Oak Lawn Public Library Teen Blog

Nintendo Unveils New System - the Wii U

2011-06-07T16:33:00.005-06:00

All right - another new set of games for the Library to buy! ...but not for another year. Today at E3, the big electronics and gaming convention, Nintendo released information about its next game system, the Wii U.

The new system will have HD graphics, similar to the level seen on Xbox 360 and PS3. It will still be compatible with the Wii-mote and "nunchuck" controllers, but it will also come with a new controller that includes a small screen that provides additional information, a camera, microphone, stereo speakers, and a DS-style stylus to write on the screen.

First Picture of the Movie Katniss

2011-05-19T15:10:00.003-06:00

Entertainment Weekly scored the first picture of actress Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the hero of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Lawrence stars in the movie based on the first book, set to be released in March of 2012.

If you haven't yet tried The Hunger Games, it's a popular series about young people forced by an oppressive government to fight to the death in "the Hunger Games" in order to provide food for their homelands. Katniss volunteers for the Games to protect a loved one. But she soon finds herself caught up in government conspiracies, shifting alliances, and betrayal. How can she trust anyone if only one person can live?

Summer Reading: You Are Here

2011-05-01T15:27:00.002-06:00

Registration for You Are Here begins Tuesday, May 31. Grades 6 to 8 may register at the Youth Services Desk. Grades 9-12 may register at the Help Desk.

See the complete details for Grades 6-8.

See the complete details for Grades 9-12.

Teen Tech Week: YouTube Night, March 10, 7 to 8 p.m.

2011-03-03T15:41:00.003-06:00

To celebrate Teen Tech Week, the Oak Lawn Public Library will host its second YouTube Night on Thursday, March 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. Anyone in middle or senior high may attend, but what we're really looking for are your favorite clips. Comment on this post with the name or link of your favorite on-line video, and we'll show them the night of the program.

Guidelines:

All clips should be 5 minutes or less.
All clips should be appropriate for the audience.
Videos do not have to be from YouTube, but they should be easily found on-line.
At the end of the night, we'll vote on our favorite clips. Winners will receive small prizes.

Even if you don't have a clip to send, come check out the final show. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Research Databases @ Oak Lawn Public Library

2010-11-17T09:17:00.007-06:00

Lots of great sources to help you with your research papers and projects!

http://www.oaklawnlibrary.org/YS_research_tools/YS_research_tools.html

Make Waves @ Your Library - Summer Reading 2010

2010-08-19T13:28:00.004-06:00

YouTube Night: The Complete Lineup

2010-06-26T09:21:00.007-06:00

On Thursday night, 38 teens came out to our YouTube Night event! While eating snacks, we watched a wide variety of videos submitted by our teens, plus a few extra. It was like our very own film festival. At the end, we voted on the best video in the following categories: Music, Animated, Scary, and Funny. The winners took home boxes of movie candy (or ate them during the extra clips).

In case you weren't one of the lucky ones to see it, here are the videos:

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (embedding disabled)

YouTube Night: Send Us Your Clips

2010-06-16T09:03:00.000-06:00

On YouTube Night, we'll be showing clips submitted by everyone who signed up for the program. If you've registered, please give us your clips, either at the desk or by copying and pasting the link into a comment on this post.

To get you in the mood, here's a starter clip: "Pigeon: Impossible."

Monday Night Movie Club: The Lineup

2010-06-15T08:48:00.000-06:00

On Monday, the Monday Night Movie Club had its first screening, Jaws, and voted on the rest of the movies it will watch this summer. The lineup is as follows:

June 21 - Splash (PG, 1984) - An ordinary man falls in love with a mermaid. Starring Tom Hanks and Darryl Hannah.

June 28 - Jurassic Park (PG-13, 1993) - Based on the book by Michael Crichton. A paleontologist and others visit a theme park full of living dinosaurs.

July 12 - Clue (PG, 1985) - Based on the popular board game. Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, and several other suspects try to solve who killed Mr. Boddy. With three different endings. Can you guess who really did it?

July 19 - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (PG, 2010) - Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of a Greek god and must clear his name by discovering who stole Zeus's master lightning bolt. Based on the book by Rick Riordan.

Ghosts Haunt the NYPL

2010-05-21T00:00:00.002-06:00

As if the New York Public Library system didn't have it bad enough: The system is facing major cutbacks in service and staffing. Now the main branch is getting haunted again. Who you gonna call?

* * *
And speaking of movies coming alive at the library, don't miss Oak Lawn Public Library's Monday Night Movie Club, starting June 14 with a 6 p.m. screening of Jaws. To sign up for Movie Club, register for the Summer Reading Club starting June 1.

How Do You Use Your Cell Phone?

2010-05-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

A recent study by Pew Internet Research shows that about 75% of teens now have a cell phone. Do you? How does your use compare to those in the study?

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2010-05-18T08:35:00.003-06:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Chains book talk

2010-05-18T08:32:00.001-06:00

Chains book talk

Make Waves at Your Library

2010-05-18T08:30:00.001-06:00

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

2010-05-18T08:22:00.002-06:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

2010-05-18T08:20:00.002-06:00

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

2010-05-18T08:10:00.003-06:00

All Shook Up by Shelley Pearsall

2010-05-18T08:00:00.003-06:00

Boy Who Dared by Susan Bartoletti

2010-05-18T07:54:00.001-06:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Game Night Next Wednesday

2010-05-05T10:56:00.002-06:00

Our next Teen Game Night will be Wednesday, May 12, from 7 to 8:30 in the Lower Level Meeting Room. Play XBox 360, Wii, and Guitar Hero. You are welcome to bring your own systems, controllers, and games (E or T games only). Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Make Waves at Your Library

2010-05-03T10:21:00.006-06:00

Who: Oak Lawn students going into grades 6-12
What: Summer Reading Club - reading for fun and prizes, + programs
When: June 1 to July 31
Where: Oak Lawn Public Library – Youth Services, the Help Desk, and Reference

For students going into grades 6-8:

Beginning June 1, register at the Youth Services Department with your library card.
Read library books.
For every 3 hours you read, receive a prize, up to 18 hours and six prizes.
You may report up to once per week and take advantage of our weekly contest.

For students going into grades 9-12:

Register at the Help Desk with your library card - first 120 win a beach bag.
Read, listen, or view any combination of 10 books, CDs, audio books, or movies.
Win prizes, including beach mats. Grand prizes: Flip video camcorder; 2 tickets to opening night of Traces @ Broadway Playhouse in Water Tower Place.
Solve the Summer Reading Program Scavenger Hunt in the upstairs Reference Department for a chance to win a grand prize.

Programs and events are available to students in Grades 6 to 10 registered for Make Waves:

GAME TIME
Wednesday, June 9; 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. OR 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
No registration required
Lower Level Meeting Room
Start off your summer with open game play on Xbox360, Wii, Rock Band, and more. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE CLUB
Mondays, June 14, 21, 28; July 12 and 19; 6 to 8:30 p.m.
No registration required
Lower Level Meeting Room
See a variety of PG/PG-13 movies followed by a discussion over snacks. Come to the first show to help vote on upcoming films.
June 14 – Jaws
June 21 – Splash

JUNIOR FRIENDS
Registration begins June 1
Limit 15
Orientation meeting: Monday, June 7, 4 to 4:30 p.m.
Volunteer to help in the Youth Services Department. 1 hour per week for 10 weeks.
BOOK BUDDIES
Tuesdays, 1:00 to 1:30 p.m.
June 15, 22, and 29, July 6, 13, and 20
Limit 40
Registration Begins June 1
Orientation Meeting: Tuesday, June 8, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Volunteer to read to future readers (ages 3 to 6) for a half hour each week. All older readers earn service hour credit.

FLIP FLOP WORKSHOP
Grades 6 to 10
Wednesday, June 16, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. OR 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Limit 20
Registration Begins June 1
Lower Level Meeting Room
Use your creativity and turn a pair of plain flip flops into a fashion wonder, using a few decorations and a glue gun. Participants must bring in their own pair of flip flops to decorate – Flip Flops will not be provided. Beads and all other supplies will be provided.

SIGN LANGUAGE
Grades 5 to 10
Thursdays, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., June 17 to July 8
Limit 30
Registration begins June 1
Learn sign language this summer! Participants will master the manual alphabet and many basic signs, which are used in daily life by many speech and hearing-impaired people in the United States. Each week new signs will be learned and incorporated into stories and songs.

YOUTUBE NIGHT
Grades 6 to 10
Thursday, June 24, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Registration begins June 1
Lower Level Meeting Room
(Registration is required to submit a clip; all others may come for the show.)
After you sign up, send us one of your favorite YouTube clips. On the night of the show, we’ll break out the snacks and the beanbag chairs and, watch the clips together. The group will vote on the best clips in these categories: Funny; Sad; Scary; Musical; Animated. Winners will receive movie candy as prizes.

