Kick-Off the Summer Reading Program with Water Ballons!
The Blue Springs North Branch is bringing back last year's popular Wet and Wild Water party. This year, we are celebrating the kick-off of the Teen Summer Reading Program. On Saturday, June 18th at 2 p.m., we will gather at the branch and head to the grassy knoll next door. There, we will have games including Horse, Spoon Balloon (my interpretation of the egg races), Hot Potato, and many more. In addition, if you have any water toys or guns, please bring them along.
The winner is announced!!! The first place favorite from the LS Teen Art Show is Veronica G.'s piece entitled, Pugsly. You can see this wonderful piece and many others on display at the branch through the end of July. Please take some time to come in and see how talented the Lee's Summit teenagers are.
So you say that you've been following Harry, Ron, Hermione, and all the others since the beginning. You've cheered and cried, celebrated and grieved. You've practically memorized all the books, watched the movies dozens of times, listened to the music from the soundtracks until you could hum the entire score, and saved all your pennies for months to go to the theme park in Florida (the day it opened). You've dressed up as characters, rattled off trivia, and decorated at least part of your room with memorabilia.
Fantasy, adventure, mystery. Come and be a part of our Anime Movie Night for teens. In September, we began the original Naruto anime series. Join us in July as we complete the adventures of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
Hey teens! Looking for something fun to do this summer? On July 25th at 7 p.m., the Lone Jack Branch is hosting a Harry Potter Celebration! Come to the Hufflepuff House and help us celebrate the final installment of the Harry Potter films. We’re having a Harry Potter character costume contest and classes in herbology, defense against the dark arts, wand making, potions and charms.
In my everyday librarian experience, I meet with a lot of positivity. I also meet a few "Negative Nellies." Sometimes they don't like my displays, sometimes they hate the limitations that come with using a public space, sometimes they dislike the books we carry, sometimes they hate my programming choices...but never have I had a person completely bash an entire genre of books.
While many of you may be moaning and groaning, back-to-school is a great time at the library! All the kids who were too busy to visit over the summer suddenly start popping up again. I have parents come in asking for the books you were required to read over the summer, and lots of questions about what to read. You are in luck! There are fans of teen lit at every branch just dying to answer your reader's advisory questions.
Some of my top recommendations this August? (I admit, they are heavily influenced by "Required Reading" lists.)
Antioch Branch, July 11 at 6:30. 
