Caribou library celebrates national Teen Read Week

To the editor:
    As a teenager, one of the places I feel comfortable and safe going to is the Caribou Public Library. I feel the library is a positive influence on my life because of all of the different programs it has to offer and because of the selection of books that are available for me to read. I love to participate in the different programs the library has to offer and, over the years, I have participated every summer in the summer programs, including the reading log program which encourages book reading.     I have had many different favorite books, depending on what stage in life I am in. I remember one of my first favorite books was called Sophie and Rose. That book remained a favorite of mine long after I had outgrown it. I think it is still one of my favorite children’s books to this day. My current favorite book from the library is Airhead by Meg Cabot. Even if you don’t think you are a reader, I am sure you could find something of interest in the wide variety of books the library has to offer. If you need help to find a book that might interest you, the librarians at our library are great. They would be happy to recommend books to you and, don’t be surprised, but they have probably read the books themselves.
    October 12th – 18th is Teen Read Week. I would like to encourage other teens who may not currently be using the library to check out our local library to see what is new and to join in on some of the many fun activities that will be going on during Teen Read Week. The theme is “Books with Bite @ Your Library”. There are a lot of things to do at the library and there are some great librarians who can help you with questions or to find things you may be looking for. The library is a great place to go to have some quiet reading time, check out a variety of free books, or to go to use the computers to help you with your homework.
    There has been a new Teen Advisory Group formed which is lead by Mona Martin at our library. This is a group of teenagers who have a chance to develop fun activities and things to promote the library. It gives teens a chance to know what is going on and to voice their thoughts about what they would like to see happen at the library. I think this is a good chance for teens to get involved in the library.
    During Teen Read Week it would be great if you would check out what is new at our local library and check out a book to read. You can even find book reviews that might help you find what kind of books you like to read.

To the editor:
    I am 14, and an eighth-grader at Caribou Middle School. I consider myself to be a “typical” teen. I enjoy reading, playing computer games, watching television and texting my friends. I am writing this letter to tell other teens about all the things you can do at the Caribou Public Library.
    The library has a wonderful range of materials – not only books, but books on CD, magazines, newspapers, movies on DVD, as well as several computers to check e-mail, or even research a product you are thinking of buying. The very best part is that it’s free!
    October 12-18 is Teen Road Week™ and the teen librarian, Mona Martin, told us at our monthly meeting of the “Teen Advisory Group” that the theme is, “read for the fun of it.” Reading is fun, and the Caribou Public Library is a great place to catch a great read. In fact, I recently found a book I was thinking of buying at the library so I got to read it right away for free!
    We keep hearing on the news about these being hard economic times. So why don’t you do something fun that’s also money smart and visit the library! I hope to see you there.

To the editor:
    As the parent of two teenage children, I have many concerns not only about their safety, but also about positive influences in their lives. I worry about my children being exposed to negative behavior and dangers that are so prevalent in today’s society which are all around them.
    I am thankful there is at least one place in our community teens can go where they are encouraged to engage in positive activities and that is the library. I am thankful to have the public library that we have in our community. It not only provides a safe haven for children to go to, but also is a place full of resources. Both of my teenagers use the Caribou Public Library for more than just doing their homework and other school projects. The library has always provided interesting and age-appropriate programs like the summer reading programs, special events and field trips, which all children of the community can attend and participate in throughout the year. My teenage children have, since they were very young children, attended a wide variety of interesting and challenging programs at the library as they were growing up.
    Along with the wonderful programs offered at the library, I am also impressed with the wide choice of reading materials available to my teenagers from magazines, newspapers, classic stories, graphic novels, how-to-books, and more. I know the librarians have chosen the books carefully and that they can help me find books that aren’t just interesting for my teens, but appropriate as well. The staff at our library goes above and beyond in my eyes. Throughout the years, I have always found the librarians to be very helpful, informative, and willing to go the extra mile for anything we have asked for and needed.
    October 12 to 18 was Teen Read Week, a national literacy event sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association. I would like to encourage other parents to make a trip to the library with their teenager to check it out. There are more great resources and events than they may think, and there are trained professionals who can help you get your questions answered. It is also a place where teens can engage in positive activities. The addition to our library of the new Teen Advisory Group is fantastic. It is a time once a month where teenagers gather and meet so they can discuss books and ways teenagers fit into the library.
    My librarian, Mona Martin, informed me that the theme to Teen Read Week is “Books with Bite@ Your Library”. I am concerned that teens today have more demands than ever on their free time. I read that the National Assessment for Educational Progress found that students who reported reading for the fun of it score better on standardized tests. Why as parents wouldn’t we want to encourage that?
    I hope to see you at the library especially during Teen Read Week, but also other times throughout the year. When you encourage and bring your teen to the library, you are providing them with a chance to relax, be with friends, and to learn.