Now @ MPL...

October 14-20, 2007

1. Poster Contest

Your library wants you to submit posters based on the theme “LOL @ Your Library.”

Entries by teens age 13-18 will be accepted October 1-12 at all Milwaukee Public Libraries. Posters must be done by hand (not computer-generated) in any other medium including: pencil, chalk, ink, marker, paints, etc. Posters must be submitted on 8.5 x 11” paper. Each entry will be judged on composition, quality of drawing, originality, and how closely it relates to the theme. Winning posters will be displayed on the library’s web page.

PRIZES
1st place – $50 Target gift card
2nd place – $25 Target gift card
3rd place – $15 Target gift card

2. ComedySportz @ Washington Park Library (2121 N. Sherman Blvd.)
Thursday, October 18, 2007 6:30 p.m.
Sit back and laugh, or take the opportunity to stand up and make people laugh during this interactive improv comedy performance suitable for all ages. The entire show is fueled by audience suggestions and participation.

3. Meet the Author: Sonia Hayes @ Center Street Library (2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.)
Saturday, October 20, 2007 3:00 p.m.
Sonia Hayes, author of Ms. Thang and Urban Goddess, will present a book discussion based on her novels entitled: Flavor of Love Adolescents age 12-18 will be invited to explore the concept of love in various relationships including friends, family, romantic and, most importantly, self-love.

What: Sit back, laugh, and be entertained by the funniest people in town! Or take the opportunity to stand up and make people laugh during this interactive improv comedy performance suitable for all ages. The entire show is fueled by audience suggestions and participation.

When: Thursday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Washington Park Library (2121 N. Sherman Blvd.)

MPL Young Adult Services is proud to debut our MySpace page!

Teens can connect directly with young adult authors from all over the world, and learn about the many programs and resources for teens MPL has to offer. We encourage teens to submit artwork, book/game/website reviews, and any questions or comments on what they need from the library. Bookmark the site, and keep coming back to see what’s going on at your branch!

Have you ever wondered about the history of dance around the world? Come and join Elaina Qureshi as she reflects on the impact history has had on the world of dance and invites teens to join in the celebration! Come for the snacks, stay for the dancing.

The program will be at the following libraries.

Zablocki Library: Monday, October 29 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Forest Home Library:Tuesday, October 30 @ 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Bay View Library: Monday, November 5 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Washington Park Library: Tuesday, November 6 @ 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Capitol Library: Thursday, November 8 @ 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Central Library: Tuesday, November 13 @ 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Library: Tuesday, November 20 @ 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Thinking about what you'll do once you graduate from high school? Are you considering going to college? Then check out this free event! The Life After High School College Fair is tomorrow, November 3, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Centennial Hall (733 N. Eighth Street). You will have a chance to learn about area colleges, including Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Concordia University and others. Don't miss it!

This event is funded by a grant from the Helen Bader Foundation.

A college education is becoming more and more important these days. Unfortunately, it's also getting more and more expensive.
For anyone who is interested in going to college, but isn't sure how to afford it, Financial Aid 101 at the Bay View Library is a great place to get started, and get some questions answered.
The program is being put on by the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. It takes place Wednesday, November 14, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

The Center Street Library is holding an event for teenagers interested in learning about different careers. Pizza and popcorn will be available to be enjoyed while you can network with professionals working in careers that interest you.

Come and meet a Municipal Court Judge, a local writer, V100's Promotions Director, and US Army Sergeant, a Preacher/Chaplain, a daycare owner, a psychotherapist, and more!

Come to Center Street Library Monday, November 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Come and join us for our first ever MySpace, YouTube, Facebook night at the Center Street Library!

Show up to share your MySpace or Facebook page, and your favorite YouTube videos with other teens. Come discuss which video is funniest, and whose page is the best.

Share technical hints with other teens, and find out exactly how they did that! Join us Monday, December 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Play X-box at your local library in Winter.

