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Are you a teen that loves to write poetry? Or do you simply love the rhythm and flow of a particular poem and wish to share it with the world? Aspiring teen poets are encouraged to attend the 2010 Teen Poetry Slam, sponsored by the Helen Bader Foundation, at the Washington Park Library on Wednesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m.

You can give a dramatic preformance of your original work or the work of someone that inspires you. The first 40 performers will receive a prize, and the winners of the Young Adult Poetry Contest will be announced at this event.

If you have any questions, or need more information, you can call 286-3011.

Washington Park Library
2121 N. Sherman Blvd.
June 21-25, 2010
1:00pm-5:00pm

Members of Upsilon Mu Omega are joining with the Milwaukee Public Library to sponsor the AKA Money Camp for Kids. Middle school students can participate in such diverse activities as financial workshops and field trips that allow them to see the inner workings of local Milwaukee businesses. The week will culminate with the campers developing presentation skills and presenting projects. After graduating from the AKA Money Camp, students will be encouraged to open or add to their own savings account.

You can find a camp application at your neighborhood library or by clicking here. More information about the program can be found here or by calling Erica Teague at (414) 803-2618. Registration ends May 30.

Do you love Anime and Manga? Or are you facinated with Japanese culture? Join us for J.A.M. (Japanese Anime and Manga) once a month at the Center Street library! The next J.A.M. session will be on May 26 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. You can talk about your favorite Anime movies and episodes, discuss your favorite manga series, or hang out and draw in the style of Japanese animation. So come on in if you would like to meet other fans, win prizes, and celebrate Japanese animation, comics and culture.

The Milwaukee Public Library has a great opportunity for young adults entering grades 8-12 to join its Teen Advisory Board (TAB).

Being a Teen Advisory Board member is a great way to:
- Get involved in the community
- Gain volunteer hours
- Meet new friends
- Learn about and work on leadership skills
- Be a part of a team and have fun!

Register online by clicking on 'Teen Scene' and then 'Teen Advisory Board' at www.mpl.org.

To qualify for TAB membership you should be entering grades 8-12 for the 2010-2011 school year; have a grade point average of at least 2.5; have a good school attendance record; be able to attend a three hour meeting once a month; commit to volunteering and be interested in reading, teen programs, and libraries.

Starting today, May 17, teens 13-18 can sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Sign up online and receive a coupon for a FREE Cousins sub.
Starting June 7, weekly drawings will be held for prizes. Log the books you read each week in order to enter the drawing. The more books you log, the more opportunities you have to win!

If you read four or more books, you earn a prize pack which includes an MPL drawstring backpack.

If you read eight or more books before August 9, you will qualify for the grand prize drawing of a $50 visa gift card! Each Milwaukee Public Library location will select a winner.

In addition, four readers that log eight or more books before August 9 will be selected at random to receive a "starter" scholarship sponsored by EdVest, Wisconsin's official college savings program as well as a profile on www.knowHow2GOWisconsin.org

The only way to win all of these (and more!) prizes is to sign up, so log on and get started today!

Now that summer is in full swing, are you scrambling for fun, educational activities for your children to participate in? Fortunately, Milwaukee Public Library has a summer activity calender to help you figure it all out! For young children, all branch libraries as well as Central host the Preschool Story Time. Children of all ages have a choice of several programs and activities, including performances, games, and other fun activities! All the libraries also have awesome activities for teens such as Wii gaming, Book Bingo, Teen Jeopardy, ice cream socials and more! So check out the calendar and take your kids to your favorite branch for summer fun!
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Show off your Wii gaming skills and join us for some snacks during these waning days of summer.

Zablocki Thursday, August 12, 2-3 p.m.

Washington Park Monday, August 23, 6-7 p.m.

Come to Villard Library and explore various styles of art with artist Jeanette Wright-Claus. This six-week, hands-on course will cover abstraction to realism. Learn about famous artists and discover the artist in you.

Fridays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
and November 5, 3-4:30 p.m.

Attendee must be between the ages of 6 Years and 14 Years old.

Registration required; call 286-3011 to register.

Are you looking for enriching after school activities for your child or teen? The After-School Club can help! All branch libraries in the city of Milwaukee host after school activities such as crafts, games, arts, dramatic play, and more! The After-School Club offers separate session times for children and teens. Kids and teens can hang out with friends while engaging in fun activities. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the library at (414) 286-3011.

