February Events @ the City Library

Teen Programs at the Central Library!

February 2015

Monday February 2, 2015              3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.     

Light Painting   

Would you like to make your own fireworks! Create beautiful designs in the dark with flashlights, rope lighting, and light-up toys, and then learn to photograph them with the app LongExpo!                      Location: Central Library Community Room, 220 State St.

Monday February 9, 2015              4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.     

Cosplay Party

Anime and comics fans -- join us at our Cosplay Party. Dress as your favorite character or create your own character. We'll have prizes for the best costumes, play games on the Wii (bring a game to share if you like) and make some party snacks. Online registration is suggested but not required.                   Location: Central Library Community Room

Wednesday February 18, 2015             3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.     

Improv Comedy Workshop    

The Phantom Sheep Comedy troupe will entertain teens and tweens with their own improv and sketch comedy, then bring everyone into the action by helping teens learn to create their own comedy. There will be a few warm-up exercises followed by games that are as much fun to play as they are to watch, all in a very encouraging environment. Students will get a chance to shine as they work alongside and “on stage” with the troupe member-instructors themselves.                      Location: Central Library Community Room

Wednesday February 25, 2015             3:30 p.m.  -  5:30 p.m.   

School's Out! Snacks and Games for Teens

No school today! Join us at the library to prepare some tasty snacks and play some games on the Wii.                 Location: Central Library Community Room

For more information or to sign up, call Martha at 263-6828 x425 or go to the library’s website at www.springfieldlibrary.org. 

Paranormal Events @ Your Public Library

Boo! Paranormal Presentations in October

 

Come join us for ghoulies and ghosties, and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night, this October!

Ghostology 101
October 15, 6:30 – 7:45 pm 
East Forest Park Branch
Sign up online

This is the first in a series of programs designed to both entertain and educate the general public about the world of the paranormal. We’ll explore the basics of paranormal investigations, starting with terminology, equipment, EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), spirit photography and video, as well as “ghost hunting” skills and suggestions. Led by local experts from the Agawam Paranormal team, this fun and fascinating presentation is appropriate for older teens and adults.

Ghostology 201 
October 22, 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Indian Orchard Branch
Sign up online

This is the second in the series and gets into more advanced subject matters including demons, angels, necromancy, exorcism and possession. While it is believed that only a very small percentage of paranormal activity is caused by demons or their like, it is undeniably a very popular topic with today’s public. Here we will try to remove fact from fiction and see just how it all ties together. The program will include some hands-on experiments with the tools used by paranormal investigators including EMF meters, temperature work, and spirit photography. Updated for 2014, this segment is designed for an adult audience and really is not suited for children. Presented by the Agawam Paranormal team.

Mysterious Massachusetts
October 29, 6:30 – 7:45 pm
East Springfield Branch 
Sign up online

Reports of UFO’s, alien abductions, sea serpent sightings, haunted houses and the like abound in Massachusetts. Join library staff member Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe in this hour long review of weirdly fascinating paranormal activity in the Commonwealth. This program is good for teens and adults.

Ghostology 301
November 5, 6:30 – 7:45 pm 
East Forest Park Branch 
Sign up online

Get the lowdown on local haunted places and other paranormal activity in Springfield and its surrounding towns! This fun and exciting presentation is good for all ages, but is intended primarily for adults and older teens.

T-shirt raffle! We will raffle off a free Agawam Paranormal t-shirt at each Boo! program. All attendees who remain present through the end of the program earn a raffle ticket to win the free t-shirt.

Teen Events @ your Public Library

Celebrate Teen Read Week at the Library with programs that help teens Turn Dreams Into Reality!

Do you know what you want to do in life, but are not sure how to make it happen? Or are you trying to figure out what you want to do? At the East Forest Park Branch Library on Saturday October 18 at 12 noon, experts from Holyoke Community College and the UAspire Springfield Promise Program as well as local organizations that mentor teens will show you how to focus on your dreams and turn them into a reality.

Confused by the college admissions process? Learn all about how you can be ready to apply and open the door to college at the Mason Square Branch Library Saturday October 11 at 12 noon, at the Central Library Wednesday Oct. 15 at 6:00 pm, and at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library Tuesday Oct. 21 at 6:00 pm. Cynthia Swan and her staff from Springfield College will answer all your questions and share some of their personal experiences as students. There will be snacks at all the workshops – and pizza at the Mason Square session!

Teens who want a way to build their skills for schoolwork, or who enjoy learning something new online, can come to the Brightwood Branch Library on Thursday, October 16 at 4:30 pm to join educator Scott Wohlers in a demonstration of Khan Academy. This not-for-profit organization aims to the goal of changing education for the better by providing a free world-class education for anyone anywhere. Khan Academy’s materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge. A session for students of all ages, and their coaches, including parents and teachers will take place at the Central Library on Monday October 20 at 6:30 pm.

Teens’ dreams of shining onstage can happen when they come to the Teen Talent Show at the Forest Park Branch Library on Saturday October 18 at 1:00 pm. Can you sing, dance, play an instrument, recite a poem, or tell jokes? Show us your unique talent, no matter what it is!

All week, Dreams Into Reality Art Days are happening – check the calendarfor times and days at your branch library. Stop by the teen area at the Central Library, Brightwood, Forest Park, or Indian Orchard and use our art materials to make a poster or a three dimensional creation expressing the Teen Read Week theme “Turn Your Dreams Into Reality.” Put your artwork on display at the Library and earn an energy bar to get you going in making your dreams come true!

For all activities for teens and tweens, make sure you check our online calendar!

@ Your Public Library

                     

  

Springfield City Library Summer Reading Club for Teens 2014

                                                                             

Register for Spark a Reaction! at any Springfield City Library or from home starting

June 23. 

This summer, you earn rewards for reading and for learning new digital skills!

           

Go to the Library’s Teen Page, register, and share your opinions about the books you read.  Just click on Teens at the Library’s web site (www.springfieldlibrary.org) or type in this URL: http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/services/teens/.

Demonstrate your creative digital skills and earn more rewards. You can attend a Digital Media Mini-camp at any branch library and learn to make a video or a sound recording that will Spark a Reaction in your world.  Completed digital artworks will be shown at a Teen Digital Media Festival on August 20.

Here’s how you can participate:

Read and review 1 book: You’ve earned an invitation to Roller Skating Party held on August 4 at Interskate 91.

Read 5 books: We’ll order any book you’d like, up to a list price of $11.99.  Ask your librarian for the book order form.

Read 10 books: Choose a second book.  Or combine your prizes for 1 book up to $23.99 list price.

Read 15 books: You’ve definitely Sparked a Reaction at your Library! You’ve earned a gift card from Friendly’s, Subway or another restaurant.

New this year! Participate in a Digital Media Mini-camp and earn credit toward your book prizes. A two-day Mini-camp counts as 2 books logged, and submitting your completed video or sound recording for showing at our Teen Digital Media Festival counts as a 3^rd book.

If you need help logging your book reviews online, or if you have questions, ask your branch librarian or call Martha at 263-6828 ext.425.

The last day to log books is Saturday August 30.

Have fun reading!

Martha Coons, Young Adult Librarian, Springfield City Library     mcoons@springfieldlibrary.org