New Year's Bowling Party!

Join us at Classic Bowl, 8530 Waukegan Road, Saturday, January 6, 12 - 3 pm for the MGPL Teen Library Council New Year's Bowl! Kick off 2007 with some new friends on the TLC. All teens welcome! Sign up to reserve your spot and return the permission form to the Library. Permission forms are available from this link, Release Form, or at the Reference Desk. We will be meeting at the bowling alley. Hope to see you there! Any questions? Call us at 847-929-5101.

Happy Winter Break from School!

Enjoy your time to yourself free of classes, tests, and cafeteria food!

Does anyone plan to read anything for fun?

Send your comments with books, new movies, and video game reviews and recommendations.

Reminder about Volunteer Opportunity this Saturday!

TLC Members voted to volunteer to represent MGPL at a gift wrapping table located at the Lord and Taylor at Old Orchard Mall. Volunteers will wrap gifts during the afternoon on Saturday, December 16, 2006. Please respond to this post or call the Library at 847-929-5101 for more information if you are interested in joining the group of teen volunteers.

Packages will be in boxes and easy to wrap - no experience necessary! All volunteers will receive a MGPL Teen Zone t-shirt to keep and wear while we wrap the gifts. Come for the whole time or just a few hours. All volunteers are welcome and appreciated!

A Must Read! From Read, Eat, And Discuss Book Club

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding was an overwhelming favorite at December's Read, Eat, And Discuss book club meeting on Thursday, December 7.

It was tough to decide which was the scariest part of this fantasy, thriller plot that twisted through the dark streets of London. The group decided if this book was made into a movie that we would go see it in a snap! We also decided which Hollywood stars we would cast as all of the characters.

Please post a comment if you have read the title and have thoughts to share.

Join us at the upcoming meetings, Thursday, January 4 @ 7pm to discuss How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff and Thursday, February 1 @ 7pm to discuss Looking for Alaska by John Green.

New members are welcome at all book club meetings.

Happy Reading!

Saturday's Snowflakes!

Okay, so maybe our snowflakes did not turn out EXACTLY like the photo...but they did turn out pretty cool!

Everyone left with one finished snowflake and a kit to make a second one at home. I will add photos as soon as I receive them from the Morton Grove Champion newspaper photographer that dropped by to take photos. It was a wonderful afternoon of crafting, laughing, sipping cocoa, and breaking for snacks.

Thank you to those that attended and braved the winter weather! Keep warm inside this week with a good book, DVD, or PS2 game from the Library!

DDR Superstars from Saturday's Tournament!

Congratulations to the First, Second, and Third Place Prize Winners!

First Place - Lynette
Second Place - Kelly
Third Place - Nik
Thank you to everyone that participated in the Dance Dance Revolution Competition, open play session, and pizza party! Every level of DDR was on display last Saturday, from beginner level all the way up to mad skills!

After a half hour of practice, the two round competition began. The top ten high scores from the first round advanced to the second round of the competition where they competed for the highest score. After the competition, there was an open play session and many people tried DDR for the first time- while enjoying plenty of pizza and refreshments.

Glenview, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, and Skokie Public Libraries were all represented.
Thank you to all the DDR Superstars!

Video Games Arriving to MGPL for Check-out!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 2, 2006, for the roll out of the new Video Game Collection at MGPL!

The video games can be checked out according to the same policies as the DVDs. Until the collection reaches a certain size, there is a limit to one per library card. So make sure that you and your friends have current cards so you can each check one out! First come, first serve. The first comment to this post will be a list of all the games in the Teen Zone collection.

What are the top three PS2 Games that you would suggest for the collection? The Library purchases games T-rated or lower. Which gaming system(s) do you own or play on the most?

All feedback appreciated to help this collection grow!

Two teens chill out after school in the Teen Zone...

Last thursday after school, two guys were thrilled to watch a DVD on the new Listening and Viewing Station in the Teen Zone at MGPL. Stop in and give it a try for yourself. You may bring your own headphones or borrow them from the Reference Desk. As you can see in the photo, two can listen at once!

Read, Eat, And Discuss recommends The House of the Scorpion!

At the November 2 meeting of Read, Eat, and Discuss Teen Book Club we discussed The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. The group voted four out of four stars to this futuristic, science fiction, coming of age, good verses evil, page-turning title! There were many aspects to the book that we thought would make an excellent movie!

Post a comment here if you have read the title and have thoughts to share.

Please join us at the next meeting Thursday, December 7 @ 7pm. We will be discussing The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding.

