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.

iTAB and Teen Programs

iTAB is the Independence (Public Library) Teen Advisory Board and is open to 6^th-12^th graders.  iTAB is designed to energize teen programming and services as well as allow teens a greater voice at the library. iTAB shows teens they’re important and that they can contribute in a meaningful way. In addition, iTAB helps give library staff the teen perspective. iTAB meets on  a monthly basis throughout the school year. The iTAB Members contribute valuable ideas for teen programming and collection development and have opportunities for volunteering.

Spy Night @ The IPL

Teens and Tweens in grades 5-12 can sign up now for the Independence Public Library's Spy Night. Participants will learn spy skills and make gadgets for their spy adventures. Spy Night is on June 24th, 2015 and begins at 5:00 PM. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. If you have any questions or would like to register, stop in at the library or give us a call at 334-2470.

Cupcake Wars At The IPL!

Teens and Tweens head over to the Independence Public Library on July 13th for Cupcake Wars! This super decorating experience is open to teens and tween in sixth grade and up, and there is no need to register. The fun starts at 6:30 PM. See you there!

Tween/Teen Create Day At The IPL!

The Tween/Teen Create Day is coming! Young crafters can come to the Independence Public Library from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on July 1st, 2015 to work or projects they bring with them or create something using the materials provided. This program is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Simply come and create.

Canvas Painting Party At The IPL!

Teens and Adults can register now for the Canvas Painting Party on June 20th, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Jessica Ott will be at the Independence Public Library to give step-by-step instructions. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required, as space is limited. If you would like to register or have any questions, feel free to stop in at the IPL or call us at 334-2470.

Minecraft After Hours Is Back!

The IPL is holding another session of Minecraft After Hours on Friday, June 19th at 5:00 PM. Patrons going into 5th Grade and up can register now. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required and you must have a valid Minecraft user name to register. If you have any questions or would like to register, stop in at the library, or call us at 334-2470.

Basic Drawing Class At The IPL!

Join the Independence Public Library on June 17th, 2015 for a Basic Drawing Class. Students will practice pencil drawing for dogs. You can bring a picture of your own dog or try one of the images provided. The fun starts at 6:30 PM, but space is limited, so be sure to register.

Comic Book Superheroes @ the IPL!

Come to the Independence Public Library and join us for American Comic Book History: The Golden and Silver Ages with Jerry Harrington. We'll hear about comic books and superheroes from the 1930's and 1940's  to modern comics and their fantastic characters. This program is free and open to the public, and begins at 6:30 PM on June 15th, 2015.

Pysanky Egg Decorating is Back!

Ukrainian Egg Decorating is back at the IPL! Register now for another round of Pysanky Eggs. This program is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Class will begin at 6:30 PM on June 8th, 2015. All supplies will be provided, simply register, and come ready to create.

Geocaching Is Back!

Children in 6th through 12th grade can join the Independence Public Library for Geocaching on June 5th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. There is no registration required, but a liability waiver does need to be signed by a parent for participation. To pick up a copy of the waiver or for any questions stop in at the IPL, or call us at 334-2470.

Train To Be A Superhero At The IPL!

Stop in at the Independence Public Library's Community Room for the Superhero Training Academy from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on May 19th, 2015. We'll bring out the hero in you, just in time for the Summer Reading Program  "Every Hero Has A Story!"

The Superhero Training Academy is free and open to the public, and there is no registration required.

No School Monday And iTAB

Join the IPL on No School Monday for LEGOs @ the Library! From 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM on March 23rd, the Community Room will have LEGOs for all ages to build and create. You don't have to register, just come ready for fun.
And if you're in grades 6-12 and would like to get more involved with the IPL, be sure to come to the iTAB Meeting at 6:30 PM when LEGOs @ the Library is done.

Let's Get Fancy With Psanky!

Get in a spring mood with Ukrainian egg decorating called Psanky. Marnie Barnett will be at the Independence Public Library on March 21st to teach the basics of this traditional craft from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. All supplies will be provided, and the class is free and open to the public, but registration is required. You can get more information and register at the IPL or by giving us a call at 334-2470.

Stage Make-Up Workshop At The IPL!

Join the Independence Public Library on March 10th for the Stage Make-Up Workshop with Mary Burkett from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Participants (age 12 and up) will learn the basics and get to try it out for themselves. The program is free, but registration is required. To register or get more information, stop in at the IPL or call us at 334-2470.

Reading In The Palm of Your Hand

Join the Independence Public Library on January 29th from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM to learn how to checkout and purchase ebooks for your phone, tablet, or other mobile devices.

Bring your device to the ebooks for Mobile Devices class. The class is free and open to the public, and will be taught by Kim Van Deest. You can register for the class by calling (334-2470), or stopping in at the library.

iTAB Meeting

The Independence Public Library's Teen Advisory Board (iTAB) will be holding their monthly meeting at 6:30 PM on January 26th, 2015. Teens in 6-12 grades who are interested in joining iTAB can contact the library at 334-2470.

Santa's Workshop for Teens!

Wish there was a place for teens to make gifts for friends and family. Well, wish no more.Teens in grades 6-12 can come to the IPL on December 18th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for Santa's Workshop for Teens. It's free for all teens, and there's no need to register. Just come ready to create.

Minecraft After Hours @ The IPL

Join other Teens and Tweens who love Minecraft tomorrow night at the Independence Public Library. Be sure to register with your username at the IPL. (You can also call us at 334-2470) All the fun starts tomorrow night (Nov. 14th) at 5:00 PM after the library closes.

Please Note: Minecraft After Hours is a free program offered by the IPL, but registration is required. Please contact the library for more information, and to register.

Game Day At The Library For No School Monday!

Be sure to head over to the IPL on the 17th for No School Monday. This time we have games of all kinds. Bring a friend and challenge them to one of our games or bring your own. We'll have board games, card games, and Wii games. No registration is required. Kindergarten through 2nd grade can come between 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM. 3rd Grade through 5th grade can come between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM. 6th grade through 12th grade can come between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM.