New Books!

Next time you're in the library, come check out some of our new JH books! New books are located in front of the small window in the teen area. Recently added titles include

Alphas, by Lisi Harrison, the first book in a new series about the exclusive Alpha Academy boarding school featuring Skye Hamilton from The Clique books.

The Doom Machine by Mark Teague, a madcap science fiction tale chronicling the adventures of troublemaker Jack Creedle and level-headed Isadora Shumway as they try and save Earth from a group of alien invaders.

Stealing Death by Janet Lee Carey, a fantasy tale about a young man who fights death to save people from dying after his family is killed.

Fans of Erin Hunter's Warriors series should check out our brand new Warriors graphic novels!

For a full list of new titles, visit http://www.gleasonlibrary.org/teen_reading_ideas.htm and then click on "New JH Books."

New Moon Party

To celebrate the release of the New Moon movie, several Carlisle teens decided to add a little BITE to their Friday night with Twilight bingo, trivia, crafts, and a character costume contest. Thanks to everyone who helped make the party so much fun!

Upcoming Events

The next TOGA (Teens of Gleason Advisors) meeting is Thursday, December 3, from 3-4 in the Hollis Room.

Like to chat about books? The next meeting of Window into Wild Universe, the teen book club, is Thursday, November 12th, from 3-4 in the Hollis Room. New members in grades 7-9 are welcome!

Questions? Email Cassandra: cmalik@mvlc.org

A New Face

Hey everyone!

My name is Cassandra, and I'm Gleason's new teen librarian. I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you! I also hope to restart TOGA and book club meetings soon - keep checking the blog for updates.

If you see me around the library, please come up and say hi!

Cassandra

Summer Reading 2009 Results

Congratulations! Kudos! Hurrah! to

Elisabeth Sorrows

for reading the most pages in Gleason's teen summer reading program.

Elisabeth read a whopping 9518 pages!

Summer Reading 2009

Did you know that teens can participate in Summer Reading? All logging of pages is done online, and the teen that reads the most between now and July 30th will win the grand prize. To sweeten the pot this year, I will also be drawing random weekly winners, who will each get one draw from our box of advanced readers' copies (books that haven't been released yet!). I will notify each winner by email on Monday of each week, and will post the winner on the website and right here!

For more information, click here.

TWILIGHT

TALK ABOUT THE BOOKS. WATCH THE MOVIE. AGAIN.

TWILIGHT

Join us on Saturday, June 20th, from 12-245 for a book discussion and showing of the movie. All 5th-12th graders are welcome. Snacks and drinks will be provided. No preregistration is required.

Name the Martian

This martian and a few friends found out that the theme of the Massachusetts Summer Reading program is Starship Adventure, so they landed in Carlisle for the summer. Since we don't speak Martian, we don't know what to call him -- it is up to us to give him a name.

Write down your choice for his name and pop it in to the container on the children's desk in the library. We will announce his name -- and the winner -- on June 1, 2009.

While he is here for the summer, the Martian would like to see more of our town and possibly our world. To help him do that, we are offering Martians for check out along with your summer reading books. If you are going on vacation this summer check out one of our Martians. Take him and your books with you, pose him in some vacation shots (on the beach! at the airport! in the ocean!) and return him and your photos to the library when you return from your trip. We will be posting the photos to share with all of our patrons.

Mystery in the Library

A huge THANK YOU to all who planned, set up, and attended Mystery in the Library last weekend! Kudos to Emma Schofield for her expert sleuthing skills and Griffin Bishop for his best costume.

The cast of Mystery in the Library

Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Pinocchio

Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Aladdin

The Queen, Oliver Twist, The Fairy Godmother

Puss in Boots, The Monster, The Scarecrow

Huck Finn, Peter Pan, Miss Marple

There's a
mystery in the library

Help solve it. May 2nd. 12-2pm.
Click the link to find out more.

New DVDs

DVDs suggested by TOGA and on their way to the library's shelves:

A Knight's Tale
Back to the Future 2
Back to the Future 3
Twilight
The Dark Knight

Look for these titles in Carlisle soon.
Thank you TOGA for the recommendations!

Girl Scout Troup 2656 Visits Gleason

Carlisle Girl Scout Troup 2656 spent their St. Patrick's Day at the library, straightening shelves in the children's room, creating a paper chain that will hang throughout the building, and selecting their favorite books and cds for display.

A huge THANK YOU to the Girl Scouts!

Visit the teen space and the register across from the reference desk to check out the troup's selections.

Thank you, TOGA!

