags, Baubles and Beads, begins on Thursday evening for Friends of the Library and for those who donated items for the sale. It will be open to the public Friday and Saturday. Check my calendar at http://www.alexanderlibrary.org/pdf/currentCalendar.pdf for sale times.

Have a great day and check back for TPH poetry!
Mel

YAYAs Are Off and Running and I’m Deep In The Heart of Texas

2011-09-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Howdy Partners!

I'm out here deep in the heart of Texas for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries annual conference. I learned a lot last year in Denver and am excited by this year's offerings of good info for libraries just our size.

It's another year of YAYA and another batch of teen readers are ready to devour some books! (Not eat them really, but consume them as only diehard readers can.)

We had 14 who came to The Spilled Bean for our first meeting on Tuesday, September 6. Two couldn't make the meeting so we have 16 this year! Woo hoo! The largest group ever.

We have selected the first books of the year. Our October read will be Compound by S.A. Bodeen, a riveting post apocalyptic science fiction piece. For November, YAYAs will read Elsewhere, a novel by Gabrielle Zevin. She's the author the teen lockin crew got to meet online on August 5.

Our meeting times have changed. Due to cross country, track, and Interact Club meetings, we are moving the meetings to the first Tuesday of the month, 5:30 pm at the library. We will stay at the library past closing time.

Again, don't forget Bags, Baubles and Beads September 15, 16, and 17 at Reformation Lutheran Church in Taylorsville. All proceeds will go to support items for the children's area of the library. Read the following blog for more details!

Have a mighty fine day, Y'all!

Mel

"Bags, Baubles, and Beads" Is On The Way!

2011-08-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Summer is slipping away quickly and that means it's time for a wardrobe change - at least with purses and jewelry, that is! The Alexander Friends of the Library are ready to help you redefine your accessories with their "Bags, Baubles, and Beads" sale.

The sale will be held at Reformation Lutheran Church on September 16 and 17th with an early bird purchase opportunity on September 15. The pre-sale will be available to those who are Friends of the Library or to those who donated items.

(Hint! Hint! A Friend's membership is only $10 and will not only get you into the B3 sale, but also the book sale early in October!) -Did I mention it will also get you 20% off at Barnes & Noble? :)

And the most wonderful part? The proceeds will go to purchase a new rug for the children's department! Yeah!

I want to thank the Friends for all their hard work. The photo above has Friends Brenda McRae and Ruthanne Fry (Kathy Riddle is taking the picture) displaying lots of goodies with new library director, Laura Crooks, and me. Also, many thanks to those who have already donated items to the sale.

Please bring by any gently used handbags and jewelry you have to the library if you would like to donate them for the sale. And set the date to join the Alexander Friends of the Library for the "Bags, Baubles, and Beads" sale - Friday, September 16 from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm and on Saturday, September 17, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Remember the presale from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on September 15 for those who are members of the Friends or who donated items. :)

Hope to see you there!

Mel

BookFair at Barnes & Noble to Support Alexander County Library August 13th

2011-08-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

The Alexander County Library and Bethlehem branch have been been given an excellent opportunity to raise funds for the library by Hickory's Barnes and Noble Booksellers. On August 13, they will be holding a BookFair where as much as 20% of the profits from that day through August 18 can go to our library system.

On the morning of August 13 at Barnes & Noble, I will have storytimes at 9:30 am and 11:00 am with one of my favorites, Clifford the Big Red Dog. There will be a breakfast you can reserve with B&N to attend and crafts for all ages. Should be an awesome morning!

There is a voucher code you can use (or your dearest sister in Oklahoma!) to mark the sale for the library. This code can be used online or at any Barnes and Noble Bookseller in the US.

The voucher is located on the library's main web page at www.alexanderlibrary.org. Be sure to share the voucher code with everyone you love and remind them to do their Christmas shopping between August 13 - 18 at Barnes and Noble. The voucher code is good for the purchase of books, music, movies, food, and more!

The Alexander Friends of the Library are also collecting gently used handbags, jewelry and beads for their Bags, Baubles, and Beads sale in September. I will post more on this later, but I am stoked that the proceeds from this sale will go to the children's department and a new storytime rug. Yeah!

So, please, support the Alexander County Library by visiting Barnes and Noble's store or online between August 13 - 18 and use the voucher code for the library. Also, donate goodies for the Bags, Baubles, and Beads sale that the Alexander Friends of the Library are having.

Your support of the library will be greatly appreciated!
Mel

2011-06-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous first week of summer reading, folks! Over 400 people came to programs this week at the Bethlehem branch and the main library. And lots of hours are coming in as well. I am stoked!

The Balloon Lady was a hoot today. She gave me the fruit basket hat she created. Isn't it fantastic? I wore it all afternoon at the library.

Next week, will be terrific as well. We have storytime at Bethlehem on Monday, storytime at the main library on Tuesday, Babytime at the main library on Thursday, and Didgeridoo Down Under at 2 pm on Friday at the Alexander Central Auditorium.

The fun never ends if you have good reading material! Come see me at the library.

Mel

GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

Today is the beginning of summer reading 2011, One World, Many Stories. Please start logging your time reading now.

Consider reporting your first reading times to me at the library through Facebook, email or a phone call no earlier than Friday, June 24. Best yet? Come see me and get some books, magazines or graphic novels to read - then report! :)

This week at the libraries - Preschool Kickoff at Bethlehem branch on Monday, June 20 at 10 am. Preschool kickoff at the main library, Tuesday, June 21 at 10 am, Teen Night game night on Thursday, June 23 from 5 - 6:45 pm, and finally the big program with The Balloon Lady on Friday, June 24 at the Alexander Central Auditorium beginning at 10 am.

Whew! Should be a rocking week and hope you'll be part of it! Read on! Read on!

Miss Mel

Summer Reading Is On The Way! Sign Up Today!

2011-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

We have a couple of weeks left to sign up for summer reading at the Alexander County Library. The theme is One World, Many Stories and there will be lots of activities for all ages - birth to 18 years. Check out the library website for more information.

http://alexanderlibrary.org/kids.htm

Studies show that students benefit greatly from keeping their reading skills up over the summer break. Don't fall behind! Join us for a summer of fun at the library!

Mel

The Alexander Muse 2011 Has Arrived!

2011-04-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

What a joyful celebration on Tuesday, April 19 at The Spilled Bean when we introduced the 2011 edition of The Alexander Muse! Over 100 folks joined us with delicious snacks provided by the Alexander Friends of the Library and rocking music by Band of Music (thanks for stepping in, guys!) and local favorite, Below Freezing.

The poetry, prose, and art pieces were stunning this year! Ms. Duncan, Ms. Is, and I are so proud of the teens who contributed to the work. You guys rock!

We thank the judges who gave of their time to help determine the winners. Judges for this year’s magazine were: For art - Martha Burgin, Bud Caywood, and Kate Worm; for prose - Joyce Hostetter, Tim Peeler, and Gary Bebber.

Poetry judges were North Carolina Poet Laureate, Cathy Smith Bowers, Nancy Posey, Ann Chandonnet, and Doris Stephens. There were 28 prose entries, 54 art entries, and 64 poems that were judged.

Winners in the art category were: 1st Place and the cover page, Dallas Perry with “Landscape”; 2nd Place and the back cover, Rebecca Chapman with “Element in Time”; 3rd Place and the title page, Christina St. Clair with “Brighten Up”. Honorable Mentions in art were Carolina Arias, Kristin Collins, Louis Miller, William Vannoy, and Hunter Wiseman.

In the poetry category, winners were: 1st Place, Christy Vaughn with “Does Rain Free-Fall?”; 2nd Place, John Harriman with “Burning Buildings”; and 3rd Place, Erica Burley with “the fly on the trash”. Honorable Mentions in poetry were Abigail Keller, Harlee Korte, India McWhorter, Ashleigh Reid, and Adonna Smith.

Those who placed in the prose category were: 1st Place, “Eerie Setting” by Josh Bowman; 2nd Place, “Prose of Captain Acid” by Alan-Michael Bresch; and 3rd Place, “Unearthly Visitors” by Jordan Cruz. Honorable mentions in the prose category were Kandace Allen, Chace Carswell, Devin Mitchell, Justin Owenby, and Brittany Sullivan.

1st Place winners received a $25 gift card provided by Wal-Mart of Taylorsville. 2nd place winners received a $15 gift card for The Spilled Bean provided by the Alexander Friends of the Library. A $5 gift card for The Spilled Bean was provided for the 3rd Place winners by The Spilled Bean.

Honorable Mentions received a free scoop of ice cream provided by The Spilled Bean. The Alexander Muse wishes to thank these organizations that provided prizes. And a special thank you goes to the Alexander Friends of the Library for sponsoring this year's publication!

Also, thank you Tim Panza and The Spilled Bean for hosting us all year. Thanks to The Taylorsville Times as well for doing a great job printing The Alexander Muse!

We will have a May TPH - our final meeting of the year :( - on May 10 at 3:30 pm at The Spilled Bean. Hope everyone can make it.

