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Teens

2015 Haunt Your Library Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following children and teens whose stories will be featured as part of the Kenton County Public Library Halloween Writing Contest. Since 2002, hundreds of creative children and teens have entered their creative spooky stories into the contest. This year, over 130 stories were submitted. While all the stories were wonderful, the following have been selected and will be featured in the Community Recorder the week of October 26, 2015: Grades 1-3 First Place Poetry Winner - Halloween Night by James M. - Age 8 Second Place Poetry Winner: “Halloween’s Coming” by Devin W. - Age 8 Third Place Poetry Winner: “Halloween is Coming!” by Jayla M. - Age 8 First Place Prose Winner - All I Want Is a Pumpkin Pie by Ruth M. - Age 6 Second Place Prose Winner: “The Pumpkin” by Jude H. - Age 8 Third Place Prose Winner: "The Castle" by Eleanor D. - Age 8 Grades 4-6 First Place Poetry Winner - Spooky by Elizabeth M. - Age 12 Second Place Poetry Winner: “In Just One Night” by Kenzie J. - Age 12 Third Place Poetry Winner: “Halloween Party” by Julia G. - Age 10 First Place Prose Winner - Scary Encounter by James T. - Age 10 Second Place Prose Winner: “The Haunted Library” by Madison K. - Age 9 Third Place Prose Winner: “Halloween Night” by Piper L. - Age 9 Grades 7-12 First Place Poetry Winner - The Ground on Which You Stood by Kelsey B. - age 12 First Place Prose Winner - Rumors by Audrey D. - age 12 Second Place Prose Winner: “Forgotten House” by Nicholas C. - age 14 Third Place Prose Winner: “The Halloween” by Natalie F. - age 12

By frilling|October 23rd, 2015|Categories: Featured Post, KCPL, teens, Teens|Comments Off

Annual KCPL Teen Photo Contest!

Do you know someone in middle or high school who takes great pictures? Our annual photo contest is their chance to show off! First prize is a $100 prepaid debit card and your photo as the cover for the KCPL Teens facebook page; 2nd prize is a $50 prepaid debit card. (Last year's gallery show prep, photo by Jessy Griffith, teen services librarian at Durr/Independence.) All the photos will be on display at our gallery show events. These are open to any and everyone in the community! This year we're are having gallery shows at all three Kenton Library branches: Saturday, February 1, 12-4pm at Durr (Independence) Sunday, February 2, 2-4pm at Covington Monday, February 3, 6-8pm at Erlanger Submit up to 2 JPEG images as email attachments to kcplteens@gmail.com between January 1-January 27. Include your name, grade, and contact phone or e-mail. I will send a reply after I receive your photos. If you do not get a reply email, please try again or call the library. By entering the contest you are allowing the library to use the images in promotional materials (like this blog post [except the gallery show photo]) and galleries both online and in print. Maximum two entries per person. Judges will be library staff and volunteers.

By frilling|January 21st, 2014|Categories: Teens|Tags: library photo contest, photography contest, prizes, teen photography|Comments Off

The Best 10 Young Adult Books of 2013

Young Adult novels are not just for teens anymore. YA fiction is, in my opinion, the most popular trend in fiction right now, and it will continue to draw readers of all ages - at least until all of our favorite series are finished! Here are my choices for the Top 10 Young Adult Books of 2013. I chose my favorites and what I thought were the most popular 10 books. They are then rated by how many times each book was checked out by you! What is your #1 book of 2013? Do you agree with my choices? Sound off in the comments! 1. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. Book #2 in The Lunar Chronicles. 2. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. Book #2 in the Shatter Me series. 3. Prodigy by Marie Lu. Book #2 in the Legend series 4. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 5. Dare You To by Katie McGarry 6. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare 7. Allegiant by Veronica Roth 8. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen 9. City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare 10. Rogue by Gina Damico Click on the covers to find a link to each book in the library catalog - from there you can see where the books are on library shelves, put yourself on hold for one, or even check out an ebook copy. For fans of Gina Damico's Croak series or teens who love reading we have a special event coming up! On Wednesday, December 4th at 5:30 p.m. Erlanger's teen book club, Beyond the Book, will have a discussion of the series and live video chat with Gina Damico! She'll talk about the series, answer your questions, and hopefully tell us a little bit about her forthcoming novels. You can find more info and [...]