TOGA continues to work its magic at Gleason. Its suggestions, likes, dislikes, and enthusiasm for the library have resulted in the creation of Gleason's new teen section, as well as planned events, teen book club, new books, and more.

These new (or soon-to-arrive) books and playaways were ordered because TOGA suggested them:

books

biographies of Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, and Paul McCartney

playaways
Airborn, Eragon, The Misfits, and Princess Academy


Kudos to TOGA for all of its hard work!
If you would like to suggest a title for the library, leave a comment on this post, or send an email to Erica: ewing@mvlc.org

Book Club

Gleason's brand new book club for teens has a new name:
Window into Wild Universe.

The book club is currently reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E. Pearson, and will meet discuss the book on Monday, February 23rd, from 3-4pm in the library.

If you are interested in joining the book club, leave a comment after this post or send an email to Erica (ewing@mvlc.org).

Book Club Update

The first meeting of the teen book club is open to all interested 7^th-9^th graders and will be held on Monday, January 26th from 3-4 at the library. The first book, as well as all club information, will be distributed at the meeting.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Please visit or call the reference desk at (978) 369 4898 to add your name to the list and pick up a permission slip.

Questions? Want more information? Contact Erica, Gleason's teen librarian at ewing@mvlc.org

Book club

What: Book club
Who: 7th-9th graders
When: First meeting is Monday, January 26th from 3-4pm
Where: The library's third floor


If you have any interest joining such a group, talk to Erica
(leave a comment on this post, send an email, come to the library).
More to come in the next few days -- stay tuned!

Thank you!

Gleason's new teen space is finally complete. Many, many thanks to TOGA members and all Gleason teens for helping to redesign the space. The library could not have completed the project without you!!!

Save the Date and Celebrate! Friday, November 21

Teen Space Celebration and Grand Opening

Friday, November 21st from 3:30 - 4:30

With snacks, drinks, and trivia. All are welcome!

Teen Read Week 2008

October 12 - 18 is Teen Read Week in libraries across the country. Celebrate by voting for your favorite titles of this past year. Visit www.ala.org/teenstopten to cast your vote!

Welcome!

If you are new to this blog, welcome! Some things you'll find here:

• Meeting times, agendas, and information about TOGA
  
• Book, movie, and game reviews from guest bloggers (Carlisle teens that submit reviews to be posted)
• A list of books that Gleason's teen librarian has read recently
• Information about teen events that are held at the library.

If you would like to be a guest blogger, or if you have any questions about info you see on the blog, leave a comment on any post, or send an email to Erica, Gleason's teen librarian, at estpeter@mvlc.org.

The next TOGA meeting will be on
Friday,October 10th
from 3:00-4:00.

The next TOGA meeting will be held on
Friday, September 19th from
2:45-3:30

Next TOGA meeting

The next TOGA meeting will be held on
Thursday, August 7th from
3:30-4:30

If you didn't bring your contract to the last meeting, please bring it to this one! Also, please let me know if you won't be able to make it.

Still interested in a movie night?? We can chat about it at the meeting!

Hey Guys!

I'm Carrie, and I'm organizing the new online magazine, TOGAzine. Some of you may have met me or received an email from me already, but I just wanted to let you know about TOGAzine. We are collecting all kinds of art and written pieces to publish online, and eventually in a printed magazine to hand out around town. Ask Erica about how you can submit and get involved or send me an email at carrierose58@aol.com.

TOGA Meeting --- July 2nd Agenda

• Signing contracts for this year's group.
• Brainstorming ideas for a small summer event: movie night?? something else???
• Submitting to the TOGAzine
• time for games??
  

Anyone have anything else they want to talk about that's not on the agenda?? Leave a comment or send Erica an email: estpeter@mvlc.org.

See you on Wednesday!!

NEXT TOGA MEETING: Wednesday July 2, 3-4

Our next meeting is

Wednesday, July 2nd from 3-4pm

(THIS IS A CHANGE from the time we agreed upon at the meeting).

This meeting is mandatory -- don't worry, I'll bring brownies!!

We'll be signing our contracts for the upcoming year. If you can't make it, please please please try to let me know ahead of time, as I'll assume that if you aren't there, you no longer want to be in TOGA. For those of you who can't come, I'll simply send you this year's contract through email.

Calling all future Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Graders: TOGA WANTS YOU!

Do you love the library? Want to help select its books and programs for teens? And going to be entering grades five through eight in the fall? Gleason Public Library's teen advisory board, TOGA, is looking for new members! All are welcome at a no-commitment-necessary, open meeting on Wednesday, June 11^th, held in the library's Hollis Room from 3-4pm. Snacks will be provided!

TOGA (Teens of Gleason Advisors), Gleason's teen advisory group, gives a voice in the library to Carlisle's 5th-8th graders. Currently comprised of about 15 students and overseen by Erica St Peter, Gleason's teen librarian, TOGA meets at least once a month to brainstorm and assist in making decisions that will directly impact teens in the library: book selection, event planning, etc. For more information, visit the library website at www.gleasonlibrary.org, or write Erica: estpeter@mvlc.org.

Next TOGA Meeting --- Friday May 30

HI TOGA!

Don't forget: we have a meeting next Friday, May 30th, from 3-4pm.

On the agenda: Recapping our DDR/Guitar Hero event.

Getting the first look at fabric, furniture, and paint options for the NEW TEEN SPACE!

Talking about the new TOGA group and any changes you'd like to make.

Enjoy the long weekend --- see you Friday!

Book Review - The Navigator

From guest blogger, Connor Melvin:

The Navigator by Eoin Mcnamee

FOUR out of five STARS

This book is about a boy named Owen who one day finds everything he knows of is gone and the only way to get it back is by fighting the Harsh, a group of creatures who want everything gone and like coldness. Will Owen get everything the way is should be or will he be lost forever alone in nothingness?

I thought this was a great book and can't wait for the sequel, "A City in Time."

Want to check this book out for yourself? It can be found in the library's JH section under JH Mcnamee.

Want to write a review of your own? Leave a comment or email Erica (estpeter@mvlc.org)for more details!

Book Review -- Urchin of the Riding Stars

From guest blogger, Elisabeth Sorrows:

Urchin of the Riding Stars
(Mistmantle Chronicles Book 1) by M.I. McAllister

Squirrels, Otters, Hedgehogs, and Moles live in the palace or the woods together. The Moles live in tunnels Underground. The King's wife and son die. The King becomes depressed and is it actually the King that is issuing the orders or not? Will Urchin be able to save Captain Crispin and the Island of Mistmantle?

Fantasy/Adventure; For ages 5^th grade and older.

Want to check this book out for yourself? It can be found in the library's J section under J McAllister.

Want to write a review of your own? Leave a comment or email Erica (estpeter@mvlc.org)for more details!

THANK YOU!!!

Thank you all so much for helping to plan and run last Friday's GREAT event! Your hard
work and creativity made for a fun and super-successful evening. I hope each of you
enjoyed yourselves --- I definitely did!

Since TOGA has been working overtime these past few months to pull this event off, I
thought I would give you a good chunk of time before we meet again. The next TOGA
meeting will be Friday, May 30th, from 3-4pm. Our open meeting for old and new members
will happen in June (more on that soon!). If you want to chat or get ahold of me before
then, stop in the library or send me an email (estpeter@mvlc.org).

Enjoy your school vacation, and thanks to all of you, again. You did a wonderful job!

TOGA MEETING FRIDAY

The next TOGA meeting will be Friday, April 11th, 3-4pm.


What we'll discuss: Everyone's role in the event (signing up for set-up and take-down)
Decorations
Set-up

Other things we'll do: Make button nametags (those of you who weren't at last week's mtg)

PLEASE BRING YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS!

Next TOGA Meeting

The next TOGA meeting will be Thursday, April 3rd, 3-4pm.

Two Things!

---- There is a TOGA Meeting this Friday, the 14th, from 3-430. We'll be making posters and signs advertising our event. Bring any supplies you want.

AND

---- The DDR/Guitar Hero Tournament has been rescheduled for Friday April 18th, from 6:30-9:30 ! I'll have the sign-up sheet and permission slips for you guys at the meeting on Friday, and then open it up to the public on Saturday. Start telling your friends!

TOGA Meeting Minutes - February 29th

TOGA had a great meeting last Friday! Thanks to all of you who were there. We talked A LOT so the minutes are a little but long, but please do take a look at them if you get a chance. They contain just about everything that we talked about, and might help you come up with some new ideas for the next meeting.

We'll meet next on Friday, March 14th, from 3 until 430. We'll be making posters, signs, and nametags for our event. See you then!

February 29, 2008 TOGA Minutes

In attendance: Meg, Elisabeth, Connor, Matthew, Sam, Spencer, Matt, Katherine, Erica (Teen Librarian and TOGA Facilitator)

1. The DDR/Guitar Hero Event

- reminder: double-elimination, signups and permission slips needed, choose
one game only

- date change because of Friday Night Live (no longer April 4)

o it is possible that there might be a dance sometime in April. Meg
will check

- signups will happen within the next few weeks

- still need: TV!! does anyone have one?

o Katherine and Elisabeth suggested we might be able to borrow a tv from their church. Matthew says that he might also have an old
television that we might be able to use for the event.