Have a blessed Easter!

Mel

''Why I Need My Library" Video!

2011-04-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Hot off the presses is this video that two of my YAYAs (Young Adult book club members) created for the American Library Association's teen video contest. The library could receive as much as $3,000!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQJAPbQx6BE Just paste this link into your browser.

Please take the time to view the video. The more folks watch it, the more prominence it will have for the judges.

Thank you, Courtney Bowman and Stacy Connolly, for such a great job!

Alexander Muse Debut

2011-04-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Must remind everyone that the debut of the Alexander Muse teen art and literature magazine is upon us! Yippee!! I am so proud of the Alexander teens who participated. We are putting out another wonderful collection this year.

The party will be at - where else? - The Spilled Bean next Tuesday, April 19 beginning at 3:30 pm. There will be door prizes for the students (sorry older folks!), tasty goodies (including my famous apple bites!) provided by the Alexander Friends of the Library, and great music by TPHers Below Freezing and The Image Drivers. Please join us!

On a side note, I just found out I will have some of my poetic works published in The Lyricist, a statewide magazine through Campbell University. I am stoked about that as well! April as Poetry Month is rocking!

Hope you have a great evening!

Mel

And the Winners Are...

2011-04-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

OK, Folks!

The theme for 2014 has been determined as well as the slogans for the UNDERGROUND theme for 2013. And the winners are...

For the UNDERGROUND

Children's Slogan - "Dig Into Reading"
Teen Slogan -"Beneath the Surface"
Adult Slogan - "Groundbreaking Reads"

The all over general theme for 2014 is......Science.

The good news is that recycling, going green, wildlife, agriculture - all of that can go under a science banner. "Environment" ended up being one of the top three along with "Heroes", but science wins. Guess we'll blow things up!!! Just kidding...

The photos are from the conference room where we meet. Every state, but Hawaii, that is in CSLP made it this year. CSLP President, Sue Sherif, and our State Youth Services Consultant, Lori Special, are also pictured.

Have a wonderful rest of your week! I have one more day of meetings. It has been an adventure that I will always treasure.

Mel

Go Green Is Still Alive

2011-04-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I am excited to report that the proposed 2014 theme of "Go Green" and the environment is still alive out here in Phoenix. So is the "Heroes" theme that was suggested.

There are 9 categories to choose from. We go to vote tomorrow, so I hope enough folks deem Green worthy.

For Children's Underground Slogans for 2013, there are a lot of Dig Deep, Dig Into Reading or a Story type of offerings. We'll see how that shakes down. I will report tomorrow the final outcome! (If I'm allowed to do so. They may tell me it's top secret. It's my first time doing this...)

We also looked at proposed artists today. There were so many great ones that would be awesome for the Underground theme.

Have met so many wonderful folks from all over the United States. Had lunch with the current president of CSLP, Sue Sherif, who lives in Alaska. Her sister, by the way, is Joan Sherif, a librarian in the NW region of NC. How cool! I kept thinking she reminded me of someone. :)

Have a great day!
Mel

Storytime From Afar

2011-04-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

Still having a blast in Arizona! I "landed" back in Phoenix this afternoon and am ready to get to work tomorrow at the CSLP conference.

Yesterday morning, I had a wonderful visit with my friend's Kindergarten class in Page, Arizona. Page is on Lake Powell and is in the Navajo Nation. Almost all of her class consists of Navajo children. Isn't that picture precious? (My friend, Louise, is the perfect Kindergarten teacher. Notice her fine hat!)

They made me feel very welcome and, if I can get the video ready, I will post one of the stories I taped. The children were awesome helping me tell my version of The Wide Mouth Frog!

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. GO GREEN!!!!

Mel

My, My, My Sedona!

2011-04-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hey All!

What a wonderful day in Sedona, Arizona yesterday! My assistant, Miss Debbie, had said she would love to see my face when I spied the red rocks of this beautiful desert town. I bet you could have crammed an elephant in my mouth! It completely takes your breath away.

Today, I am excited to go to my friend's Kindergarten class in Page, Arizona and read to them. Most of her students are Navajo and I feel it will be a fantastic opportunity to talk with them about One World - Many Stories, this year's summer reading theme.

Arizona is one of the states represented in the Collaborative Summer Reading Program that I am out here for. Isn't it neat to think these children have the same theme as us in Alexander County this summer? I am stoked!

Here are a few photos from yesterday. Indeed, a day to remember...

Have a great day!
Mel

Arizona Skies

2011-04-03T05:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I have arrived safely in Arizona and was lucky to see this kind of sunset last night. You generally don't catch many clouds in the desert, but I must have brought the rain with me! Figures...

Looking forward to my day! Hoping to catch some awesome energy in Sedona. Have to power up for the CSLP conference in a few days. :)

Have a beautiful Sunday!
Mel

God Save The Artist's Work

2011-03-24T19:11:00.000-07:00

I love this shot of me with a statue of Mark Twain. Oh, if only I could truly ask him how he feels about a publisher changing words in his work, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The novel is often referred to as the great American novel.

The message appeared to be very clear at the Huck Finn Dilemma panel discussion on Monday night at CVCC - Alexander Campus. Don't mess with Mark Twain's stuff!! Or if you prefer to use his real name - Samuel Clemens' stuff!

The event was sponsored by the Alexander Friends of the Library. The community discussion of New South Publisher's decision to remove the N-word from the classic tale elicited many comments from folks of all ages.

Guest panelists were Lori Special -Youth Services Consultant with the State Library of North Carolina, and Dr. Bill Vinson - Alexander Central English teacher and an adjunct faculty member for Appalachian State University. Each gave a brief presentation for their stance and then the floor was opened to the public to chime in with their thoughts.

Not a soul in the room wanted the change of the N-word to "slave." Dr. Vinson quoted Kafke and noted that books should sting us and make us uncomfortable.

Mrs. Special, who is African-American, agreed. She pointed out that the shock is taken away away by removing the N-word - and the historical significance. In Twain's time that was what was said. How can we learn from past mistakes if they are covered up?

Indeed...

Have a great weekend! Go Heels!
Mel

It Only Takes A Minute!

2011-03-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday was the final official Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean meeting for the 2010-2011 school year. We will, of course, have our huge Alexander Muse celebration on April 19 at The Spilled Bean! TPH folks will be there, but we won't do any art or poetry activities for the party.

For our final activity, we created minute poetry - a form embraced by North Carolina Poet Laureate, Cathy Smith Bowers. Ms. Bowers has a lovely tome, A Book of Minutes, from which I read to the teens. Then, we got down to business and created some minute poems.

The rule for minute poetry is to have 3 stanzas. In each stanza you have an 8 syllable line, then a 4 syllable line, another 4 syllable line, and a final 4 syllable line. This 8-4-4-4 stanza can have a rhyme scheme as well, but it is not necessary.

Check out these fine minutes!

Charisma
Confidence is a precious gift
Magnetic selves
Having a voice
Moving a crowd

Sometimes it is better this way
Wall flowers bloom
Hanging silence
I cannot choose

I can't help the personal traits
There is no choice
I like it now
I hate it then
by Christina

Me In Your Head
Hiding in your closet smiling
Holding a knife
With rainbow clothes
What am I, huh?

Giggling while you are sleeping
Creeping the door
To watch you sleep
Not knowing me

When you wake up and I'm not there
Wondering why
I wasn't there
It's in your head
By Pa Jai, Xeng and Karla

Who We Are
In the depths of time we perceive
always too far
always too close
always afraid

Looking for our person to change
To perfect it
To complete it
To control it

While oblivious to the truth
We are the now
We are the present
We are future
by Josh

This was a combined art and minute poem by Rebecca. Click to enlarge it.

Great job guys!

Tomorrow is Judgment Day for The Alexander Muse! I am so excited about the panel we have on board. Cathy Smith Bowers will be one of the judges for the poetry category. What an honor to have our NC Poet Laureate be a part of the process.

There were 63 poems entered, 28 prose entries, and 54 art entries. We will announce the winners on April 19 at The Spilled Bean. The public is welcome to join us! More details will be forthcoming.

Have a great day!

Mel

A Young Reader On His Way!

2011-03-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone,

I am blessed to have heard a ton of reading success stories through the years. Another story that I just heard yesterday thrills me to no end.

The success is a Kindergartner named Justin. I have known Justin and his family since he was an infant. He has an older brother, Carson, who is now in upper elementary, that I absolutely adore as well.

The fellas used to come to the library for storytime when they were preschoolers before their mother went to work. Occasionally they would stop by the library in the afternoon and peruse the shelves for books or play games or blocks as well.

One year they even baked Christmas ornament cookies and decorated them for me. At the library, I still put out that little tree each year with those ornaments.

When visiting the library, Carson would always talk with me about his favorite stories. Being the little brother, Justin would often sit quietly looking at board books, or listen in on our tales.

The crux of the situation was that their beautiful young mother was raising the boys mostly on her own. Before she went to work, I know there was worry about getting library materials, not knowing if she would be able to return them on time.