Now that students are getting settled into the new school year I thought it would be a good time to highlight the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. These awards are given every year by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, which is a nonprofit organization with the mission of "identifying teenagers with artistic and literary talent." Teens in grades 7-12 are eligible and awards range from scholarships to recognition to exhibition and publication.

There are 30 different categories including comic art, drawing, fashion, film & animation, photography, jewelry, short story and video games. From what I can tell most of the deadlines are set for early next year, so there is time, but you need to go to their Website and put in your school's zip code to confirm your deadlines.

I would also like to mention how inspiring it is to look through the National Catalogs of the 2009 and 2010 award winners. After viewing the amazing work of so many of America's teens it's clear we are surrounded by very talented young people.

Are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Do you love to draw manga? Then show off your talent by entering the Young Adult Manga Drawing Contest! October 24, 2010 marks the deadline to enter your original manga drawing. All submissions will be displayed and the winners of the contest will be announced during Anime & Manga Night at the Capitol Library on November 16. Winners will receive gift cards!

Entries must be original. All entries must be submitted with a permission form signed by a parent or guardian. You must be a Milwaukee County resident in order to participate. If you have any questions, call (414)286-3011 for more information.

In addition to the usual trick-or-treat celebration throughout the City of Milwaukee, join in for all-ages Halloween fun at several of the branch libraries. For teens, Bay View library is hosting Scary Movie Night & Costume Party. For kids, there is the Halloween Spooktackular at Washington Park and Martin Luther King Library on Wednesday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m., and Atkinson and Mill Road Library on Saturday, October 30 at 2:00 p.m. The Halloween Spooktackular will feature spooky stories, scary games, crafts and treats. Costumes are encouraged!

Also for kids is the Mad Science Halloween Celebration at Bay View Library on Wednesday October 27 at 6:30 p.m., and Zablocki on Saturday, October 30 at 11:00 a.m. Crazy mad scientists will cooking up some spooky experiements to share with you! Costumes are also encourages for this event! Stretch out the Halloween celebration a couple of days and join us for these fun-filled events!

Would you like your child to have more assistance with their schoolwork? Milwaukee Public Library currently runs a program called Teacher in the Library. Certified teachers are available after school at selected libraries to help both children and their parents with academic support and encouragement. Children under eight years old must be accompanied by an adult. Check out the library's calendar of events to see when and where the Teacher in the Library program will be available for you!

Are you thinking about college, but feel intimidated by the admissions process? Then come to the College Application Fair at the Center Street Library on Saturday, November 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. COMPASS guide advisors will be available to explain the application and admissions process, as well as give individualized help to students with the application process. Computers will be set aside for students to complete applications. Advisors will be on hand to assist undecided students with choosing a college or university.

If you have any questions about this program, or for more information, call (414)28-3011.

What else can you do with moist, delectable, cream-filled sponge cake also known as a Twinkie? Find out for yourself at Twinkie Masterpieces, held for both kids and teens on January 10 and 12, 2011. This special kids club event will be held at Tippecanoe and Bayview, and the event for teens will also be held at both libraries. Kick- off the new year by making masterpieces out of twinkies and other edible materials. Participants will vote, and awards will be given for the craziest and most delicious looking!
For more information, or if you have any questions, call (414)286-3011.

This January join Artists Working in Education (A.W.E.) at the Martin Luther King Library for free art activities for children in grades K5-5. Kids and families will create unique art projects to take home. A.W.E. programs at the King Library are scheduled from 4:00-5:30pm for the following Wednesdays in January: 5, 12, 19, 26.

Kids and families are welcome to attend one or all of the programs. Due to space limitations, kids must pre-register. Register at the library or online at www.mpl.org or call (414) 286-3011. For more information about the activities, please call A.W.E. at (414) 933-3877.

Now is the time to join the 2011 Milwaukee Bucks Library Reading Challenge! Students earn points towards great Bucks prizes by reading books, magazines, and newspapers!

The reading challenge gives students points for each page of a book, magazine, or newspaper they read. Newspapers and magazines have a 100-point limit, but there is no limit to the points you can score with books! Once a goal has been reached for a specific number of pages, students will receive a voucher for one free Bucks game ticket and the opportunity to purchase additional tickets at a discount.

All-Star Readers, those who score 500 points-for-pages, earn a free ticket to a Bucks home game and are invited to shoot a free throw on the Bucks Court after the game. Readers with 750 points-for-pages will have their names entered into a drawing for an official Milwaukee Bucks Autographed Basketball for each game!