- also: Meg suggested that some people might like to come to the event and just

read, or want something to do after they've been eliminated

2. Forming committees for the event (Erica will look into budget and have info at next mtg)

- Food/snacks MEG - KATHERINE – ELISABETH [[would anyone else

like to be on this committee? (meg, katherine, and elisabeth all want to be in the reading area and might have some trouble keeping track of the food)]]

o determining types of snacks (m&ms, chips, pretzels, etc)

o keeping tabs on snacks at the event

- Decorations MATTHEW HILL, SPENCER [[who else?]]

o Determining types of decorations (Matthew: blue/green/shiny) (Theme: Geek Gaming at the Gleason)

o Making/finding decorations

- Publicity CONNOR [[who else??]]

o Make and put up posters advertising event (after you know it's okay to do so!)

o Tell lots of people about the event

o Should advertise at Fern's (maybe not – might influence the type of people that come to the event), also at the school library (will work on posters and other items for board at next meeting)

- Activities/Games SAM

o Other things to do in the teen section

3. Guest blogging on the teen blog

- teensofgleason.blogspot.com

- I would like more people to visit it, and for it to become more interactive

- SO……two TOGA members per month responsible for sending me a post

- Reviews of books, movies, videogames, television shows, info about upcoming events, etc

- Two volunteers to send me a post by March 31 (email, drop it off, bring it to a meeting, etc) MEG and KATHERINE

- Everyone thinks the blog is boring…want to update it a bit. At next meeting, will look at the blog together and see what we can do to spruce it up. (pictures of TOGA members, the image of our Geek Gamer, etc)

Other ideas generated at the meeting:

Matt (and others who would like to – maybe Sadina?) is going to draw his very own version of the "Geek Gamer" – which may be used as part of the publicity for the event.

TOGA members will wear name tags at the event (we'll make those up at the next meeting)

The school library board should include publicity for the event, as well as meeting minutes and the date of the next open meeting

School library board should have info about event, as well as permission slips, that kids must bring to the library in order to be signed up for the event (will make it clear that you must hand in the permission slip and sign up at the Gleason in order to attend the event!)

Erica told everyone that the suggestion box is a huge hit – lots of suggestions are coming in for books, the space, etc. It was a great idea!

Sam volunteered to dress up as the "Geek Gamer" but Erica suggested that an animated version would work just as well. Thanks, Sam – Sorry!!

4. Next meeting – Friday, February 14th

- we'll be making posters for the event, and might even head down to the Teen space to brainstorm

TOGA Meeting this week

It's time for another TOGA meeting !

Friday, the 29th
3-4:00 pm

What we'll discuss:

The DDR/Guitar Hero Event (and what we need to do before then)
Forming Committees for the event (food, decorations, etc)
Guest blogging right here on the teen blog


Come with ideas!

Job Opportunity -- Library Page

LIBRARY PAGE, GLEASON PUBLIC LIBRARY, CARLISLE :

To coordinate a new literary and art magazine for teens. Graduation from ninth grade or equivalent; volunteer or work experience with editing recommended. Min. $8/hr up to 50 hours total. This is a grant funded position. Send cover letter and resume to Angela Mollet, Director, Gleason Public Library, 22 Bedford Rd. Carlisle, MA 01741 or to amollet@mvlc.org. Deadline: March 14, 2008. EOE/AA

BIG NEWS!

Our gaming event is currently being re-scheduled.

It will featuring: DDR and Guitar Hero !!!!

more details to come!

Next TOGA Meeting

The next TOGA meeting will be

Friday, February 29th
3-4:00 pm

We'll be talking about the upcoming event. See you then!

Next TOGA Meeting - January 29th

The next TOGA meeting will be

Tuesday, January 29th
3-4:30 pm

What we'll be talking about:


-Our SPRING gaming event
-Book reviews to be posted on a new bulletin board in the Library's Teen Area
- The SUGGESTION BOX
- Anything else you guys have on your mind!


I hope you can make it!

January 11th Meeting Minutes

Thanks for the GREAT meeting last week, everyone! Here's the minutes:

TOGA (Teens of Gleason Advisors)
Minutes
January 11th, 2008

In attendance: Spencer, Ryan, Matt P., Sam, Matthew H., Amelia, Katherine, Connor,
Elizabeth, Meg, Susannah, and Erica (TOGA facilitator and Teen Librarian)

Generating Ideas on Renovating the Library's Teen Section
- Should be divided into two sections: one with comfy chairs (quiet), and one with tables (group work/ chatting area)
- Furniture suggestions: butterfly chairs, better tables (longer, with more room to
spread out books/homework), huge wraparound couch with table in the middle
- Make better use of the window seat
- The teen section needs to look different from the rest of the library, and feel like a
more defined space. Way to do that: livelier paint colors (blues and greens?).
- Because it is difficult for people to know where the library?s teen section is, there
should be signs pointing it out, in the section, and downstairs.
- Group voted on putting a suggestion box in the teen section, where anyone can offer
ideas about renovating the space, as well as book suggestions. A box will be placed
there. Depending on its success, a similar suggestion box may be placed in the school
library, as well.

Spring Event
- To be held in March/April/May
- Based upon ideas generated at the previous meeting, Erica has begun looking into
bringing someone to the library to run a DDR Tournament. The group was split over
whether or not they?d want DDR or Guitar Hero. Much debate ensued. Rather than put it
to a vote, TOGA opted to decide this via ballot box. Erica is now working to see if an
event with both would be feasible.
- No matter what the event is, want to make sure that it is successful (high attendance),
has lots of supplemental activities (not board games!), and is fun.
- Fundraiser?

New Books in the collection
- Everyone would like to see some new books in the teen collection. Erica
stated that new books are always coming into the collection, and that she is
open to suggestions.
- Suggestion box will go in the teen section.

New Members
- TOGA decided to uphold its contract, and not allow open meetings (and new
members) until well after the next event.
- Exception: Katherine and Elizabeth?s friend, Sadina, who it is believed will
make a positive contribution to the group, was voted in.

Next Meeting
- Tuesday, January 29th, from 3:00pm to 4:30pm

As you can see, we actually did get so much accomplished! I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting in a few weeks.

TOGA Meeting this Friday

The next TOGA Meeting is this week!

Friday, January 11th
3-4pm

I hope to see you all there!

Read any good books over winter break?

I've been using all of this indoor weather time to catch up on some books I've been meaning to read, like Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

If you've read any good (or not so good) books lately, or seen any great movies, I'd love to hear about them! Leave a comment for me or send an email to estpeter@mvlc.org.


And, if you're ever wondering what I've been reading, just look at Books I've Just Read on the right hand side of this blog - there will always be a list of books there!

TOGA meeting --- JANUARY 11th.

The next TOGA meeting will be

Friday, January 11th
3-4pm

What we'll be talking about:

-Getting the word out about TOGA and our meetings
-Our tentative March gaming event
-Book reviews to be posted on a new bulletin board in the Library's Teen Area
-Redesigning the Library's teen area.
- Anything else you guys have on your mind!

I hope to see you on the 11th! (there will be snacks)

Hi Everyone, I'm Erica.

Hi TOGA members –

I'm Erica, Gleason's new teen librarian – I'll be picking up where Sharon left off. Since I've only met a few of you, I wanted to introduce myself and give you all an opportunity to introduce yourselves to me.

Things I like (and know a little bit about): movies, baseball, ice cream, running, cooking, reading, and my bulldog, Moxie.

QUESTION --> What are some of your favorites? Tell me about them, and maybe we'll be able to work them in to the next TOGA meeting or event!

We'll be having our next TOGA meeting in January. Since wintertime can be really busy, I'd like to hear from each of you when you'd like to meet:

QUESTION --> Would you like TOGA Meetings to be held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays?

Once I've heard from you, I'll schedule our next meeting and send out a few reminder emails.

I've been hearing great things about all of you, and am excited to meet and chat with you! Send me an email (estpeter@mvlc.org), leave a comment in the blog, or stop by the library – I'm here Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Also, be sure to check back here on the TOGA blog often - I'll be updating with polls, book reviews, and TOGA info frequently.

Welcome to the new blog!

Feel free to comment on anything you like. Post anonymously if you want. All comments will be monitored before they're posted.

If you have any problems with this site, please email Angela at amollet@mvlc.org or Nancy at nboutet@mvlc.org.

Have fun.

Sharon Has News

Hi everyone. I have some sad news.

Next week will be my last week here in Carlisle. I have a new job that starts on November 5 so my last day will be Saturday November 3.

For now, Nancy, a children's librarian and Angela, the director will be running the TOGA meetings. They will run the next meeting on Tuesday December 4, 3:30-5pm.

In the meantime, feel free to come visit me before I leave. You can also email me at scolvin99 @ yahoo.com if you want.

I'll miss all of you guys!

Sharon