But still, she understood the importance of early literacy. She always made sure her sons had plenty of books in their young lives.

Imagine the look on my face (and the tears in my eyes) when yesterday, Justin's mother told me that Justin has been tested in Kindergarten reading above 3rd grade level. She told me she thought I would like to know that. BOY HOWDY!!!!! DO I!!!

She said Carson is so proud of his little brother that he will tell classmates that Justin has corrected him on HIS reading! And, trust me, Carson is an excellent student as well.

Please, please read to your bunny! If I could convince the world that reading to your child (shoot, to your belly when you're pregnant!) will give them 1) imagination 2) excellent vocabulary and communication skills 3) problem solving skills and 4)a leg up on life - I would feel I accomplished my job as a children's librarian.

My theme - "When you can read, you can soar." Believe it, folks. And I believe young Justin is eagle material!

Blessings!
Mel

Happy Valentine's Day, Rudy!

2011-02-15T14:02:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful time we had at the library on Valentine's Day! I got to read some of my favorite stories of love to everyone's beloved reading buddy, Rudy. How fun!

I want to thank the Alexander Friends of the Library for supplying delicious refreshments for the children - especially the really cool Rudy cake! Wasn't it beautiful?

Remember, Rudy comes to the library every Monday afternoon and he loves to listen to children read stories to him. If your child would like the read to Rudy, call me or e-mail to set up a time.

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Mel

TPH Welcomes Local Artist/Poet Bud Caywood

2011-02-09T03:34:00.000-08:00

A great group of approximately 40 folks joined TPH @ The Bean on Tuesday, February 8 at, of course, The Spilled Bean! We welcomed a local favorite - Bud Caywood - to the meeting where he worked with the teens on Blackout Poetry.

It's a really neat form of poetry rooted in the Bohemian era. You take a printed page from a magazine and use only the words desired. You black out the rest of the words.

Here was my "creation"

One Voice
Bitten. Drawn to the company of music.
Charm and sense dovetail
On the gentle curve of a warped plan.

Someone else wrote:

Institution focused on all aspects
From politics to diverse cultures
Experience the permanent home of art
An exhibition that brings together
both private and public

Another:

World so mysterious
Full of meaning very romantic
Embraces the surroundings
Passion for romance and spirit
Guide unique sense of style
In life and work.
Help you into your surroundings
Strive in design
Combine thinking of rich colors, textures,
Uncompromising quality

Another:

Color speaks a universal language
Harmoniously saturated
Elegantly possesses it
Hues, tools
Clear

This is an excellent technique for those who have a hard time adding words to a blank page. Blackout poetry works in reverse and gives you the words from which to select.

Mr. Caywood will be one of our artists judging the Alexander Muse art contest. Remember, the last day to submit poetry, prose or art works is March 1! Enter, enter, enter as many items as you want!

Have a great day!
Mel

YAYAs and Sad Books

2011-02-01T17:24:00.000-08:00

Happy February!

Can you believe we have already mowed down one month of 2011? Yikes!

Today we had our monthly meeting of YAYA and we discussed One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury. Those of us who read it enjoyed it, but many shied away from it for its content.

The Tuesday morning referred is that fateful day of September 11, 2001 when the Twin Towers in New York City fell. Everyone knew this would be a bit of a sad book (there is a lot of sorrow still regarding that horrific day. Did you see Remember Me? Pass a hanky please!)

Sometimes, folks just avoid that kind of painful read - especially young people. I personally thought it was a little predictable and somewhat forced to get the plot to come together. Still enjoyed it though.

Our next YAYA read will be Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I need a werewolf to love!

Until next time, remember I'm on FACEBOOK so look me up and let's have a chat!

Mel

Just Think What You Can Do!

2011-01-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

As you may be aware, I presented a PowerPoint to the county commissioners back in November. In it, I highlighted what I got from my excellent trip to Denver in October. The national conference I attended was for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).

In the PowerPoint, I pointed out that the glaring thing I learned, through the many workshops and breakout sessions I attended, was that GREAT THINGS can come from anywhere. I urged our citizens to embrace technology (which really does make the world small now) and CREATE!!!!!! - And, of course, your Alexander County Library will always be glad to help one do just that.

I am on a listserv for ARSL and this little nugget came across on Friday. I thought I would share it. It's about an 8th grader from a rural area of Utah who designed an app for the I-Phone. And he used his local library for help to do it!

Simply paste this link this into your browser.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70J05W20110120

That is so cool!

Have a great day and CREATE!!!

Mel

5 Senses of Reading

2011-01-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

A Musing for the day to end this first week of 2011.

Today, one of the high school English teachers stopped by the library with her daughter. She and I were discussing reading books versus e-readers.

And in that discussion, we talked about what reading holds for us. That started me thinking - literally: like, holding a book; the smell of a book (brand new? moldy? the smell one has after residing in a home with a ton of cinnamon potpourri!); the sound a page makes as it turns (or for me - being part verbal learner - the sound of my voice reading an intense passage out loud); and seeing the depth of pages that I had conquered - and those yet to be experienced.

When I think of that last sense - the sense of taste - I cannot help but go there. Where, you ask?

Though one should NEVER eat and read a library book ;), I can still taste the Dorito I would crunch slowly all around the edges while mesmerized by my favorite Trixie Belden book. (You know I was very careful to use the non spiced, uncheesy fingers to turn the page.)

But these five senses always seemed to come together to take me on the coolest adventures. It is my hope that as we segue into the next generation of reading materials (Kindles, Nooks, and various other e-readers), that we humans will learn to cherish the feel, the smell, the look, and the sounds of the e-reader in our hand - and be careful to keep the crumbs off the screen!

Have a great weekend and be careful out there!

Mel

YAYAs Have Spoken

2011-01-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

Had a great gathering of the YAYAs yesterday for our January meeting. 7 book club members joined me to discuss City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

This book fulfilled our Fantasy genre of which I am not always the biggest fan. Surprise! I actually really enjoyed it. Everyone, but one (who shall remain nameless) liked it as well. A few have read the entire series.

So far in the Mortal Instruments series, there are three books: City of Bones; City of Ashes; and City of Glass. Cassandra Clare is coming out with a fourth book, City of Fallen Angels, in April 2011.

Be sure to keep tabs on YAYA reads and meeting dates in the right column. Next up is One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury - of which one YAYA already cannot put it down. It is action/suspense, historical fiction all rolled into one.

We are also looking forward to Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater which will be our March read. Just reading the starred review on it had YAYAs clammoring for our library copies!

Next week on Tuesday, Jan. 11, TPH @ The Bean will be firing up the coffee house with minute poetry! To see some of the fun we had at the December meeting, check out the library's children's webpage at http://www.alexanderlibrary.org/kids.htm and watch "It's Time"! Fun!

Happy New Year!
Mel

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, Everyone!

TPH @ The Bean sends a musical wish! Check out this video on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_h6EsRw6gk

I'm getting back at it with programming starting tomorrow with regular preschool storytimes and YAYA. The calendar should be on the children's library website by the end of the day.

May rich blessings shower upon you in 2011! Come see me at the library!

Mel

Ho! Ho! Ho! And FACEBOOK Page

2010-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

The Alexander County Library has a new Children's FACEBOOK page that you can visit for programs, videos, and fun! Look it up!

Christmas is rapidly approaching and I hope that everyone has a safe and jolly good time! Be sure to visit the library for sweet holiday reads.

Mel

A FIGMENT of Your Imagination!

2010-12-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

The Youth Services Consultant for the NC State Library, Lori Special, sent this link today from the NY Times about a website called Figment. Figment allows teens to read, create and share fiction and poetry from their computers or cell phones. And it's free!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/books/06figment.html?_r=2&ref=books

If you get into this, let me know if you like the site! Something like this has gone gangbusters in Japan.

The actual website is http://figment.com/

Ciao for now!

Mel

"Muse-ings"

2010-12-03T12:56:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

We are rapidly gearing up for the second edition of The Alexander Muse, the teen art and literary magazine! Many teens have already turned in art and poetry works.

Items can be given to me at the library or to teachers, Beth Duncan or Robbin Isenhour Stewart, at the high school. The contest is open to all high school teens in Alexander County - ACHS, area private schools, home schooled, or alternative school students.

Teens may enter as many items in art (pen and ink, paintings, pencil, charcoal), poetry (any style), or prose (short stories) as they wish. Find your inner Twain, Frost, or Escher and create!

You can only win in one category. You must get all entries in by Tuesday, March 1, 2011. There will be some awesome prizes (once we figure them out)! Hey, this is a process, folks!

I am very excited to say that North Carolina Poet Laureate, Cathy Smith Bowers, will be one of the poetry judges! What an honor to have her aboard.

Have a wonderful weekend and come see me at the library!

Mel

Thanksgiving Blessings to You and Yours!

2010-11-24T08:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Isn't this an adorable shot of my Storytimer, Christian? He did a fantastic job on his Loopy Turkey (can you imagine where I got that name from?). These were made at our Thanksgiving storytime on November 23. The children had a lot of fun separating out the loop colors for the feathers. And, of course, eating them thereafter! The recipe is below.