WATER OLYMPICS
Grades 5 to 10
Tuesday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. to noon OR 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Limit 30
Registration begins June 1
Lower Level Meeting Room
Go for the gold this summer during our Water Olympics! Test your balancing skills on a penny, race a water-drop through a maze, stretch water to its breaking point, and compete for fastest boater and more during this wet and wild program. Awards will be given to the top three athletes for each event.

SPArty!
Wednesday, June 30, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. OR 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Limit 20
Registration begins June 1
Lower Level Meeting Room
Ahhh…summer is the time for fun and relaxation! Join us for a spa party where you can make your own lip gloss, paint your nails, enjoy some summer snacks, and more! Please wear old, comfortable clothes to the program. Relaxing can get messy!

WHO’S TELLING THIS STORY, ANYHOW?
Tuesday, July 6, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Game rules and registration available beginning June 1
Lower Level Meeting Room
Calling all wannabe actors, show-offs, and class clowns! Join us for some improv games starring you! Teams of two to three will take turns playing games involving scenes from books and movies in our collection. Bring a couple of stories you know and love (or hate) – we’ll provide more. Games may include: Backwards Stories; Crazy Props; and Standing, Sitting, and Lying Down.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE POSEIDON PARTY
Grades 5 to 10
Tuesday, July 13, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. OR 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Limit 25 per session
Registration begins June 28
Lower Level Meeting Room
Take an epic quest with Percy Jackson as you explore the world of Greek myths and legends in a series of games and challenges. From Mount Olympus to the Underworld, you’ll stare down Medusa, lock horns with the Minotaur, and find the Golden Fleece.

WATER MYSTERIES
Wednesday, July 14, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Limit 30 Participants
Registration begins June 28
Lower Level Meeting Room
Put on your detective hat to solve puzzles and mysteries on the lakes and in the rivers. You’ll learn how real-life experts track pollution and other threats to waterways. Then you’ll face the same type of challenges, using maps and clues to trace these environmental hazards to their source.

WHERE AM I?
Wednesday, July 21, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. OR 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Limit 20 per session
Registration begins June 28
Outside in the park next to the Library
Learn how to go on a high-tech treasure hunt called “geocaching.” Figure out where you are and how to get where you want to be using compasses and hand held GPS devices. Join us on the Village Green and experience the thrill of the hunt.

2010-05-01T08:19:00.000-06:00

Yummy Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Many Americans believe that Cinco de Mayo ("May 5th" in Spanish) commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain. In fact, it began as a local holiday that celebrated Mexico's defeat of the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

http://allrecipes.com//Info/Holidays-Events-and-Occasions/Cinco-de-Mayo/Main.aspx

Simmons Middle School Booktalks 4/26/10

2010-04-26T13:23:00.001-06:00

Brooks, Kevin
Martyn Pig

Dowell, Frances
Chicken Boy

Fleischman, John
Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

Giles, Gail
Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters

Klass, Sheila
Soldier’s Secret: The Story of Deborah Sampson

Paulsen Gary
How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Pearsall, Shelley
All Shook Up

Peck, Robert
The Teacher’s Funeral

Potter, Ellen
Olivia Kidney

Sanderson, Brandon
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

Sonnenblick, Jordan
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

Tashjian, Janet
Gospel According to Larry

Turner, Tracey
World of the Weird

EARTH DAY

2010-04-15T15:57:00.000-06:00

Photo from: http://www.changethethought.com/wp-content/earthday2008.jpg

Click on the link below to find out what you can do:

http://www.earthday.net/node/145

April Teen Craft Night

2010-04-15T09:09:00.000-06:00

Make your own cell phone case!

Wedesday, April 28 - 7-8pm

2010-04-01T15:54:00.000-06:00

Art made out of Peeps!

http://www.peepsshow.com/

Teen Craft Night

2010-03-24T15:48:00.001-06:00

Who:Students in grades 6-8

What:Gift Box Craft

Where:Oak Lawn Public Library

When:Wednesday, March 31 @ 7pm

http://z.about.com/d/rubberstamping/1/0/E/H/-/-/finishedside.jpg

Shrinky Dink Craft Night!

2010-02-20T10:27:00.000-06:00

When: Wednesday, February 24 from 7-8pm
Where: Oak Lawn Public Library
What: Make shrinky dinks and eat snacks.

