Some of the TAB after the January 2010 meeting
Photo courtesy of the Teen Advisory Board

Summer Events

This summer, the Young Adult (YA) Department of the Metuchen Library will offer free programs for all Metuchen residents in grades 6-12. Only some of the programs are geared especially towards the upper grades, while others are only for the middle years. All classes are meant for the novice and the more advanced student. You can sign up by visiting the Library, by calling 732-632-8526, or by writing KLiss@Lmxac.org.

In addition, stop in at the Library to sign up for the YA Summer Reading Contest. Participants will earn raffle tickets by reading and attending library programs. For details, ask for a contest booklet at the Library’s front desk. A drawing will be held on Monday evening, August 30 right after the BIG YA Summer’s End Celebration, which begins at 7:30 PM.

All performers, artists, prizes, books, supplies, and refreshments
(that’s EVERYTHING!) –paid for by the generosity of the Friends of the Metuchen Library!

Book Clubs

The Tween Book Club (suggested for Gr. 6-9) will read Dave at Night by Gail Carson Levine, a School Library Journal Best Book. By day, Dave is a downtrodden orphan at the Hebrew Home for Boys; at night he mingles with the movers and shakers of the Harlem Renaissance. Dave’s hardships and comic escapades create an adventurous tale of New York City in the 1920s. The book club will meet twice and once online between meetings.
Dates: Fri. July 9 and July 23
Time: 1 PM-2 PM A free copy of the book will be given out at the first meeting.

The High School Book Club (suggested for Gr. 9-12) will read Slam by Nick Hornby, named a Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association. Sam, an avid skateboarder is a typical teenage Londoner, who talks to his Tony Hawk poster and gets answers, and who is at times hurled into the future—all while trying to figure out the right thing to do in his present tough situation. The book club will meet twice and once online between meetings.
Dates: Thurs. July 15 and July 29
Time: 7:30 -8:30 PM A free copy of the book will be given out at the first session.

MORE PROGRAMS!

Babysitter Safety Training (Gr.6-8):
A healthcare professional from The Raritan Bay Medical Center will conduct a hands-on workshop, which includes childcare lessons and safety training for the younger babysitter.
Date: Monday, June 28
Time: 1-4 PM

Stitches: It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3—afternoons! Learn to crochet, to follow a pattern and to make a simple project.
Dates: June 29, 30 and July 2
Time: 1-2 PM

Improv: Get your creative juices flowing! You’ll have fun developing your acting skills through theater games and exercises. (Gr. 9-12)
Date: Tuesday, July 6; 1-4 PM OR
(Gr. 6-8) Date: Tuesday, July 13; 1-4 PM

Become a Photojournalist (Gr. 8-12): Metuchen is an historic town! Learn the art of photography and become a witness to history. Over this 3-part workshop participants will take digital photographs of locations in town. The class will develop a photojournalistic archive, so that future generations will see Metuchen in 2010 in a special collection to be housed in the Library. Participants need to bring a digital camera.
Dates & Times: Wednesday, July 7, 1-3 PM; Wednesday, July 14, 6:30-8:30 PM; and Wednesday, July 21, 1-3 PM

Glee: Do you like to sing in a chorus? Glee combines improv and music to produce a spontaneous performance that’s fun for all.
Date: Wednesday, July 7
Time: 7-8:45 PM

Creative Chocolates: Go beyond the basic mold. Learn to create unique chocolate party favors for any occasion.
Date: Thursday, July 8
Time: 10:30 AM-Noon

Drawing: (Gr. 8-12): In this 2-session workshop, you’ll learn to draw with local artist Edward Wetzel. Students are encouraged to bring a favorite object or a photograph of a pet, their home or other place to draw.
Date: Thursday and Friday, 7/15 & 7/16 Time: 2PM-4PM

Write Your Own Adventure: Join Alex Dawson, writer and owner of the Raconteur, for a 3-session fiction writing workshop.
Dates: Wednesday, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4
Time: 7-8:30 PM

It’s Magic (Gr. 6-10): Learn the art of magic from magician Jim Vagias in this hands-on workshop. You’ll leave with instructions and supplies to perform magic.
Date: Thursday, July 22 Time: 1 PM

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (TAB): Try out a meeting to see if you’d like to join the group that plans YA programs, selects purchases for the Library, and brings awareness of the YA offerings. Visit our website to learn more about the TAB. TAB members have opportunities to earn community service credit throughout the year.
Date: Monday, August 2 Time: 7:30-8:30 PM

SIGN UP BEGINS JUNE 1st MOST CLASSES LIMITED TO 15
CALL 732-632-8526 OR WRITE: KLiss@Lmxac.org

Community Service Projects

BOOK FRIENDS (Gr. 8-12)
We’ll pair you up with a beginner reader; you’ll read to them and they’ll read to you. This program is for the mature teen who would enjoy spending time each week with a 1st or 2nd grader at the Library in a supervised program with varied and fun activities included! Earn up to 8 hours of service credit. Application is required. Training is mandatory. Limited to 12 participants.)
Dates: June 6, training date. Dates: Tues., July 13, 20, and 27
Time: 10:45 AM—Noon

GAME PARTNERS (Gr.8-12)
Get ready to run the Library’s first Video Game Tournament for younger kids. Game Partners will plan the program by deciding the grades to involve, the games to play, and the prizes to win; and they’ll run the event on Sunday, Sept. 12. On summer planning days, there will be time for Game Partners’ participants to play too. You must be available to come to at least one of the planning sessions and to the 9/12 event. Earn up to 8 hours of community service credit. (Ask for an application. Limited to 12 Partners.)
Planning dates: Tues., Aug. 3, Aug. 10
Planning time: 1-3 PM
The Event: Sun., 9/12; 2:00-4:00 PM

For more info about all YA programs, visit our Website metuchenlibraryteens.org and join our facebook group “Metuchen Library Teens”

Registration begins June 1
For more information or
to sign up for All Programs,
Call the Library at 732-632-8526
Or E-mail KLiss@Lmxac.org

Metuchen Public Library
480 Middlesex Avenue
732-632-8526