There will be lots of holiday cheerful programming in December. YAYA Christmas Party will be December 7 at 5:30 pm and the TPH @ The Bean Holiday With Music meeting will be December 14 at 3:30 pm. The Christmas preschool storytimes will be December 14 and 17. There's lots of fun to be had!

I hope that you have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving. Take care and come see me during the holidays for all your reading (and fun!) needs!

Mel

Loopy Turkey

Ingredients

1 egg shaped Rice Crispy treat, 1 red Twizzler piece for snood, 3 candy corns, 2 small marshmallows, 2 mini chocolate chips, White cookie icing for glue, 5 toothpicks
5 yellow loops, 5 blue loops, 5 red loops, 5 orange loops, 5 green loops

Step 1 - Using icing, glue mini chocolate chips onto 2 marshmallows for turkey’s eyes. Let dry.

Step 2 – Insert 5 toothpicks into top of turkey for “feathers”

Step 3 – Lay crispy treat on its back. Glue candy corn for nose

Step 4 - Glue on the red snood just off of the nose

Step 5 - Glue on eyes. May want to let icing harden before next step

Step 6 – Stand turkey upright. Glue two candy corn feet

Step 7 – With your child, separate the different colors of loops

Step 8 - Stack same colors on the toothpicks. You may wish to glue with icing.

Autumn/Winter Comes Knockin' at TPH

2010-11-10T12:05:00.001-08:00

The Long Storm
By Josh Simon

In the beginning of winter
With the air no longer warm
A lonely black bird perched in a single tree
Preparing to weather the coming storm

The snow blew furiously
Expanding across the open field
Like a monster devouring the landscape
With no sign it would yield

But once the wind subsided
The bird left its perch in flight
The once brown and gray land
Now covered in sparkling crystal white.

Hi All!

Isn't Josh Simon's poem and drawing great? He was one of approximately 40 people drawing, waxing poetic, or both yesterday at TPH @ The Bean. Our project this month combined art and poetry in a poetic form known as ekphrastic poetry. The theme was autumn and/or winter. Connor St. Clair and Caleb Queen did neat drawings combining both fall and winter. See if you get it.

Many did not get finished, but I'll be glad to add them on if you can get them to me.

Following is a sampling of some of the submissions. If the ink was too light, the scanner wouldn't pick it up. Bear down on there, artists!

Next TPH will be Tuesday, December 14 at 3:30. We will have former TPH graduate, Joey Webb, work with us on song lyrics. Be sure to bring your axe (guitar), trumpet, flute, keyboard -whatever you've got - to create a song.

Ciao for now!

Mel

BLUE Play and YAYA Opinion

2010-11-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

There were a great number of folks who came to the Alexander Central Auditorium on Thursday, October 28 for two performances of the dramatic production of "BLUE" - including our special guest, author of BLUE Joyce Hostetter! The Alexander County Library and I wish to thank the CAST children's theatre of the Catawba Valley for the wonderful performances. And thanks goes to dwaine coley and the Alexander County Schools for partnering with the library to make this event happen!

Thanks to all the Friends of the Library for bringing Mrs. Hostetter to the county. I especially thank Friends Kathy Riddle, Hazel Yoder, and Glenn Mays who introduced so many students to the book, BLUE, through outreach in the classrooms. This was truly a communitywide effort to bring to light a wonderful historical piece of fiction about our area.

YAYAs were in the audience and enjoyed the play. At our meeting last night, YAYAs said the sequel to BLUE - which is Comfort - was great, but they feel there needs to be a third novel. One YAYA (among others) thinks LOVE would be an excellent title. Maybe Mrs. Hostetter will consider that (PLEEEEAAASE, Joyce!!!)

Hope you have a wonderful day! Read on, read on!

Mel

Celebration of BLUE Week!

2010-10-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! What a fantastic turnout for the Meet the Author, Joyce Hostetter event yesterday at Reformation Lutheran Church. Almost 300 people came to the program which was sponsored by the Alexander Friends of the Library.

The author's reception was the culmination of weeks of book talks in the middle and high schools about the novel, BLUE. Mrs. Hostetter's historical fiction tale is told from the perspective of a young, tough-as-nails girl in 1944 Hickory, NC named Ann Fay Honeycutt. Ann Fay endures many hardships, but her spunk and spirit are inspirational.

Several of those in attendance at the program were AIG students who prepared very informative posterboards and powerpoints on many maladies through the ages. Great job, students! And you teachers - Melinda Glenn and Kelly This - were awesome to incorporate the novel into such innovative projects!

Somebody stop my exclamations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah, you need to know how exciting all this has been for me. And it's not finished yet!

This Thursday brings two productions of the play, BLUE, to the Alexander Central Auditorium. The play is adapted from the novel by Lamar Mitchell and Guy Guarino. CAST, a children's theatre of the Catawba Valley, is putting on the production.

We will have a very special guest in the audience at the second show that afternoon. ;)

The play is sponsored by the Alexander County Library and is free, but seats are limited. If you are interested in attending check with me at the library at 632-4058 or with dwaine coley at the high school (632-1366) to see if we have seats left.

Hope to see you soon!

Miss Mel

Halloween Haikus at TPH

2010-10-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

I love when our TPH teens get creative and they were awesome for Halloween haikus at the October meeting on the 12th! Hate I missed it! At least we can see the result of an obviously freaky good time.

Halloween Haikus

Ev’ry October
On a dark and scary night
Children come to play

Halloween is here
We play Halloween games too
Our sisters scare us

The wicked witch laughed
At all the children that passed
The kids cried in fear

Stairs creek and rattle
All around the house I see
Ghosts flying around

Creepy scary things
Deep in the darkness of night
I cower in fear

Mirror looking back
A reflection you show me
My ghostly image

Really, really weird
That mask is very scarrry
Hope it goes away

Roses are red
Gummy bears want to eat you
Violets are blue

What’s deadly and cute?
The lazer kitten, of course.
Ends you with its lazer beams!

The haunted fridge ate -
Ate everything in sight
Rff rff num num num

Zombies awaken
They slaughter, eat, and kill us
So don’t scream and hide

Spirits roaming earth
Ready to eat human flesh
Don’t look behind you!

Gory massacre
With a chainsaw in my hands
I’ll express myself

Translucent, fluid
But not tangible or real
They are illusions

Bloody fulfillment
Warm sense of accomplishment
It’s the only way

Minty round candy
Bloody red filled in my mouth
Off to sleep you go!

By TPH @ The Bean Teens
October 12, 2010

Rocky Mountain High

2010-10-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

See how reading can take you places? This is a photo I took in Loveland, Colorado yesterday morning before my conference began. Can you make out the Rocky Mountains in the background?

This is the annual Association of Rural and Small Libraries Conference and I am thrilled that I am able to be here in Denver. I am learning about some killer things to bring back to Alexander County Library.

Sounds like TPH rocked on Tuesday! Hate I missed it, but I'll be at the next one on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Have a great rest of the week!

Mel

Congratulations, Officer Harrison!

2010-10-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

What a wonderful turnout we had to celebrate author Michael Harrison's book debut, Cop's Night Before Christmas! Over 80 folks joined the library in welcoming him.

One of my storytimers, Ethan, purchased a book from Officer Harrison. I thought I would post the photo where he got his book signed. Isn't that a sweet picture?

I'll be heading to the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference in Denver, CO on Tuesday. I'll have my laptop if you need me. Hope everyone has a great week!

Mel

Officer Harrison Will Debut Children's Book October 7 @ Library

2010-10-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

I am stoked that this Thursday, Alexander County Officer Michael Harrison will be here at the library to debut his new book, Cop's Night Before Christmas. The program is from 6 - 8 pm with Officer Harrison reading his book at approximately 6:30 pm.

I have been fortunate to read it and it is really cute! I would love it if children would come in their pajamas. It is an evening program! We will serve hot chocolate and cookies for the reading. There will also be cake and punch.

Please be sure to join us on Thursday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Miss Mel

Artist/Poets and YAYAs Are Off and Running!

2010-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

Did you know Mel is short for Melissa? And that Melissa is from the Greek for "honeybee"? Well, dahlings, I have been acting like one lately! Have mercy, it has been busy - but very fruitful.

See the awesome compilation of couplets the savvy teens from TPH @ The Bean created at our first meeting of the year. We had 31 teens come! Yeah!

Teens and Coffee Beans

Leave hesitation at bay
Today is your golden day

Away to high school at 7 am
After which, I look forward to The Spilled Bean and Tim 

Teens and coffee beans - shake, rattle and roll
Getting creative is good for the soul

Reading and writing, we choose what to do
Apple fritters come out and we shout “Woo hoo!”

Music is playing, people talking loud
We fall into silence and all gather round

Branches and lights - on the ceiling
Chill, cool, and peaceful are the feeling

Dragon, tree, angel fish
A heart to start to make a wish

Twinkies are yellow
TPH teens are smooth and mellow

As we sit at the Bean
We begin to dream of things unseen

From the darkest corner of my heart
The memories seem to fall apart.