By KCPL Staff|November 26th, 2013|Categories: Adults, at the library, Teens|Tags: allegiant, best books, best YA 2013, book club, books, Cassandra Clare, city of bones, Croak series, Gina Damico, giveaway, John Green, kenton county public library, Kenton Library, library, mortal instruments, Rogue, teen books, teen librarian, teen programs, veronica roth, ya book reviews, YA books, YA books 2013, YA dystopia, YA fictio, young adult books, young adult programs|Comments Off

Celebrate Teen Read Week with KCPL

Teen Read Week is an annual promotional event sponsored by ALA and YALSA to encourage teens to read and use their library, and to celebrate teen books. KCPL is celebrating TRW at each branch, so there are events and contests for everyone! Your friendly Teen Librarians want to encourage all teens to come to the library and discover something new! Erlanger branch Read a New Book and Win! Read any book from the new shelves or published in the last year and fill out an entry form at the Reference Desk. The more you read the more chances you have to win cool prizes like gift cards, signed books, and book swag from YA authors. Teen Read Party Monday 10/14 at 6:00 p.m.: Celebrate Teen Read Week and all things bookish at a Teen Read Party! Come dressed as your favorite book character for the costume contest, enter a raffle to win books and other prizes, participate in Young Adult Fiction trivia, and more! Covington branch TeenSpace Monday 10/14-10/18 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hang out with friends or meet new ones in the new YA area. Gaming, computers, homework, crafting; there's always something happening here. Pick up your free Teen Read Week book and drop your name in the raffle for a gift card. Teen Read Week Book Giveaway Drop by the TeenSpace anytime during TRW (10/13-10/19) to choose your free book. Manga, Graphic Novels, Fiction and Non-fiction titles are up for grabs, the sooner you come the better your selection. Zombie Prom Saturday 10/19 at 9:00 p.m.: Dance with the undead at the Teens only DJ dance party. Costumes appreciated, prizes awarded. Permission slips required. Durr branch Teen Program Idea Contest Have a great idea for a teen [...]

By KCPL Staff|October 8th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|Comments Off

Dare to Read for the Fun of It!

It’s Teen Read Week – Oct. 14-20! Teen Read Week is a time to celebrate reading for fun and encourage teens to take advantage of reading in all its forms —books and magazines, e-books, audiobooks and more — and become regular library users. I have a teen in my house who loves attending library programs and reading young adult books. I’m not a librarian (public relations coordinator) nor did I work at the library when she was little. I did read to her a lot when she was little so I do have to take some credit for her love of books. My 13-year-old, Andi, enjoys the popular books like the Hunger Games and Twilight trilogies and “Divergent.” I hope to introduce her to some of the classics like “The Outsiders,” “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Catcher in the Rye” soon. As a 37-year-old mother, I still love YA books. My favorites are “Hunger Games” and “To Kill A Mockingbird.” My fifth grade son is starting to find a passion for YA books. He also loves the Hunger Games trilogy and is finding that he enjoys sci-fi quite a bit. Joey is anxious for the day he can attend teen programs at the library, which are for those in grades 6-12. The Kenton County Public Library offers teen programs at all three branches – Covington, Durr in Independence and Erlanger. The branches offer Anima and Manga clubs, crafting programs, movie and book discussions, chess club, writing groups, movie nights, gaming events, jewelry making and much more. All of the programs are free. Each branch also has a teen space (Covington is currently being renovated) just for teens to hang out. They can play games, read [...]