2010-02-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

St. Valentine's Day Massacre, 1929

Posing as police officers conducting a routine raid on February 14, 1929, four men entered a warehouse at 2122 N. Clark Street, used by George “Bugs” Moran and his gang to store liquor. The impostors lined up six gang members and a hanger-on against a wall, produced machine guns from under their overcoats, and opened fire.
The prime suspect was Al Capone, head of Chicago's crime syndicate. Moran's North Side gang, the largest obstacle to the Capone organization's power in metropolitan Chicago, had hijacked Capone's liquor shipments, competed in protection rackets, and murdered Capone allies. Law enforcement officials could not prove any involvement by Capone, who was in Miami at the time. No one was ever tried for the killings.
The raid's cold-blooded efficiency left the public in shock, and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre came to symbolize gang violence. It confirmed popular images associating Chicago with mobsters, crime, and spectacular carnage. The site of the warehouse, razed in 1967, continues to draw tourists from around the world.

Christopher P. Thale

Bibliography
Ruth, David E. Inventing the Public Enemy: The Gangsters in American Culture, 1918–1934. 1996.
Schoenberg, Robert J. Mr. Capone. 1992.
http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1191.html

January Programs @ the Library

2010-01-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

Starting this month, teen programs will be held every Wednesday night! Programs include a movie the first week, a game night the second, and a craft or project on the fourth week. During the third week, we hold our Teen Advisory Board, where you can come, eat snacks, and help us plan future programs. (It counts as volunteer service, too.)

This month's schedule:

January 6 - Star Trek (2009), 6:30-8:30 p.m.

January 13 - Game Night

January 20 - Teen Advisory Board

January 27 - Make Your Own Mardi Gras Mask

2010-01-04T11:01:00.000-06:00

New Year's Celebrations Around the World

2010-01-02T13:19:00.001-06:00

Here's a look at how people celebrated the arrival of 2010 from around the world.

2010-01-01T10:57:00.000-06:00

2010

2009-12-26T10:54:00.000-06:00

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th, the day after Christmas and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Check out this website to find out more!

http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/index.htm

2009-12-25T10:48:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Did you know that Christmas is the largest card-sending holiday in the United States? More than 1.9 billion cards are sent to family and friends every year -- one billion more than the 192 million cards given or sent on Valentine's Day, the nation's second largest card holiday.

2009-12-11T10:40:00.000-06:00

Hanukkah begins at sundown Friday, December 11th.

Check out this website to find out the history of Hanukkah, get some yummy recipes, and more!

http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/

Cute Kitty Video

2009-12-10T10:36:00.001-06:00

Homework Help: Math

2009-12-05T10:13:00.000-06:00

http://www.math.com/

You'll find homework help, puzzles, calculators, wonders of math, biographies of famous mathematicians, but best of all - A Homework Help Search Engine. Use this to find the help you need fast!

TeensHealth

2009-12-05T10:07:00.000-06:00

A safe, private place to get information about health, growth, and emotions.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/

Hannukah: December 2-9

2009-11-30T10:02:00.001-06:00

Make a yummy treat to celebrate Hannukah!

http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/recipes.htm

Electronic Greetings Day: November 29

2009-11-29T09:51:00.000-06:00

Send an ecard to a friend!

http://kids.yahoo.com/ecards

National Game & Puzzle Week: November 22-28

2009-11-20T09:42:00.000-06:00

http://www.jigzone.com/

How much time do you have?

JigZone is an online Jigsaw Puzzle where you choose the level of difficulty from a simple 6 piece cut to a challenging 247 piece cut.

2009-11-11T09:39:00.003-06:00

About Veterans Day

Great Britain, France, and other countries celebrate November 11th as Armistice Day to commemorate the ending of World War I on November 11, 1918. Fighting ceased at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month. Canada celebrates Remembrance Day on this same date.

The history of the Veterans Day in the United States is as follows:

1919 - President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day to remind Americans of the tragedies of war.

1938 - The day becomes a federal holiday.

1954 - Congress changes the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all United States Veterans.

Today, in the United States, Veterans Day commemorates the courage and patriotism of all the men and women who have served in the United States military.

The Downside of Being Harry Potter

2009-10-22T12:56:00.002-06:00

At least his parents weren't killed by an evil wizard...

A real-life Harry Potter, the same age as actor Daniel Radcliffe, explains how sharing a name with a famous book and movie hero has made his life difficult.

For starters? Most people, including his girlfriend, don't believe him when he first tells his name.