My mind is blank, no thought at all
I need to write before my head hits the wall!

Move your pencil with your imagination
Draw a picture of your creation

Watch it bloom into a marvelous sight
Put your deepest feelings into the spotlight

A brilliant vision, a great idea
Our minds sprout - like a chia

I’m on a roll, out of control
Someone stop me before I blow!

Statue plunder for my sake
Sleep tonight’s a formidable mistake

Poetry shows our innermost thoughts
Things in the past we have fought

Many ideas our minds bring full
Gives us a thought so colorful

The warriors of light must walk their path
To vanquish the foes of sin and wrath

The dark and stormy blade draws nigh
It bursts through the cloud and into the sky

TPH caffeine, creativity and fun
Love when it starts, hate when it’s done
TPH @ The Bean Teens
September 14, 2010

YAYA had its first meeting as well on September 7. It looks like we will have a great group there! Our first read is Comfort, the sequel to BLUE by Joyce Hostetter.

We are very excited as the Alexander Friends of the Library will be hosting an author's reception for Mrs. Hostetter on Sunday, October 24 at 3 pm at Reformation Lutheran Church. It will be free to the public. Many of the students in the county have been reading BLUE and I hope to have great discussion that day from everyone!

Remember, YAYA meetings are on the first Tuesdays of the month at 3:30 pm. TPH meetings are on the second Tuesdays at 3:30 pm. Hope to see you at one or both!!

Mel

Get Your Motor Running...

2010-08-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

Ahhh! School begins next week and things will be returning back to normal at the library. Summer reading has past (with great numbers which I will proudly blog about at a later time) and so it is time to get storytimes and Teen Times up and running.

We begin next Tuesday, August 24 here at the main library with a WELCOME BACK preschool storytime at 10 am. There will also be one on Friday morning, August 27 at 10 am.

But teens! Dates are finalized for YAYA and Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean (TPH). YAYA meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of every month at 3:30 pm at the main library. The first meeting will be on September 7. This young adult book club is for the reader who cannot put a book down, who will read when he/she should be sleeping or doing homework. You know who you are! Come join us!

TPH @ The Bean will begin September 14 at 3:30 pm at guess where? - The Spilled Bean! Meetings will be held every 2nd Tuesday of the month. This group of creative high school students loves poetry, prose writing and art. We do neat projects each time. Musicians share lyrics and songs. All within the delicious atomosphere of the Bean.

So put us on your calendar! Hope to see you soon!

Mel

Summer Reading, Eclipse and Other Things

2010-07-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

The lengths I will go to get kids to read!

Whew! Finally a moment to blog a hi to everyone this summer. Summer reading always does this to me, but I would rather be overwhelmed with all the readers than have NOTHING to do! (That's a joke!)

Summer reading has been going very well and I truly appreciate all those who have attended the events and reported time reading. We only have three more weeks to go. Can you believe it?

This week is exciting as we have the teen program Thursday evening at 6:30 pm (until 9 pm) and then the ice cream social on Friday with NC Cooperative Extension for everyone.

And what kind of SPLASH would this be if we didn't have a pirate day? Tomorrow's preschool program will be just that. I will wear my pirate best and hope all the young ones will, too!

For you Twihards, have you seen Eclipse yet? AWESOME! I have not been one to criticize any of the movies so far, but I would love to hear your comments - good or bad.

If you haven't seen Eclipse yet, I MUST recommend that you read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer first. It really clarifies some of the additions that David Slade (the director) made. And it is a fantastic read - at least for those in the KNOW!

I am getting stoked about the upcoming school year and getting YAYA and TPH up and running again. What poetic or artistic offerings will you bring to the table, TPHers? Have any of you YAYAs read an amazing book this summer? I cannot wait to hear and see! I should be getting the dates finalized soon and will let everyone know.

Have a great evening!

Mel

Tonight's The Night!

2010-06-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Too bad you guys are too young to remember the song by Rod Stewart. Great song!

But TEENS, tonight is the first Teen Night of summer reading. It's Game Night, too, which is always a blast. Balderdash and Apples to Apples are the games of the day.

We'll have pizza by the Friends of the Library, cake by McDonald's and various other yummies from the library. Food, games and hilarity! What more could one want?

We get fired up at 5 pm back in my area of the library and will go till the library closes at 7. See you there!

Mel

CSLP, Arizona, OH MY

2010-06-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Miss Mel is stoked! I have been invited to accompany Lori Special, the Youth Services Consultant for the State Library of North Carolina, to next year's Collaborative Summer Library Program national meeting! Yippee!

It's in Scottsdale, Arizona - land of Stephenie Meyer. Do you think we at CSLP would be lucky enough that one of the world's leading YA novelists would be drawn to visit us? Truly, that will be one huge group of librarians with children's and teen's interests in mind. And the Twilight series sure gets a lot of teens squealing (including MOI!).

Here is an opportunity to share your ideas for summer reading themes. Next year's theme is One World - Many Stories revolving around travel and world cultures.
2012's theme is going to be fun because I'll get to be in pajamas every day! (DO NOT FEAR! I am only kidding.) As you may have guessed, the theme is about bedtime.

But there are more years and more themes, so comment and tell me what you would like to see CSLP do for future summer themes. Don't quote me, but I believe 2013 may revolve around recycling/conservation, so think other than that for now.

BUT BACK TO NOW - Guess what tomorrow brings? Summer Reading 2010 - MAKE A SPLASH - READ! Everyone who is signed up needs to start tracking your time tomorrow. What a gift to Dad if you write a poem and read it to him. Hmmmmmmm....

Have a wonderful weekend and READ ON! READ ON!

Mel

Summer Reading - Not Just For Kids!

2010-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

It's about that time! Time for summer reading! And the Alexander County Library and Bethlehem branch are currently signing up anyone who wants to be a part of it all. Anyone, you say? Why, yes! Even adults.

Not only can youth ages birth to 18 sign up at either library location, but so can adults. Bethlehem Reads the Classics is in its third year of reading classic novels and reporting pages read. It is appropriate for teens and adults.

Miss Mel has participated each year and loved diving back into classic works (though Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury wasn't as thrilling as my AP English teacher made it out to be a hundred years ago! Thanks, Mr. Williams! Too bad I didn't have you around last summer to re-explain a few things!)

But, reading Little Women made me fall in love with the March sisters all over again. And being a TwiHard, I have to read Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, and Romeo and Juliet to see what all the fuss is about for Bella. It's been a zillion years since I read those!

So, teens! Sign up with me and with Bethlehem Reads the Classics. We'll all have a grand old time this summer READING!

Mel

YAYA and Alice

2010-05-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

Thought you might like to see a photo of the YAYAs tonight as we dined at Olde Hickory Tap Room. We ate there before going to see Alice In Wonderland at the Carolina Theatre. What an awesome movie! Beautiful and action packed. Only Tim Burton could have that vivid imagination! It was our last meeting of the school year and we are saying goodbye to our senior, Joey. Good luck, Joey! Thanks to the Alexander Friends of the Library for the movie! Have a great weekend!

Mel

Saving Reading

2010-04-27T03:23:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

You know, every now and again someone puts together a very special piece that puts tears in my eyes. Ocoee Middle School in Ocoee, Florida did just that with a music video set to a Black Eyed Peas tune, but called "Gotta Keep Reading." The scene with all those preteens boucing together in praise of books and reading does my heart good!

Paste this into your address bar and get ready to rock!
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=159726

It's no secret that young folks are so overwhelmed with technology and various other activities that reading is falling behind on "the things to do" list. I tell parents, children and teens all the time that reading increases vocabulary, allows one to take a trip without leaving the couch, and gives one experiences (and how to deal with them)that one may never encounter.

So, authors, write good books! Children's librarians, stay on top of good series and make visits to the library fun! Parents, keep bringing your children and teens to the library and model reading at home. And kids? Gotta keep reading!

Love, Mel

The Alexander Muse Is Here!

2010-04-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

What a fantabulous time we had yesterday at The Spilled Bean when the premier issue of The Alexander Muse was presented! Combine tantalizing tastes and smells of the Bean's coffees, an incredible turnout of approximately 80 people, killer music with our very own Mile 257, and delicious baked items provided by the Alexander Friends of the Library and we had a party that rocked!

And now, we have an art and literary magazine of which Alexander County teens can be very proud! Come by and read our copy here at the library.

Mel

Airhead Passed Muster

2010-04-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

The YAYAs have declared Meg Cabot's Airhead is a good book to read. I truly enjoyed it myself and cannot wait to have a moment to read its sequel, Being Nikki. Even the guys liked this book.

Today was the last meeting of the 2009/2010 YAYAs. We will be doing a dinner and movie night in May to wrap it up and send our senior, Joey, off with a blast! Call me at the library if you need details.

If you are interested in being a YAYA next year, you must be in 9th - 12th grade, be willing to attend as many monthly meetings as possible, and be willing to read an extra novel a month. Just give me a call to sign up or if you have any questions.

