Teens Rule Next Week With Debut of The Alexander Muse and A Teenage Stroll!

A busy week is on hand for Alexander County Library - especially for the teens. On Tuesday, April 17 at 3:30 pm, the 2012 edition of The Alexander Muse will make its debut at The Spilled Bean coffee house in Taylorsville. Join us for awesome teen readings of winning works, view winning art and photography, and enjoy delicious refreshments provided by the Alexander Friends of the Library.

Music will be provided by the bands, Home For The Day and the Not So Mighty Bosstones, and singers, Grace Williams and Matthew Campbell. There will be door prizes, so come join the fun! Shannon Childers, owner of The Spilled Bean, plans to electrify the outdoors for this epic event.

On Thursday, April 19 from 5- 7 pm - in tandem with the 45th anniversary of Alexander County Library, we will have A Teenage Stroll. Teen artists from Alexander County will have works displayed throughout the library for everyone to enjoy. Alexander Friends of the Library will provide refreshments. (Aren't they awesome?) Music will be provided by local band, Ghost of Gertrude. Join us!

And let me throw in that this Friday, April 13, is Alexander County Library's 45th Anniversary celebration. We will serve doughnuts, coffee, and juice all day since having a library available to everyone here is sooooo sweet!

Did you know that there was a library here from 1936 to 1942? Then, there were 25 years that passed before the county library reopened in 1967. That is so sad...

Hope to see you at the library!
Mel

Teen Poetry Happens Teens Rap Battle 2012

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

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

Photography Discussed With Guest, Micah Henry

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!

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!

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

Happy Valentine's Day, Rudy!

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

Celebration of BLUE Week!

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