For more information on the Milwaukee Bucks Library Reading Challenge call (414) 286-3520 or contact the Milwaukee Public Library at (414) 286-3011.

In January the American Library Association announced the 2011 Youth Media Award winners. The awards recognize original and creative works in children's and young adult literature and media. Check out these outstanding titles at the Milwaukee Public Library today!

• John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature, Moon over Manifest written by Clare Vanderpool.

• Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children, A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead.

• Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults, Ship Breaker written by Paolo Bacigalupi.

• Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults, One Crazy Summer written by Rita Williams-Garcia.

• Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults, Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave illustrated by Bryan Collier.

• Pura Belpré Award honoring a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience, The Dreamer written by Pam Muñoz Ryan.

Join us for a special teen club event at Tippecanoe library on Monday February 14 for an anti-Valentine's day party! If you're tired of sappy love songs and the endless parade of Valentine's themed commericals, come to the library and create a mix of non-romantic songs, decorate broken-hearted cookies and make anti-Valentines.

This event runs from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (414)286-3011.

Not sure how to get your college journey started? Want to stand out in your college or scholarship application? Don't know the difference between the ACT, SAT, IB and Ap? How can you prepare for college before you even get to high school? COMPASS Guide's trained advisers will answer these questions and more. This program is available at multiple locations, and no registration is required. Have a look at our calendar to see which session works best for you.

Are you a teen looking for a fun volunteer opportunity? Volunteer for the Milwaukee Public Library at KIDSfest! Help the library promote the summer reading and other library programs while making crafts in a fun, energetic environment. Not only will you be volunteering for Milwaukee Public Library, but you will also be particpating in Global Youth Service Day!

KIDSfest is held at the State Fair Park in West Allis on April 16 and 17 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you are interested, contact David Sikora at (414) 286-3076 and ask how you can volunteer at KIDSfest.

On Saturday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m., the Teen Advisory Board is hosting a Super Smash Brothers Video Game Tournament and Video Game dance-off at the Central Library. Show off your gaming skills and your moves! Prizes will be awarded to the top three players in each tournament. In order to be eligible for prizes, contestants must register. Registration and open play will occur for the first 30 minutes of the event. This event is sponsored by the Helen Bader Foundation and Best Buy.

For more information, call (414)286-3011.

April is poetry month! If you are between the ages of 10-18, and love to write poetry, enter your poem in Milwaukee Public Library's poetry contest! You can submit your poem with an entry form at any Milwaukee Public Library or online. Entries will be accepted from March 28 until April 21 at 5:00 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded to top poems in three age categories: 10-12, 13-15, 16-18. The 1st place prize for all age groups is a $50.00 gift card. The 2nd place prize for all age groups is a $25.00 gift card, and the 3rd place prize for all age groups is a $15.00 gift card.
The winners will be announced during the Teen Poetry Slam at Atkinson Library on May 11. For more information, or for questions about the rules, call (414)286-3011.
This program is hosted by the Teen Advisory Board and sponsored by
the Helen Bader Foundation and Best Buy.

With the end of the school year, why not make your friends something special as a keepsake? Come to Bayview Library on June 11 at 10:00 a.m. to join a knitting workshop and learn a pattern for making stylish yet fairly easy bracelets. This workshop will also teach skills on chart reading, simple twists and yarnovers to expand your crafting capabilities. Come with your friends or come to make new friends.

Registration is required. You can register by either stopping by the Bayview Library or calling (414)286-3000.

Don't let your 6th - 8th graders miss Money Camp for Kids! The camp is free, and will take place June 20-24, at the Washington Park Library. Kids will be introduced to the concept of responsible money management over the course of five days of fun presentations and field trips.

Due to the library's closing for the Memorial Day weekend, the last day to sign up will be Thursday, May 26.

This program is being brought to you by Upsilon Mu Omega.

If you haven't signed up for Milwaukee Public Library's Super Reader program, there is still plenty of time to join. Just come in to any Milwaukee Public Library and pick up a folder to track the number of minutes you read or someone reads to you. As soon as you sign up, you receive a coupon for a FREE 5" mini sub at Cousin's Subs. The more minutes you read, the more prizes you earn. In addition to the Super Reader program, all Milwaukee Public Libraries are hosting free, fun activities.