The Alexander Muse is printed and I have read it cover to cover and am thrilled! Be sure to join us next Tuesday, April 20 at The Spilled Bean for the unveiling. Food, music, and great times! Fun begins at 3:30 pm and will end at 6:30 pm.

Hope to see you there!

Mel

TPH Honored with Poet Bud Caywood Visit

2010-03-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Our final regular TPH @ The Bean meeting on Tuesday, March 16 was awesome as Bethlehem artist/poet Bud Caywood joined us. He read some moving poetry from his Like Paper Dolls collection.

His works many times end in a crescendo that leaves you speechless. The poems he read to us did just that!

He also demonstrated a neat way to conquer writer's block. I'll be sure to use it and will be glad to show you, too. Just stop by or write and ask! We truly appreciate Mr. Caywood taking the time to visit with us.

Again, be sure to put April 20 on your calendar to be at The Spilled Bean for the finale of TPH and the unveiling of the first issue of The Alexander Muse!

Mel

It Is Done!

2010-03-20T03:33:00.000-07:00

And I know the winners and you do not! Yet... Our Alexander Muse judging event last Thursday, March 11 went relatively smoothly - even for all the pouring rain. The numbers have been crunched so the winners have been identified.

To find out who those fine folks are, plan to come to The Spilled Bean on Tuesday, April 20 at 3:30 pm. Mel here is stoked about looking at winning art, listening to or reading winning entries, having our two bands - Mile 257 and Blackout - perform, and enjoying great friendship with all the TPHers for our final program this school year.

Hope to see you there!

Mel

A Buggy Haiga Time at TPH!

2010-02-18T08:25:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

TPH @ The Bean was awesome on Tuesday, February 16! Weren't those some cool haiga poems above? Haiga are haiku poems with accompanying drawings or photos. It was a great way to mesh our poets with our artists.

We had an awesome turnout, too! I counted at least 27 folks who joined us. The Alexander Friends of the Library provided yummy baked items to go with the Bean's tasty libations.

Tonight is the night for poetry readings at the Bethlehem branch. The program begins at 7 pm. Some of our area's most revered poets will be reading from their latest publications. The poets are Ann Chandonnet, Bud Caywood, Scott Owens and Tim Peeler. (Bud and Scott are two of our poetry judges for the Alexander Muse contest. Yeah!)

Remember, March 1 is the last day to turn in poetry, prose and art work for prizes and publication in the first ever Alexander Muse teen literary magazine. Hope every teen in the county contributes!

Mel

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! Off to the Bean We Go!

2010-02-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

It's about that time, Teens, to TPH @ The Spilled Bean. Next Tuesday, February 16 at 3:30 pm will be the meeting. Be there or be lost! And hungry! Remember the Alexander Friends of the Library will provide baked goods to accompany your yummy Bean beverage.

And...March 1 is barrelling down on us. That is the last day to turn in your FABULOUS poetry, prose, and/or art for a chance to be published in the all new Alexander Muse teen literature magazine. You may turn in as many entries as you wish.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in each category. 5 Honorable Mentions will be published as well - so get creative!

A really cool haiku contest called the Hexapod Haiku Challenge is being sponsored by NC State University. To read more about it go to http://insectmuseum.org/haiku.php . Miss Mel turned in her three entries!

YAYA was great on Tuesday. It was a thumbs up deal for The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. No dissenters. Our next YAYA meeting will be March 9 at 3:30 here at the library. We will be discussing Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider novel, Stormbreaker.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Mel

YAYANess

2010-01-21T12:11:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

YAYA was a little lean last Tuesday. It's rough on teens to have final exams and many of the YAYA gang were in the middle of them. Hope everyone did well.

With those who came, we had a really great meeting. We discussed The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. If action/adventure/fantasy is your genre, you will love this book. I need to poll all YAYA, but I think our final meeting will consist of a trip to the Carolina Theater to catch The Lightning Thief in May. It has Pierce Brosnan and Uma Thurman in it. Whoo hoo!

We are continuing to receive great entries for The Alexander Muse teen lit magazine. Keep them pouring in until March 1, Alexander County teens!

We are very blessed to have some awesome judges already on board for the magazine contest- poets Bud Caywood and Scott Owens; artists Wayne Parmenter, Heather Friday and Nina Hardison; Bethlehem author, Mike Harrison, and everyone's favorite lit teacher, Dan Miller. Thanks to all of those involved!

Hope you stay dry. It's yucky outside today. Check back soon!

Mel

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Hope your New Year is rocking! We had a wonderful TPH @ The Bean yesterday! Here is the latest offering of TPH poetry...

Poems from TPH @ The Bean, Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Ice, Ice, Baby!
The hint of winter
Came with a chilly breeze
Putting on my beanie
So I won’t freeze.

The blue skies belie
The frozen air that I breathe
I chastise myself
For not wearing longer sleeves.

So cold today
Icicles hanging from my nose
Yeti sipping a hot latte
What are the chances, do you suppose?

I went outside
To walk by the lake
I found it frozen
So I decided to skate.

Little ones gather near the fire
The winter storm is blowing strong
Latch the door and shut the windows
No need to worry, the chill won’t last long.

I saw with my eyes
The first snowfall from the sky
With reasons we don’t know
Wishing there were never goodbyes.

Holiday Yeti (For those still in the spirit!)
Snowflakes are falling
Santa’s almost here
Winter is calling
Time for holiday cheer!

Gather round - the Yule log is lit
Cold winter’s night flows through the house.
We don’t celebrate on this lonely night
Shut all the doors - the Yeti’s about!

Isn't that fun? We had 26 teens show for TPH and a lot of fun was had. Check out Rebecca's cool arty poem on the top right. That sums it up!

More later. Happy New Year!

Mel

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas Time's A Comin'! Like a freight train. How's that for a simile? I cannot believe it is only 8 days away. Are you ready for it? And now we have a threat for snow to hamper last minute shopping - like I need to do. C'est la vie!

Our annual Christmas Celebration will be Tuesday, December 22 at 10 am. It is during storytime, but by all means, come even if you're a big kid! We will make edible Christmas trees. Yummy! Can you say "CANDY"? And lots of it?!!!

The YAYA Christmas dinner on the 14th was a blast! We played my favorite game, Balderdash. I have listed our next set of YAYA reads for the new year to the right. Read along even if you can't join us at the meetings. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 12 at 3:30 here at the library.

A great article is in the Taylorsville Times this week on TPH @ The Bean. There is a photo of our logo designer, J.Kins, and his muse, Robbin Isenhour Stewart (affectionately known in the ACHS community as Iz). Also, Shannon and Joy are in there. A copy of the photo is located on the right. Remember, the next meeting for TPH will be Tuesday, January 5 at 3:30 at The Bean. And do your acrostics! It will be awesome to have a whole wall of TPH acrostic poems. I have mine posted to the right. :)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good year!

Mel

2009-12-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Helloooo Everybody!

I hope Thanksgiving was good to you. I went to see New Moon again with my niece (poor me - NOT!) so that was fun. Now, on to Christmas!

The December 1 meeting of TPH @ The Bean was awesome. J.Kins Saevang introduced the logo for TPH @ The Bean AND for the teen literary magazine, The Alexander Muse! Thank you J.Kins for all your great work! You can see the logos on the side of the page.

Everyone created an acrostic poem using their names at TPH. The Spilled Bean will display them on a special wall, so if you didn't turn it in or if you wanted to spruce yours up, don't forget to bring it to the next TPH which is January 5 at 3:30 pm.

Remember to work on those poems, prose works, or artistic endeavors! There are prizes, teens!

YAYA Christmas dinner and games will be Monday evening, December 14 at 6:30 pm. We'll be discussing Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and O. Henry's Gift of the Magi while we eat. Then let the games begin!

For the preschool set, we will have our annual Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, December 22 at 10 am. I have a cute (and tasty!) edible craft for everyone to make. And, of course, some fun books to read, too!

Hope to see everyone during the holidays! Peace!

Mel

AWESOME!!!

2009-11-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

HOW ABOUT THAT ROCKIN' MOVIE, NEW MOON?!!!!! Wow! My daughter and I loved it (though she wasn't thrilled with the end - I was!). Obviously a lot of other folks attended the theaters for it as it broke all kinds of records this weekend. My BFF said she had never been in a sold out theater that was so quiet. Everyone was absorbed in the story. Can't wait for Eclipse in June!

Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving celebration on Tuesday, November 24 for storytime at 10 am. We'll make edible turkeys!

The next Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean is December 1 at 3:30 pm. Look on the Government Channel for photos from our last meeting.

Also, remember to let me know if you want to ride the library's float in the Christmas parade on Saturday, December 5th. Teens who wish to help decorate the float need to meet at the Dayton Building at 5 pm on December 4.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Mel

Turkey Time!

2009-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and family gatherings and delicious food await. And so does the movie, New Moon, next Friday the 20th! Yeah!

My daughter and I are very excited to see how director Chris Weitz adapts the novel. Stephenie Meyer seems to be pleased with the final result. That would be difficult as an author to see how one handles your story.