East - Feb 12th 5:30 - 7:30pm
Tippecanoe - Feb 14th 3:30 - 4:30pm
Forest Home Feb 16th 1 - 3pm
Capitol - Feb 18th 3:30 - 5:30pm
MLK - Feb 20th 5 - 7pm
Mill Road - Feb 21st 6 - 7:30pm
Zablocki - Feb 25th 6 - 8pm
Washington Park Mar 3rd 5 - 7pm

We have Rock Band! Refreshments provided!

This is My Story: Violence in My World
Thursday, April 10
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Washington Park Library (2121 N. Sherman Blvd.)

This is the first program in a Teen Violence Prevention Series sponsored by MPL and the MPL Teen Advisory Board. Hosted by Dasha Kelly of Still Waters Collective, members of the community will share stories, poems, and other forms of spoken-word art reflecting on how violence has affected our lives. Those who have lost their lives to violence will be remembered. Journals for self-reflection will be distributed.

Are you between the ages of 14 and 21 and looking for a great job opportunity?
If so, check out Earn & Learn. This City of Milwaukee Department of City Development program provides great opportunities for you to develop your job skills. You can gain valuable work experience and earn money by working in government, community- and faith-based organizations and private sector businesses.

You can participate in the program in three different ways:

Community Work Experience Program
Summer Youth Internship Program
Private Sector Job Connection

Application deadlines are coming up, so be sure to fill out your online application soon!

The Martin Luther King Library is hosting a number of programs on finding jobs for teens this spring. With topics that range from just thinking about getting a job to what strategies work best for finding and landing a job these are great programs for those teens looking for summer employment.

The programs are:
Tuesdays, April 8, 15, 22 & 29, May 6 & 13. 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
From Fast Food to the Fast Lane—Your Real First Job
A FREE six-week TEEN employment program that provides step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for and find employment presented by C. J. Brown III, author of 28 Days to Employment.

Friday, April 18, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Do You Need a Job? A Job Strategies Workshop
This workshop focuses on finding job openings and resume tips. Bring your resume.

Monday, April 28, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Do You Need A Job? Where are the Jobs?
This session focuses on where to find jobs and how to get the job you want.

These two sessions are presented by Milwaukee Job Development staff members. Classes are free with no registration required.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention month.

Here are some facts on teen pregnancy from the United Way of Greater Milwaukee.

-Milwaukee is one of the Top Ten cities within the U.S. with the highest percentage of total births to teen mothers.
-The long-term cost of a Milwaukee teen having one baby is estimated at $79,320.
-Girls born to teen mothers are 83% more likely to become teen mothers.
-Children of teen mothers are much more likely to drop out of high school prior to graduation.
-In Wisconsin, 71% of babies born to teen girls are fathered by males over 20 years old - in 20% of the cases the fathers are at least six years older.

For more information on preventing teen pregnancy, check out the links below. These sites are for both parents and teenagers.

http://www.donttellmyparents.org/parents/

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/ntppm.htm

http://www.teenpregnancy.org/

http://www.plaintalk.org/index.htm

http://www.milwaukee.gov/PlainTalk23791.htm

For the past two years Wisconsin residents have turned to AskAway-a free online information service staffed by professional librarians 24 hours a day, seven days a week-for reliable answers to all sorts of questions. Now AskAway is encouraging young adult residents to share their positive experiences by creating and posting short videos as a part of the “I Love AskAway” YouTube video contest for teens. Click and scroll here for detailed entry instructions.

Entries should consist of an original video that depicts the AskAway chat service available to all state residents at the Milwaukee Public Library. Videos should be between 30 to 60 seconds long (longer videos may be edited), and must either be uploaded to YouTube or submitted on DVD or CD-ROM by July 31, 2008.

First prize is a $150 Best Buy gift certificate and second prize is a
$75 Best Buy gift certificate. Contest winners will be announced Sept.
2, 2008.