If you're a teen between the ages of 13-18, there's even a summer reading program for you! You could win a $25 gift card. Sign up today!

For more information, call (414)286-3011.

Are you a teen who would love to knit, but don't know how? Come to the Bay View Library's free three-part class for beginning knitters. Learn how to cast-on, knit, purl and cast-off. Participants will learn how to knit a summer scarf. This program is for grades 6-12. Registration is required. Please call (414) 286-3011 to register.

Dates: June 22nd, June 29th, and July 6th
Time: 4pm to 5pm
Location: Bay View Library

Have you always been bored with chocolate and vanilla? Do you wish you could create your own custom flavor? Well, head to the library for one of the Ice Cream Challenges. If you love ice cream, this is the event for you. Compete against other teams by designing your own ice cream flavor. Bring your friends and we'll supply the goodies.

Forest Home Library: Tuesday, August 2nd, 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Villard Library: Tuesday, August 9th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Atkinson Library: Wednesday, August 10th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tippecanoe Library: Monday, August 15th, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mill Road Library: Monday, August 15th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy Manga? Ever dream of becoming a mangaka (manga artist)? Now is your chance! Show off your talent by entering your favorite original manga drawing in Milwaukee Public Library's Manga Drawing Contest! The contest is for teens age 13-18 who live in Milwaukee County. Each individual can submit 2 entries at any Milwaukee Public Library between September 24 - October 24 to be eligible for prizes.

Prizes
Judges Category:
1st Place-$50 Gift card
2nd Place-$30 Gift Card
3rd Place-$20 Gift Card

People's Choice:
1st Place-$25 Gift card
2nd Place-$20 Gift Card
3rd Place-$15 Gift Card

The People's Choice prizes will be awarded at the Manga and Anime Night at MPL's Central Library on Tuesday, November 15th, from 5-7 p.m.

Complete the contest entry form, available here, to enter the contest or speak to a librarian to get a copy of the form.

Sponsored by the MPL Teen Advisory Board (TAB), funded by Best Buy.

Contest rules:
Must be between 13-18 years of age to participate. Limit of 2 entries per person. Entries must be original and submitted on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Submissions cannot be traced or copied from another artist's work. There is no guarantee that submissions will be returned. Participants must be Milwaukee County residents to be eligible. Individuals can win only one prize in this contest.

Are you looking for a safe place to celebrate Halloween in your neighborhood? Look no further than your local library. The Milwaukee Public Library will host programs to celebrate the week of Halloween. Some programs will be for children and others for teens, so make sure you check one out.

You're unique and your jewelry should be too! Come to the Bay View library for our teen Hardware Jewelry program and learn how to create cute, edgy and fashionable jewelry out of hardware store finds. You'll learn how to make a necklace out of washers or design your own accessory out of every day objects.

The picture above is from Alternacrafts, a craft book dedicated to the quirky and unusual. Check it out today, along with the library's many other handicraft titles!

Join us for a four-week study of crafting a short story. We will focus on the basic elements of writing, including character, setting and plot, and explore creative ways to spark story-starting ideas. Our finished works will be shared at the Teen Story Slam in December. Registration required to receive a writing journal. Register online or by calling (414)286-3011. Please note that attendees must be between the ages of 10 years and 18 years old to participate.

Library: Villard Square Branch
Dates: 11/8/2011, 11/15/2011, 11/22/2011, 11/29/2011
Start Time: 4:00 PM
End Time: 5:00 PM

Teens, what are you going to get the special people in your life for Christmas? Join the DIY crafting movement and give a handmade gift created by you at Atkinson Library on December 19 at 6:00 p.m. Weave it, braid it, knot it! Use yarn, string, beads and other materials to make fun crafts like bracelets, belts and bags. Give a gift that is as unique as your loved one.

For more information, call 286-3011.

Take the Bucks Reading Challenge! This statewide reading program starts Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012. Students in grades 3-10 can sign up at any Milwaukee Public Library. When you read 500 or more pages by Feb. 28th, you earn a voucher to mail in for a free ticket to a Milwaukee Bucks game! (Parent or guardian must purchase a discounted ticket at the same time). When you read 750 pages or more by Feb. 28, you get the ticket and a chance to win an autographed Bucks basketball or be recognized on the court at halftime!

Anyone interested in finding out more information on the program can call the Central Library Children's Room at 286-3091 for more details, or stop in at any Milwaukee Public Library location for information and to sign up.