We have a Thanksgiving celebration on Tuesday, November 24 for storytime at 10 am. We'll make edible turkeys! The next Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean is December 1 at 3:30 pm.

Also, remember to let me know if you want to ride the library's float in the Christmas parade on Saturday, December 5th. Teens who wish to help decorate the float need to meet at the Dayton Building at 5 pm on December 4.

Have a fantastic weekend and feel free to comment on what you're reading or whatever by clicking on the green comment below!

Mel

Poetry, Leaves, Candy and Michael Jackson!

2009-11-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

Whew! What a weekend! Halloween night was a blast across from the library- giving out candy with Mr. Johnny. It was great to see so many library patrons! Though some of you guys were somewhat unrecognizable... :) :) :)

Saw This Is It on Friday night with my daughter. Wow! To have been able to see the finished concert. Michael Jackson was truly an amazing performer and Ally and I were reduced to tears several times realizing there would be no more of his music. Kenny Ortega pieced together a fabulous look at his behind the scenes work.

The leaves are falling and the poetry is rising! We had 24 teens to come to The Spilled Bean for Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean on October 27! Some great poetry and art works were shared. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 1 @ - of course - The Bean. 3:30 pm.

Don't forget - If you are a high school teen from the county, think about a great name for our teen literary magazine. There will be a $20 gift card from Wal-Mart if you come up with a good one! You can submit your suggestions to Ms. Duncan or to me at the library by November 18.

Also, submit your art, poetry, and prose works to either The Bean, Ms. Duncan at ACHS, or yours truly for the teen lit magazine. Teens can submit all that they want, just be aware that you can only win once in one category. We will accept entries until March 1, 2010.

Have a great week!

Mel

Apple Festivals and Teen Programs

2009-10-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

The Apple Festival 2009 has come and gone. It was a frigid one! It barely got into the 50's all day. Miss Mel was an ice cube.

There are two fun programs I want to remind folks about. First is a middle school program this Thursday, October 22 at the library. We're doing Mad Libs with ice cream, popcorn, cookies and soda. Yes, we'll all be sugared!! The fun begins at 5 pm and will end at 6:45 pm.

Next Tuesday, October 27 will be our second TPH @ The Bean event. Join Beth Duncan and me at The Spilled Bean for poetic and artistic fun. The art department is going to be there, too. We begin at 3:30 pm.

We are launching the "Name The Literary Magazine" Contest! Whoever picks the coolest name will receive a $20 gift card to Wal-Mart. You must be a high school student to enter.

Hope to see you soon @ the library!

Mel

Apples of October

2009-10-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Happy October! It's my favorite month of the year. My husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on the 1st and TWO of my YAYAs had birthdays on that day. Isn't that cool?

It is also the month of the Taylorsville Apple Festival (October 17th) and my apple storytime week. Fun! Fun! Mr. John Roberson of Roberson Apple Orchard always brings us several varieties of apples for the children to sample at storytime. I can never thank him enough for doing that. The apple storytimes will be on Tuesday, October 13 and on Friday, October 16 beginning at 10 am.

For the Apple Festival, yours truly will be hosting on the Youth Stage all day, so come on by and see all the wonderful acts we will have. My band, The Bookworms, will be on the Youth Stage at 1:10 pm for a rollicking good time! The Apple Festival goes from 9 am to 5 pm in downtown Taylorsville.

I love a parade and our annual Preschool Halloween parade is not one to miss! We will begin at the library at 10 am and then parade through town collecting goodies at the Tax Office, the Register of Deeds, the Sheriff's Dept, the Clerk of Court office, and The Taylorsville Times. The date is Tuesday, October 27. I want to thank all of the wonderful offices for their willingness to let us parade through to show off our finery.

There are a couple of teen programs this month, too! I'll blog about those a little later on.

Have a great weekend!

Mel

Responsible Social Networking

2009-09-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Hope you had a fantastic weekend. The weather is finally clearing out a bit. It was a bit dank there for a week or so!

I got some great footage from Dancing In The Streets yesterday - speaking of bad weather. It was supposed to have been on September 18, but wet weather messed that date up. I believe there will be some hilarious footage of a town manager and a clerk of court going into the drink in the dunking booth. Next year's summer reading theme is Make A Splash @ Your Library. They will look smashing (or should I say drenching?) in my summer reading video next year!

A very disturbing issue has come to my attention and thought I would pass on the link to it. Seems a group of four teens decided to create a fake FaceBook profile on a fellow teenager. They made him out to be something he was not. Cyber bullying is alive and well, folks. Make sure you don't get involved in it! Might cost these dudes a bit of money.
http://mashable.com/2009/09/25/fake-facebook-profile/

Have a great week!

Mel

First Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean A Success!

2009-09-22T09:04:00.001-07:00

Hi Again,

Had a great turnout for the first Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean event yesterday. Thank you teens for coming and hanging with us. It was a lot of fun and very creative.

Our next TPH event will be on Tuesday, October 27 at The Spilled Bean @ 3:30 pm. Come on out and join us! It is open for any high school students including ACHS, private school or home school students.

Working in teams and individually yesterday, we came up with this great poem about bean' a teen. Check it out!

Mel

BeAn' A Teen

I love BeAn’ A Teen
Taking the world by storm.
Finding amazing creations
In the words that I form.

It is fortuitous
That you are here with us,
Making poems into jewels.
Let’s be spontaneous !

We are not seen for who we are;
For who we are
As we live on the scene
Cannot be challenged too far.

Spinning lost images
From nothing at all
Conjuring up sentences
Breathing life into them all.

But I look back “thru” the glass
To the days of high school fun,
Not noticing days as they pass
Stress quickens as they run.

It starts off rocky
With blushed cheeks and darting eyes.
But awkwardness is not forever
Hesitation fades, the limit is the sky

It is abundant here at this poem night
Fueled by desserts and coffee caffeine
Words rush to me in bouts of inspiration
As I enjoy sinful sweets at the Bean.

Writing lines, creating prose,
Bearing my soul with pen;
Black and white, pages turn
But stories never end.

Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean
TEENS - Sept. 21, 2009

YAYA Is On!

2009-09-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

YAYAs had a great meeting on Tuesday. Looks like there are 12 committed YAYA teens - either through e-mail or coming to meetings. If you would like to join us (or just read along), I have provided a list of the first two novels for this year. YAYAs must be at least in 9th grade through senior year in high school.

I would love your comments on the books - even if you're not YAYA. Feel free to comment below. Or shoot me an e-mail.

Ciao for now!

Mel

The School Year Has Begun

2009-09-03T09:04:00.001-07:00

Whoa! Is the summer over? Yep. It is September 3 - school is in, summer reading is over, and my calendar is loading up with activities.

YAYA is coming back on Tuesday, September 8 with our first meeting of the year. It will be here at the library at 3:30 pm. Should only last an hour or so. YAYAs need to be armed with a list of their favorite books to offer up for reading this year.

A new gig I will be doing with Alexander Central HS teacher, Beth Duncan, is a poetry event once every 6 weeks or so. We are calling it "Teen Poetry Happens @ The Bean". TPH will be open to all high school teens whether they are at ACHS, other area schools, private school, or home schooled. The first event will be held at The Spilled Bean at 3:30 pm on Monday, September 21.

We had a wonderful poetry night with the teens for the summer reading program. Read the hilarious poem we collectively came up with - " 'Twas Teen Poetry Night At The Bean".

’Twas Teen Poetry Night At the Bean

‘Twas Teen Poetry Night at the Bean
And all through the coffeehouse
All the teenagers were stirring
Coffees, lattes, and their mouths.

As I approached the Bean
I checked for parking spaces
But little did I know
I chose a spot for slower paces.

It was rainy and humid
And the thunder did roll
As we all sat and waited
To fulfill our poetic soul.

The coffee was brewing.
The ice was crunching.
Everyone was talking
While we were drinking and munching.

A room full of strangers
Whose faces I didn’t know.
I hope to know them
Before I have to go.

Two certain people
So hyper and full.
All the words from their mouths
Was a bunch of bull!

A quatrain we make
And a quatrain we’ve made
Eat too much cheese
And have bunghole blockade.

Drinking coffee
People all around
After tonight – myself
I will have found.
- By the Be Creative Teens of SRP ‘09

Be sure to check back often for tasty reading tidbits and library news! Now that the summer is past (and, therefore, summer reading!), I can be more attentive to my blog.

Mel

Dawn of Summer Reading

2009-06-06T16:53:00.000-07:00

My goodness, I have taken quite a while to blog again. Sorry about that. Summer reading is upon me and I am running on all 8 cylinders! Are there any 10 cylinder cars?

It has been a wonderful spring! I love catching all the dance recitals, band concerts, choral concerts, musicals and plays that the end of the school year brings. We have a wealth of talent in our area. Congratulations to all who got up on their stages!