(Photo source: Caters News Agency Ltd., via Mail Online)

Teen Read Week

2009-10-17T08:03:00.001-06:00

Teens Did This: Teen Builds Own Windmill

2009-10-08T13:44:00.003-06:00

Do It Yourself Science Project: After being forced to leave school because his family couldn't afford the fees, Malawian teenager William Kamkwamba had to teach himself by using his local library. (Always a good idea!) His most famous project: Bringing fresh water and electricity to his small village for the first time by building a windmill.

(Photo source: BBC News.)

2009-10-06T11:02:00.000-06:00

2009-10-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

2009-10-06T10:59:00.000-06:00

2009-09-14T15:13:00.003-06:00

Oak Lawn Public Library

Your Discovery Destination Logo Contest

To launch its first ever branding program, the library is enlisting the creativity of community members to produce a memorable logo that captures the true spirit of Your Discovery Destination.

The contest is open to patrons of all ages, Oak Lawn residents and non-residents alike. However, parental consent is required for all submissions from those who are under 18 years of age.

For more information and to pick up a Logo Contest Entry Form, stop by the library's reception booth.

September Programs at OLPL

2009-09-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Upcoming teen programs at the library:

Monday, September 14: Junior Friends begins. Those registered for this volunteer program will attend an orientation meeting at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, September 16, 7 to 8 p.m.: Teen Advisory Board. Students in grades 6-10 are invited to give their opinions for volunteer service credit. We're looking for program ideas, what we should buy, and how we can improve service. Snacks and drinks provided.

Wednesday, September 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: Teen Game Night. Guitar Hero, Wii games, and more! You may bring your own PS2 and Wii games, guitars and Wii-motes, or even your own game system. (All games must be rated T or below.) Snacks and drinks also provided.

Teen Invents Solar Panel Made from Hair

2009-09-10T13:32:00.002-06:00

Solar panels can be a great way to produce clean, renewable electricity, but the panels can also be expensive to make. Now a teen in Nepal has discovered what he believes to be a way to make inexpensive solar panels out of human hair. The discovery began as a school project, but he believes it could help poor countries with little to no electricity tap into the sun's power.

President Addresses Nation's Students

2009-09-08T15:21:00.002-06:00

Transcript

Inventor's Month: Life!

2009-08-31T14:35:00.000-06:00

How's this for the ultimate invention: artificial life!

Ramadan 2009

2009-08-26T14:06:00.003-06:00

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is underway. Look here for more images of how it is celebrated across the globe.

Jr. Friends Registration Begins August 29

2009-08-26T14:01:00.003-06:00

If you're in grades 6 to 10 and looking for volunteer hours for any reason, you can earn them at the Oak Lawn Public Library. The Junior Friends of the Library program allows ten teens to volunteer for an hour per week for ten weeks, from September 14 through December 5.

To sign up, register with your library card at the Library, at the Youth Services Desk. Those who register will be asked to attend an orientation meeting on Monday, September 14 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

2009-08-16T13:09:00.001-06:00

Deep in the Heart of High School by Veronica Goldbach

Jacket Notes:Vanna Reynolds was popular and happy back in Plano, Texas, but now she lives with her mother in a tiny apartment in San Antonio. How can she start her freshman year as a complete nobody? Fatima Garcia does well in school and helps out with her family's construction business, but is worried about her weight. So she's thrilled when a junior starts paying attention to her - but is he really interested in Fatima? Olivia Silverstein tries to make life easier for her mother. Ever since her father died two years ago, she's been the perfect daughter. When will she get to have her own life?

More Inventions for Inventor's Month

2009-08-14T13:57:00.001-06:00

New inventions pop up everywhere around the world. Sometimes it's a new way to store energy, a way to overcome physical disabilities, or even just to get a better parking spot.

Then, of course, there's robot snakes, gloves that turn you into Spider-Man, and a smart phone app that gives you information about your surroundings as you look at them.

2009-08-14T13:08:00.002-06:00

My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

Jacket Notes:It's the end of junior year, and summer is about to begin. The Summer of Passion, to be exact, when Jory Michaels plans to explore all the possibilities of the future--and, with any luck, score a boyfriend in the process. But Jory has a problem. A big problem.

2009-08-12T13:07:00.001-06:00

Keysha's Drama by Earl Sewell

Jacket Notes:Sixteen-year-old Keysha Kendall is a judge's signature away from foster care when she's sent to live with the father she never knew. Suddenly she has her own room in his big fancy house, a high-powered stepmother and a popular half brother who can introduce her to all the right people at her new school.