If you would like to know upcoming dates and titles for future planning...
Thursday, January 4 @ 7pm, How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Thursday, February 1 @ 7pm, Looking for Alaska by John Green

New members are welcome at all book club meetings.

Happy Reading!

Teen Craft: Snowflake Ornament

Saturday, December 2, 11 am - 12:30 pm

Join us at MGPL to make beaded snow flake ornaments that are
perfect for window decorations, holiday decor, winter gifts, etc.

Sign up at the Reference Desk, call (847)-929-5101, or e-mail info@webrary.org to reserve your spot!

Happy Halloween from MGPL!

Are you dressing up in costume for school or a party or both?! What are you going to be this year? Share your cool costume or party ideas!

35 + Teens Got Their Groove on at Saturday's DDR Competition!

Thank you to MGPL's Dance Dance Revolution Team that competed this Saturday at Niles Public Library's Inter-Library Competition. Morton Grove, Des Plaines, Glenview, Niles, and Park Ridge Public Libraries were all represented!

The event consisted of a two round competition, open-play session, tons of pizza, and awards!

Mark your calendars and join us for the next DDR Competition at Morton Grove Public Library on Saturday, November 18, 1 - 4 pm!

Below is an action shot of Nik...he qualified for the second round of the competition!

New Listening and Viewing Station Coming Soon to the Teen Zone!

A 14 inch TV/DVD machine is arriving to the Teen Zone at MGPL. This machine can be used for CDs, MP3s, and DVDs with your own personal headphones or headphones borrowed from the Reference Desk. It will be available in the upcoming weeks, be sure to stop in and give it a try. Two can listen and view at once, so bring a friend.

Thanks to the Teen Library Council members for this very cool idea!

Read, Eat, And Discuss: Teen Book Club

At the October 5 meeting, we discussed If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson. The group unanimously decided four out of four stars for the realistic "first love" story that is set in New York City.

Post a comment here if you have read the title and have thoughts to share.

Please join us at the next meeting, Thursday, November 2 @ 7 pm. We will be discussing The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.

The group selected titles for the upcoming December and January meetings. The December title is The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding. The January title is How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff.

Happy Reading!

Join us for the next Teen Film Night

Thursday, September 28 @ 7 pm, Glory Road
Starring Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, and Jon Voight
Don Haskins, a future Hall of Fame coach of tiny Texas Western University, bucks convention by simply starting the best players he can find: history's first all-African American lineup.

Thursday, October 26 @ 7 pm, The Skeleton Key
Starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, John Hurt, and Peter Sarsgaard
When Caroline Ellis takes a job as a hospice worker in Louisiana's bayous, she unlocks a deadly secret involving magic, conjure, and sacrifice that pulls her into a terrifying world of strange, frightening, and unexplained incidents. The key to escaping may lie in a decrepit attic, but if she dares to believe in what she discovers, everything she fears will become real.

Do you have a suggestion for the December Teen Film? Please let us know!

Volunteer Opportunity in December!

TLC Members voted to volunteer to represent MGPL at a gift wrapping table located at the Lord and Taylor at Old Orchard Mall. Volunteers will gift wrap during the afternoon on Saturday, December 16, 2006. Please respond to this post for more information if you are interested in joining the group of teen volunteers.

Put on your dancing socks and join the MGPL DDR Team!

Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 1 - 4 pm @ Niles Public Library

Teen Library Groups from Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Glenview, and Morton Grove Public Libraries will be competing in a Dance Dance Revolution Tournament. Sign up to join the DDR team and help bring the trophy home to MGPL! Space is limited, please inquire today to reserve your spot. Reply to this post, call the Library 847-929-510, or e-mail info@webrary.org to sign up!

Permission forms must be turned in to MGPL by Friday, October 20, 2006. Permission forms are available at the Reference Desk. The team will meet @ Niles Public Library on Saturday, October 21, 2006, 1 pm.

The next competition is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2006 @ Morton Grove Public Library!

Read, Eat, And Discuss: Teen Book Club

At our September 7 meeting we discussed The Beast by Walter Dean Myers. After a very thoughtful discussion, our group rated the book 1.5 stars out of 4. Ouch! Hopefully the next book will be rated higher.

The next book club meeting is @ 7 pm on Thursday, October 5, 2006. We will be discussing If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson.

The group also selected the title for the meeting on November 2, 2006. We will be discussing The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.

Teen Library Council Meeting

The next meeting of the TLC will be Thursday, September 14, 7 - 8:30 pm. If you are interested in brainstorming and planning teen events at the Library, join the TLC!

TLC is a great way to meet new friends, get involved in the community, earn volunteer service hours, and share opinions on how the Library can best serve teens. New members are always welcome!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

Your library card is the smartest card you own - it's your ticket to a world of opportunity. Get it. Use it. @ the Morton Grove Public Library!