One stage that I absolutely loved was BLUE with C.A.S.T. in Hickory. Alexander County's very own Janie Pennell played one of the polio patients and did a superb job! I truly hope Lamar Mitchell and Guy Guarino's adaptation of Joyce Hostetter's award winning novel will be shared with the schools in our area. It is an important story about the Catawba Valley's past.

And on that note - the stage is set for summer reading and I have many who have already signed up. We are signing up until June 19 and kicking it off on June 21 with reading.

Hope everyone has a chance to catch the summer reading video that was sent to all the middle and elementary schools. I want to thank dwaine coley, Ethan Price, Joey Webb and sweet Carol Bebber-Crowgey for assisting me in getting it made.

See you @ the library! - Mel

Blue's Comfort

2009-05-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

Many folks know I absolutely love the novel, BLUE, by Joyce M. Hostetter. I was even inspired to write a song based on Mrs. Hostetter's beautiful imagery in Chapter 19, "The Bottle Collection".

The main character (and I mean that literally) is Ann Fay Honeycutt. She has a wonderful voice and lots of spunk to spare - even when tragedy befalls her.

So when I finally got my hands on Comfort - the sequel to BLUE - I literally prayed that Ann Fay would stay intact as a character. I was rewarded! Comfort is every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor and it is because Ann Fay still tells the story with her down to earth, "tell it like it is" sensibility. Come to the library and check it out!

And...

Yes, folks, it is that time of year! Time to think about summer reading - and I give plenty to think about! Read all about it on my library web page and check out the calendar. There's something for every age group. http://www.alexanderlibrary.org/kids.htm

My "What Series Do You Love Best?" poll held no surprise. Twilight won. If anyone has a good idea for a poll, please let me know. I LOVE making those things.

Finally, thank you for your comments, Derek, about The Graveyard Book. I'm glad you enjoyed it, too. It is a very intriguing book.

Ciao for now!

Time For A Poll!

2009-04-19T18:33:00.000-07:00

At the request of one of my "bitten" patrons who is being "forced" to read a different series for class, I am polling to see which of these four series is best in your opinion.

Feel free to e-mail me or reply to this post if you would like to argue your point as to why your series is best. I'll publish it if you keep it clean!

Hope everyone returns back to school ready for the final push to the end of the school year. It will be here before you know it! And summer reading will begin...

Mel

A Wonderful Month

2009-04-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

April is turning out to be a wonderful month! My Tar Heels won the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship and North Carolina's Poet Laureate has signed on to be a judge for our summer reading POETRY CONTEST!!!

"Do what?!!!!" you say!

Yes, Kathryn Stripling Byer, a resident of Cullowhee (think Western Carolina!) and our state's Poet Laureate, has agreed to judge summer reading participants' poetic entries. She'll be joined by Taylorsville Times editor, Micah Henry; Sugar Loaf Elementary teacher, Liz Cronan; East Middle School teacher, Julie Eudy; and Alexander Central High's Elizabeth Duncan.

We will collect poetry submitted by summer readers from rising 1st grade to 2009 high school graduates. When I get myself together, I'll give more details! That might take a while - Ar! Ar!

Hope everyone's Easter was beautiful!

Mel

It Does My Heart Good!

2009-04-04T07:15:00.000-07:00

I have a story to tell that makes my heart sing.

One of my patron's mother told me about her daughter reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer after she picked up a copy. Her daughter began to read it in the car. She continued reading it while shopping through the grocery store - nearly slamming into a pole in one of the aisles. She almost got run over in the parking lot reading instead of watching for traffic, causing her mother to force her to close the book until she was safe in the vehicle.

Then, the daughter begged for her mother to allow her to turn on the interior light in the car so she could finish the chapter. (It was, afterall, after twilight - ha! ha!)

All I can say is "God bless Stephenie Meyer!" She has taken a good, clean story and awakened a whole legion of readers - young, old, female and, yes, male! It's a great series no matter who you are.

Go Heels!

Mel

Graphic Novels and Manga Not All The Rage...Yet

2009-03-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't it interesting that last week started out with a snow storm and ended with summer-like weather? Personally, I'm ready for warm weather, but the little groundhog saw his shadow. Does this mean more cold temperatures before Old Man Winter lets go? Only time will tell.

According to my poll from last week, many of you haven't caught on to the graphic novel thing yet. Most of those surveyed either never read or rarely read graphic novels or manga.

If you want to try one of these styles out, come check out my growing collection at the library. The Bone series and Naruto are very popular.

I hope you get out in this gorgeous weather! Check back again soon.

Mel

No Day Like A Snow Day!

2009-03-02T06:58:00.000-08:00

The children of Alexander County have to be elated today! So am I! I have prayed hard to see a good snow and here it is. Check out my photo from this morning. The snow hugged the branches so nicely. Many of my preschool children have never seen significant snow, so I hope they get out in it today.

Some new forms of reading are springing up at the Alexander County Library - graphic novels and manga. If you're not familiar with these, here is a brief description. Graphic novels are like glorified comic books - a novel in words and pictures. Manga is a Japanese form of literature where the story is told from back to front in pictures. It takes a bit to get used to, but many of my patrons now love manga once they got the hang of it.

In an ever searching quest to keep patrons engaged in reading, I would like to hear if these forms of reading interest you. Please take the time to answer my poll to the right. Also, feel free to either comment on this blog or to e-mail me at mhager@alexandercountync.gov. I also love suggestions if you have a favorite series in either of these styles.

Again, enjoy the snow and come back and visit any time!

Mel

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let...

2009-03-01T17:07:00.001-08:00

Yeah! It Snowed! That's all I have to say about that.

A Jacqueline Woodson Kick

2009-02-23T04:14:00.000-08:00

Hi There! I finally got myself to blog again. It's been a busy time lately, but I still got in three books this past week.

Two of them were by the wonderful writer, Jacqueline Woodson. Feathers - her 2009 Newbery Honor Book - and Peace, Locomotion - which is a sequel to the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award book, Locomotion.

I truly enjoyed reading both of them, but having a penchat for poetry, the Locomotion books really got to me. The story is told through the poetry and letter writing of the main character, Lonnie Motion.

My other read was the next YA-YA novel, Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan. Awesome book! A couple of the YAs have already read it and really liked it. I can see why! As always, I look forward to our discussion of it.

Until next time!

Mel

Friday! Friday!

2009-02-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow! It has been a whirlwind week for me with all the loving activities! Can you imagine three batches of sugar cookies? Reading Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story by Lisa Wheeler till I'm hoarse? And having all that chocolate and candy around me all week! Yikes! I've probably gained 5 pounds!

Anyway, we had a scary chat at YA-YA on Wednesday evening. If you want a scary look at the future, read FEED by M. T. Anderson.

My poll didn't do too well. Let's try a new one. I am pleased to see 50% reported reading books mostly. Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful weekend! Lots of LOVE!!! - Mel

Monday Monday

2009-02-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

It's a new week...Valentine's week! Hope you have "love-ly" plans for the coming weekend.

I have not yet finished with Jacqueline Woodson's Feathers for, as usual, my schedule was hectic this weekend. It is a great read so far and I see why it is a Newbery Honor Book. She always brings so much to her characters.

Read her book, Locomotion, if you get a chance. I loved that one, too. The story is told through a young boy's free verse poetry. It's a powerful look at the life of an orphan in the city.

Speaking of poetry, The Spilled Bean is having a young person's poetry night Wednesday evening from 5 pm - 7 pm (February 11). They're calling the evening "Spilled Words". Isn't that a cool name? It is a senior project for one of the ACHS students, so stop by if you're feeling poetic to support her!

Weekend!

2009-02-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

It's almost the weekend~ hope everyone can squeeze in some good reading. I'm taking home Jacqueline Woodson's Feathers.

The Graveyard Book has now been checked out, but if you want to give it a try, I can reserve it for you. Just shoot me an e-mail or give me a call.

YA-YAs meet Wednesday, Feb. 11, here at the library at 5 pm. If you love to read and don't mind an extra novel a month (and you're a high school student), come join us! We will be discussing M.T. Anderson's novel, Feed (it's disturbing in an Orwellian kind of way...).

One final note - VOTE! Let me know what occupies most of your reading time. See the poll to the right.

Have a fabulous weekend!

What I've Been Reading

2009-02-05T11:12:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, I just finished this year’s Newbery Medal Winner, The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman. Very interesting - yet strange - with a whirlwind of dark characters in a whirlwind of situations. Fantasy with a gothic touch. Should do nicely for those of you who are NIGHT people, but romantic Twilight lovers won’t find romance in this one. I have The Graveyard Book available on the windowsill in the Young Adult section right now.

I'm Up and Running! Sort Of...

2009-02-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my first-ever blog! As the Children's Librarian for the Alexander County Library, I welcome reader comments about what you're reading (be it a book, another blog, your sister's love letters (NO NO NO! Best not do that!), etc.

Reading is a whole new ballgame and this is one of many ways to vent, revere, learn, and communicate about your reading journeys. Please keep it clean!

Watch my blog for great new books to read, websites to visit, bookclub activities, and more. Hope to hear from you!

Miss Mel