2009-08-10T13:03:00.002-06:00

Shimmerby Dallas Reed

Jacket Notes:Set in the otherworldly atmosphere of a snowed-in town, this paranormal thriller features four teens who discover a mysterious box. When it is opened, a strange silver dust flies into the air, shimmers, then disappears. Soon, people in the town begin to change--and not for the better.

Limited Time Only: Download Scott Westerfeld's Uglies

2009-08-06T11:39:00.002-06:00

Want a free book? (Besides all the ones we have free to borrow at the Oak Lawn Public Library, of course.) For a limited time, publisher Simon & Schuster is offering a free download of Scott Westerfeld's novel, Uglies. (It's in the PDF format.) The story is a future in which everyone at age 16 is transformed from an "Ugly" to a "Pretty" -- someone who conforms to an ideal of beauty and who is free to play and party. But Tally Youngblood is about to discover the secret price for becoming pretty.

If the free sample gets you hooked, you can follow up on the series with Pretties, Specials, and Extras -- available at your local library.

Inventions: The Soccer-Playing Robot

2009-08-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Today's invention: a robot that plays soccer.

Happy Inventor's Month!

2009-08-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

August is National Inventor's Month! If you're interested in reading about inventors and inventions, a good place to start is in the Oak Lawn Public Library's non-fiction collections, in the 609's.

But there are all sorts of on-line resources about inventions, which we'll explore here. For example, did you know which inventions were discovered by accident? For a more recent example, you can read how scientists just discovered that blue food die can treat spinal injuries. The only problem? It turns the patient blue.

Movies: Star Wars Fan Films

2009-08-03T00:00:00.001-06:00

Our Monday Night Movie Club may be over, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy movies this summer. One way: The fan film. Fans of certain movies or characters will make their own films, armed only with home video equipment, really low budgets, and their own creativity.

One of the best-known outlets for fan films is theforce.net, a Star Wars fan site that features hundreds of homemade Star Wars films, as well as others. The site even discusses how you can make your own films, using legal music and sound effects, as well as homemade special effects.

Why do we bring this up now? Because the folks over at Atom Films have just announced the 2009 winners of the Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge. Click on the link to see this year's winners as well as past ones, including:

Star Sports - Theatrical Trailer

Atom.com: Funny Videos Spoofs Star Wars Fan Movies

Fabulous Digital Scrapbooks!

2009-08-01T13:12:00.002-06:00

Here are some fun pages that were made in the Digital Scrapbooking Class!

by Julia by Dana

by Magdalena by Elise

by Abdallah

Friday Animation: Simon's Cat "Fly Guy"

2009-07-31T12:00:00.000-06:00

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Playing the Clarinet Covered in Bees

2009-07-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

Combining last summer's "Catch the Reading Bug" theme with this year's creativity theme, we present: A man playing the clarinet covered in bees.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Sour's Videocam Video

2009-07-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

The Japanese band Sour recruited a bunch of people to use their web-cams in interesting ways for an unusual music video:

Summer Fun: Exploding Water Balloons

2009-07-28T13:21:00.002-06:00

With a fast camera, you can capture some amazing moments and freeze them in time. Example? Exploding Water Balloons!

Game Time Coming Up!

2009-07-27T19:40:00.004-06:00

The Library will host an afternoon game party in the lower level meeting room on Wednesday, July 29, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. We'll have Guitar Hero, DDR, Wii games, and more. You can even bring your own games to play, as long as they're rated Teen or below. Most games will be projected up onto two big screens. Snacks and drinks will also be provided. Bring friends and have fun!

Monday Night Movie Club Wrap-Up

2009-07-27T19:29:00.004-06:00

With tonight's screening of Poltergeist (1982, PG), the Monday Night Movie Club draws to a close. Club members saw two scary movies - Poltergeist and Cloverfield, two comedies - Monty Python and the Holy Grail and School of Rock, and a romantic drama, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

And club members were ready for more, asking when we will show the next films. Some suggested we hold an overnight movie party.

What do you think? Should the Library host more movies for teens during the year? What should we show, and when?

If you're in grades 6 to 10 and want to give us your opinion on programs the Library should offer, send us a comment on the blog OR contact us about joining the Teen Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB meets once a month during the school year to plan programs and improve service for people your age. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. It counts as volunteer service and free food is provided.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Manhole Covers?

