Teens & Reading

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Teens & Reading

Teens & Reading

Some teenagers like to read. Others don’t. It’s that simple. Or is it?

As adults, we know that reading is important and we obviously want to make sure that the teenagers in our lives grow into adulthood with all the skills they need to succeed. But how can we encourage them…safely?

Before we list ways to encourage teen reading that may work, here are a few tactics that likely will not.

Try to avoid…

• Pressuring, nagging, or bribing. Encourage, don't hound.
• Criticizing what they choose to read. Forbid as little as possible- accept differences of opinion.
• Lavishing too much praise. Show interest, but don't make a big deal out of it. They'll see right through you.

Ways to encourage teens to read...

• Set an example. Let teens see you reading for pleasure.
• Make reading materials available. Leave books, magazines, and newspapers around.
• Acknowledge their mature interests. Suggest some adult reading you think they can handle or that may interest them.

What can teens get out of reading? They have to get something out of it, right? Through reading they can:

• Become an expert. An expert on any subject they like—from sports statistics to spelunking, coins to carburetors, ballerinas to barbecues, or anything in between.
• Live dangerously. Through reading teens can share the challenges, fears, thrills, and achievements of those they are reading about - without the risk.
• Have a few laughs. Many teens will enjoy sitting down with a book by their favorite comedian or a collection of jokes or cartoons.
• See the world. Without leaving town, teens can visit places that fascinate them.
• Travel through time. Historical fiction and science fiction can move a reader back and forth in time.
• Use their brains. Teens may enjoy solving a mystery, outwitting a crafty villain, or thinking through a perilous situation.
• Get some free advice. Lots of novels feature teenage characters that have problems and pressures common to many teens, believe it or not.
• Discover new interests. Through reading, teens may develop an interest in something they knew nothing about before.
• Find a cause. Teens can get smart on an issue that matters to them.
• Escape. Teens can escape noise, tension, or boredom by escaping into a book.

Teen Read Week is October 18-24, 2015. The purpose of Teen Read Week, created in 1998, is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.

In recognition of Teen Read Week, the Independence Public Library is hosting an after-hours Teen Read-In for those students in 6^th grade and up. Activities will include mish-mash book skits, telling ghost stories, book character charades, scavenger hunts, building forts, reading, snacks, and more! Join us after hours from 7:00-10:00 pm. The event is free. Please call the library to sign up @ 319-334-2470.

Teens at the Library

Attention Teens!
Summer Reading Program registration has begun! Sign up before June 19th to participate. What this means is that you can read this summer - and get rewarded for it. How cool is that?

The children's Summer Reading Program has always been popular. We also offer a Teen program for those going into 6th grade-12th grade, an Adult program, and even a program for Babies! All programs have the same basic requirements for reading and their own reading logs for recording progress. Each group also has separate programs/events to attend throughout the summer.

Some Teen activities we are offering this summer are Geocaching (6/5) and art classes for those in grade 9 and up. Space and/or supplies are limited for the art classes, so be sure to stop in, call or email to sign up! We have Pysanky Egg Decorating (6/8), Basic Drawing: How to Draw a Dog Portrait (6/17), a Daisy Canvas Painting Party (6/19), and a Pinterest Craft Party (6/29). We will also offer a Minecraft After-Hours (6/19) night for those who have a Minecraft account and username.

July programs for Teens include Tween/Teen Create Night (7/1), Cupcake Wars (7/13), and a Spy Night (7/24). No registration is needed for these programs.

Learn about the history of American Comic Book Superheroes June 15th with Jerry Harrington, comic book historian and collector, and how to defend and protect yourself on either July 23 or July 30. These self-defense classes will be taught by Tim Main.

Join the fun at IPL this summer! No excuses. We look forward to seeing you at the library!

Is the inclement weather causing you conundrums in returning your library materials on time?
Good news! You don’t have to leave home to renew your items!

One option is to log in to your IPL account online to renew your materials. Go to the homepage and click on “APOLLO”, our library catalog. In the upper right hand corner, click “Log in to library account.” Next, enter your library card number and password (phone number) as prompted. Now you can renew your materials! It’s as easy as that!

A second option is to simply call the library @ 319-224-2470 and we can generally renew your items over the phone. It would be very helpful to have your library card number handy when you dial.

This month only, there is a third option if you do happen to develop a fine - or have existing fines.  You can pay another way! February is AmnestyMonth at IPL. This means that we are accepting “Food for Fines” and you can clear your unpaid library fines and get a fresh start by donating food to those in need.  Each donated non-perishable food item will erase $1.00 of fines from your card.  If you prefer to pay your fine with cash, that money will also go to the food pantry as well.  Both food and fine money received throughout the month of February will be given to the Independence Area Food Pantry. We will also be pleased to accept donations to the food pantry by those who don't have fines.  Just bring your donations to the library as a convenient drop-off location.