The first 100 Morton Grove residents to sign up for a new card or renew their cards at the library will receive a slam-dunk, sling-pack bag!

8 out of 10 TLC Members Bowl Strikes!

Adriel, Aneesh, Ashtar, Fatima, Katy, Saagar, Urveel, and Zainub!

We all had our share of gutterballs too!

The average score for the guys team was 71 and for the girls the average score was 60. The high score for the guys team was 93 and for the girls it was 125! Everyone was a great sport. Plenty of high fives, applause, and laughter!


Come to the next TLC meeting to help brainstorm and plan teen events at MGPL. Thursday, September 14 @ 7 pm.

Thank you for participating in TLC this summer! Good luck with your new school year and first days back to class. See you soon at MGPL!

King Kong, Giant Robo, and Johnny Cash @ the Library...

Upcoming movies on the big screen at MGPL! Come hang out in the air conditioning and enjoy a free movie. No registration necessary.

August 4, 2006 (Friday)
Baxter Room
2:00pm "King Kong" (2005, PG-13, 187 min.)

August 7, 2006 (Monday)
Baxter Room
7:00pm Club Banzai: Anime Film for Teens - showing of "Giant Robo, The Day the Earth Stood Still" Volume 2, 120 minutes

August 17, 2006 (Thursday)
Baxter Room
2:00 & 7:00pm Feature Film: "Walk the Line" (2005, PG, 136 min.)

Read, Eat, And Discuss: Teen Book Club

Friday, August 11 @ 11 am, the Teen Book Club is meeting to eat pizza and discuss the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Tuesday, August 15 @ 3 pm, the Teen Book Club is watching the movie Speak in the auditorium at the Library.

All teens are welcome to join our group for either or both of the events!

The next R.E.A.D. Teen Book Club meeting is Thursday, September 7 @ 7 pm to discuss
The Beast by Walter Dean Myers.

Happy Reading!

Teen Game Night

Blokus, Pictionary, Scattegories, Stratego, Connect 4, and Monopoly were all part of the entertainment last night at MGPL's Teen Game Night! We ran out of time on a speed round of Monopoly that we agreed we should start with next time. It was great to see everyone and have lots of laughs. Thanks to Shawn and Jay for helping to clean up!

The next Teen Game Night is Thursday, August 31, 7 - 8:30 pm. It will be fun to hear about everyone's first days back at school. Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation and see you soon at MGPL!

TLC End of Summer Bowl!

Join us at Classic Bowl, 8530 Waukegan Road, August 17, 1 - 3 pm for the MGPL Teen Library Council End of Summer Bowl! The third meeting of the TLC will be at Classic Bowl to have some fun before the first week back to school. Sign up and have your permission form turned in at the Library by Monday, August 14. We will be meeting at the bowling alley. Hope to see you there! Any questions? Call us at 847-929-5101.



The first fall meeting of TLC will be Thursday, September 14, 7 pm.

TLC! Teen Library Council

At our second meeting this summer:
We voted on titles for the R.E.A.D. Teen Book Club (Read, Eat, and Discuss!) The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, August 11
@ 11 am to discuss Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Set a date for Teen Game Night, Thursday, July 27 @ 7 pm. All teens welcome! Grab your favorite CD and game and come hang out. What are you bringing? (Yourself and a friend is a perfect answer!)

A fun TLC personality quiz predicted what Reality Show each of us would most likely appear. The results?

7 The Bachelor / The Bachelorette
4 Survivor
3 American Idol
2 Last Comic Standing

Books, music, movies...what are your picks this summer?

Win a Sansa m240 MP3 Player this Summer at MGPL!

Over 200 hundred teens and adults are participating in MGPL's Summer Reading Challenge for fun prizes and grand prizes. The Summer Reading Challenge is from June 5 - August 5. It is not too late to sign up!

Read books of your choice. Each book that you read and submit is an entry for one of three Grand Prize drawings. Two of the winners will receive MP3 Players! The third winner will receive a DVD player! All Grand Prizes include a $50 Gift certificate to Lord and Taylor, Two Ravinia Lawn Passes, a Subway Gift Certificate, and a Morton Grove Library bag of gifts!

Many thanks to Circuit City in Niles, Ravinia Music Festival, Lord and Taylor of Old Orchard, and Subway of Morton Grove, who generously donated prizes for the Morton Grove Public Library Summer Reading Challenge!

The blog has arrived...

New Teen Zone Blog! Be sure to check here for Library news and happenings for teens and post your comments.