2009-07-21T14:22:00.000-06:00

Can anything be an outlet for creativity? Apparently so, according to these creative manhole covers, and these from Japan.

Monday Night Movie Club: Pick the July 27 Movie!

2009-07-20T19:47:00.002-06:00

This will be our final film, so let's make it a good one! Members of the Monday Night Movie Club chose to see a horror or mystery/thriller.

Possible movies include:

Arachnophobia - killer spiders
Jaws - killer shark
Poltergeist - ghosts invade house
Twister - tornadoes
Poseidon - cruise ship flipped upside down
The Village - village surrounded by creatures
Ocean's 12 or 13 - gang of crooks commit perfect crimes
Mr. and Mrs. Smith - husband and wife spies
When a Stranger Calls - "He's calling from inside the house!"
Day After Tomorrow - ice age hits the world
Minority Report - police stop murders before they happen
The Ring - a movie that kills you after you watch it
The Mummy - adventurers resurrect an evil ruler
The Bourne Identity (or sequel) - a spy with amnesia
Your suggestion

Monday Night Movie Club for July 20: School of Rock

2009-07-17T22:40:00.001-06:00

Two movies got the top votes for Monday's comedy movie, but one was determined by staff to be slightly more age-appropriate. The movie for July 20 is School of Rock, starring Jack Black. It is rated PG-13 "for some rude humor and drug references."

Votes for the July 27 movie so far have asked for some type of mystery, horror, or thriller movie. Start suggesting titles on this post, or at this Monday's meeting!

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Keyboard Music

2009-07-15T12:00:00.002-06:00

Kisstunes provides a simple way to play music on your computer keyboard. You may play an electric or grand piano, or an acoustic guitar.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Mind-Control Wheelchair

2009-07-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

It sounds like something out of the X-Men, but researchers in Japan have figured out a way to let people control their electric wheelchairs using their brain waves. This could make a big difference in the lives of quadriplegics, who are unable to use their arms or legs.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Venice Biennale

2009-07-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Every two years, the city of Venice, Italy hosts a special exhibition of new art pieces. Check out this year's show at the Big Picture.

2009-07-10T14:53:00.001-06:00

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/

Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more using your own word lists.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: TXT Island

2009-07-10T13:37:00.001-06:00

Monday Night Movie Club: Choose Your Next Movie!

2009-07-07T15:14:00.001-06:00

Next week's movie is Cloverfield, a 2008 film about a mysterious attack on New York City. The movie is rated PG-13 "for violence, terror, and disturbing images." Keep in mind that everything is shown through a moving camera, so don't watch if you get motion sickness easily.

Now it's time to start voting for the films for July 20 and 27. You may vote by writing a comment to this article at the bottom. Look for the underlined link that has a number next to the word "comments." You must also include your name so we know that you belong to the Monday Night Movie Club.

July 20's film will be a comedy. You may vote from the following suggestions, or recommend your own. (Keep in mind that choices must be rated PG-13 or lower. If you're not sure, check http://www.imdb.com/.) We'll announce the winner on Friday, July 17.

Bad News Bears
Ferris Beuller’s Day Off
Fletch
Ghostbusters
The Naked Gun
Pink Panther (original series)
School of Rock
Spaceballs
Yes Man
Young Frankenstein
Your choice

Next, please tell us what type of movie you'd like to see on July 27. Action? Science-Fiction? Horror? Sports? Superhero? Western? Let us know, and we'll announce the category at the next meeting.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: 3-D Wall Murals

2009-07-06T00:00:00.001-06:00

3-D art moves from the sidewalk up to the walls today with some realistic murals by John Pugh.

What Does 1 Million Fireworks Look Like?

2009-07-03T09:00:00.002-06:00

Last November, owners of a new resort in Dubai threw a lavish party to celebrate its opening. The celebration included a fireworks display almost 10 times the size of the ones at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

Candy Fireworks

2009-07-03T08:28:00.000-06:00

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Julian Beever Sidewalk Art

2009-07-02T09:24:00.004-06:00

Julian Beever is a chalk artist who creates images that appear to be real, three-dimensional objects when you look at them from the right angle. See more of his pictures here (via Now That's Nifty.)

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Machu Picchu

2009-06-27T12:02:00.001-06:00

A creative video that combines Peruvian imagery with 3-D animation.

Machu Picchu Post from Machu Picchu Post Team on Vimeo.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Dance Around the World

2009-06-25T15:26:00.001-06:00

Check out dancing around the world at the Big Picture.