Google is looking for curious, inspired and innovative students between the ages of 13-18 for the Google Science Fair 2012 online science competition. The competition challenges students to explore real-world questions through scientific investigation. Participating in the fair is your chance to engage with the scientific community, compete with peers from around the world and be eligible for life-changing prizes.

Submissions are due April 1, 2012. Check out Google's Science Fair 2012 website for information on submissions, judging, and prizes. There are also resources for educators interested in getting their students involved in the fair.

Everyone has a question. What's yours?

Join other fans of The Hunger Games trilogy in celebrating the release of The Hunger Games movie by taking part in a trivia challenge based on the books. Correct answers will bring you rewards, but incorrect ones may bring an uncertain future. There can be only one winner!

Hunger Games Trivia Challenge
Bay View Library, For Ages: 13-18,
2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave
Thursday, March 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration Required
Call: (414) 286-3011

Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

Developed by teens, for teens through TAB - MPL's Teen Advisory Board. Sponsored by Best Buy.

Do you have a way with words? Milwaukee youth ages 10-18 are encouraged to submit a poem with an entry form to compete in this year's Poetry Contest! Submit up to two poems between March 26 and April 26. Poems must be submitted online.

Prizes will be awarded to top poems in three age categories: 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18. Winners will be announced at the Teen Performance Poetry and Spoken Word Showcase at Villard Square Branch on Tuesday, May 15, 6-7:30 p.m. and may be published on the MPL webpage and Facebook pages!

For prizes and contest rules visit the Teen Poetry Contest page on our website.

All programs hosted by the Teen Advisory Board and sponsored by Best Buy.

The deadline for entry in the teen poetry contest is one week away, enter now!

Do you have a way with words? Milwaukee youth ages 10-18 are encouraged to submit a poem with an entry form to compete in this year's Poetry Contest! Submit up to two poems between March 26 and April 26. Poems must be submitted online.

Prizes will be awarded to top poems in three age categories: 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18. Winners will be announced at the Teen Performance Poetry and Spoken Word Showcase at Villard Square Branch on Tuesday, May 15, 6-7:30 p.m. and may be published on the MPL webpage and Facebook pages!

For prizes and contest rules visit the Teen Poetry Contest page on our website.

All programs hosted by the Teen Advisory Board and sponsored by Best Buy.

Needed: Aspiring poets and performers! Give an original or not-so-original poem a dramatic flair! Join the MPL Teen Performance Poetry and Spoken Word Showcase and show off your talent for bringing words, stories and poems to life during this open-mic showcase. Help us celebrate the end of poetry month and "rap" up our Poetry Contest as we announce the winners and share their poems at this event!

Be your own fashion designer! It's time to show your creative side at Atkinson Library this Thursday at Sew Cool. All you need to bring is an item of clothing and your fun fashion sense. The library will have decorations and will help with basic instructions. Hope to see you there!

Teens who haven't finished finding gifts for their friends and loved ones can come to Center Street Library for two events this week.

First, tonight teens can make beautiful origami ornaments to take along and use as holiday gifts. Materials will be supplied, and the program is free to attend, so all someone needs to attend is creativity and the willingness to learn a new skill. This program is tonight, Tuesday December 18th, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 7 PM.

Teens in grades six through eight will have a chance to sip hot cocoa and wrap holiday gifts on Wednesday December 19th. The library will have supplies on hand to create some original last minute gifts too. This last minute gift program will be from 6:30 PM to 7:15 PM.

For all the kids looking for an opportunity to create some last minute gifts, check out the other times for the last minute gift programs here! Tippecanoe will offer this program too.

Do you have a way with words? Milwaukee youth ages 10-18 are encouraged to submit a poem with an entry form to compete in this year's Poetry Contest! Submit up to two poems online between April 1 and April 30.

Prizes will be awarded to top poems in three age categories: 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18. Winners will be announced at the Teen Poetry Slam at Villard Square on Tuesday, May 14, 6-7:30 p.m. and may be published on the MPL web page and Facebook pages!

Click here to submit your poem! Poems must be submitted between April 1 and April 30.

Contest Rules:
Must be between 10-18 years of age to participate. Participants must be Milwaukee County residents to be eligible. Individuals can only win one prize in this contest. Entries must be typed and submitted online only. All submissions must be original works written by the young adult submitting the entry. Each individual may submit up to two entries. Entries may be edited for publication purposes.