Cloverfield Monster Creates Power Outage!

2009-06-23T09:42:00.003-06:00

The Oak Lawn Public Library was without power on Monday, June 22. That forced us to cancel this week's Monday Night Movie Club. The club will meet on June 29 with our regularly scheduled film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Our first movie, Cloverfield, has been pushed back to Monday, July 13. Club members will still help decide what types of movies we see on July 20 and 27.

In the meantime, if you can't wait to get your fill of giant creatures and lots of property destruction, may we suggest:

Transformers
King Kong (1933, 1976, or 2005)
Godzilla
King Kong vs. Godzilla
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Them! (giant ants)
Jurassic Park

2009-06-18T13:50:00.001-06:00

Can you put together the puzzle?

http://www.thekidzpage.com/onlinejigsawpuzzles/index.htm

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Creative Businesspeople

2009-06-15T00:00:00.002-06:00

Can you make a living being creative? Read about the 100 most creative people in business at Fast Company.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Improv Everywhere

2009-06-11T00:00:00.003-06:00

Speaking of weddings, the pranksters at Improv Everywhere recently held a surprise wedding reception for one random couple who had just been married at the city clerk's office in Manhattan:

Enjoy the story, but whatever you do, don't read about any of their other missions, which are full of irresponsible and disruptive ideas that sometimes involve the police.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Stop-Motion Wedding Invitation

2009-06-10T00:00:00.003-06:00

The summer wedding season is here, and people all over the country are going to the weddings of family and friends. Here one groom with too much time on his hands created an amazing video invitation, complete with directions for how to get to the church.

Be Creative/Expresss Yourself Link of the Day: The Giant Puppet

2009-06-09T08:26:00.005-06:00

Last Friday the residents of Nantes, France (birthplace of Jules Verne) were treated to an unusual sight: a giant marionette of a deep-sea diver walking their streets. This is the latest of several giant creations presented by Royale de Luxe, a marionette street theater company.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Cluster Ballooning

2009-06-08T09:01:00.000-06:00

By now you may have seen the new movie Up, in which a man uses thousands of balloons to lift his house into the sky. You may have wondered whether it's possible to do that in real life. We don't know about a house, but a person? Possible, yes. A good idea? Probably not. Here's a look at the daredevil sport of cluster ballooning.

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Oktapodi

2009-06-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

Here's one of the 2009 Academy Award Nominees for Best Short Film (Animated)... Oktapodi:

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Giant Keyboard Music

2009-06-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Be Creative/Express Yourself Link of the Day: Food Art

2009-06-03T00:00:00.001-06:00

Today's piece of creativity: food art (via Now That's Nifty).

The Next Big Thing? Controller-free Gaming

2009-06-02T13:40:00.003-06:00

At the big E3 electronic gaming conference, held each year, companies such as Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony unveil new games and new technology you can use to play games. One highlight at E3 2009 was Microsoft's announcement of Project Natal. It's similar to the Wii's motion-control system, but it doesn't require anything like the "Wii-mote." It's a camera pointed at you, that recognizes your body movements, you face, even your voice.

Gamers, what do you think? Is it an improvement on the Wii-mote? Or does having to do all the work take the fun out of video games? What kind of games would this work best for? Is being watched by your game system okay, or intrusive?

Be Creative/Express Yourself: Artcyclopedia

2009-06-02T12:57:00.004-06:00

Website of the Week: Artcyclopedia -- a web site devoted to resources on artists, artworks, and artistic movements.

And don't forget: The High School Summer Reading Program offers you a chance to show off your artistic side by submitting your own creative project.

Also available to grades 6 to 10:

Window Cling Decorations - Wednesday, June 24, 7 to 7:30 OR 7:30 to 8 p.m.
Photo Contest - turn in up to 4 photos 4x6 or larger at Youth Services between June 15 and July 25. Winners will be on display in the Library in August.

Summer Reading Starts Today!

2009-06-01T00:00:00.002-06:00

Registration for Summer Reading begins today! Read and win prizes!

Students going into grades 6-8 may register for "Express Yourself" at the Youth Services desk.

Those going into grades 9-12 will register for "Be Creative" at the Help Desk. 9th and 10th graders may also participate in programs offered in Youth Services.

Your library card is required, so if you don't have one, bring a parent to the Circulation Desk to get one. If you're 18 or older, you can get one for yourself with proof that you live in Oak Lawn.

See you soon, and have a great summer!