By frilling|October 16th, 2012|Categories: Around the Community, at the library, Teens|Tags: anime, gaming, Good Reads, Hunger Games, kenton county public library, librarian, library, manga, teen read, teen read week, teen space, To Kill a Mocking Bird, YA books, young adult|Comments Off

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Read-alikes

If you like Daughters of Smoke and Bone try these:

By frilling|December 17th, 2015|Categories: Featured Post, Teens|Comments Off

DIY PROM

It’s prom time, so let’s talk about hair and makeup! If there’s one thing I (Jessy the Librarian) love as much as stories, it’s probably lipstick. Or maybe eyeliner. One of the best place I’ve found for (non-video) makeup/hair tutorials is The Beauty Department. I love the idea of a metallic eye, especially if your dress is more of a matte texture, like tulle. Last month, OPI released 4 sheer tint polishes. Look at all the pretty ideas Phoenix Beauty Lounge came up with! When it comes to pretty hair, my own personal taste is basically “shove it all up behind your head in a messy chignon or at the nape of your neck in a messy bun with lots of pretty bobby pins." But this isn’t a blog about what Jessy the Librarian would dress up like; it’s full of tips and tricks and DIYs for all sorts of tastes! If you have straight hair (or want to straighten your hair for prom), Martha Stewart has lots of guides. If you have curly hair, there are guides for pretty updos here and here. If you want complicated pretty braids (and really, who doesn't), what about a waterfall braid? Here's a tutorial video I found on youtube. Want more ideas for prom hair and makeup? Check out our prom-related pinterest board! This post was written by Durr Young Adult Librarian Jessy.

By frilling|April 16th, 2014|Categories: Around the Community, Teens|Tags: Hair dos, hair for prom, high school prom, makeup for prom, nails for prom, Prom|Comments Off

Four Weeks of Giveaways

Yes, you read that right; The Library will have four weeks of giveaways! This week we are starting off with an awesome tote bag filled with books, a library card holder, a Kenton County Public Library coffee mug, $5 Starbucks gift card and $5 off any purchase at Joseph Beth. The books are: "Make a Gingerbread Man" by Conni Medina, an advance copy of "The Bell Bandit" by Jacqueline Davies, a great read for boys and girls 9 and older, an advanced copy of "The Last PoliceMan" by Ben Winters, an adult fiction murder mystery story, an advance reader's copy of "Laugh With the Moon" by Shana Burg, a young adult book about a teen dealing with loss and finding her way, "Hey, That's Not Trash" by Renee Jablow, a great book for young readers about recycling, and "Drawing and Learning about Fashion" by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt, a fabulous how to book for tweens and teens interested in fashion. There really is a book for everyone in this prize pack. The winner can keep them for the family or give them as gifts. Details on how to enter are below. In addition to setting you up with a fabulous bag of books, the Library can help with the holidays in so many other ways. Let's start with shopping. Are you looking for an e-reader, a computer, a car, TV or other item that has many choices and you aren't sure what to buy? We have staff who can teach you how to use Consumer Reports Online and it's free. You can even access this online service from your home. We also have staff who can explain the difference between e-readers and teach you how to download books for free. Did you buy someone an [...]

By frilling|December 4th, 2012|Categories: Adults, at the library, childrens, Online Resources, Teens|Tags: books as gifts, consumer reports, fashion design, free book giveaway, free books, free gift wrap, free magazines, free music, holiday giving, Library holiday, YA books|Comments Off

Fourth Week of Giveaways; Your Holiday Entertainment

What will you be doing over your holiday break? If you plan on spending the entire break checking your Facebook, watching TV, or playing Farmville you should probably check out some entertainment alternatives. Your local friendly Teen Librarians have compiled some resources to help you out! Okay, first of all: I have to promote the library for your entertainment needs. You can download 3 free mp3s a week with Freegal and look at a ton of different magazines for free online with Zinio. Just go to this link! You can sign up for Zinio and Freegal accounts with your library card number If you don't have your card or don't know your number just give us a call and we can look it up for you! https://www.kentonlibrary.org/ebooks/indextmp.htm Okay, now let's get to the real fun. Hopefully you'll be getting some video games for Christmas. Don't worry, if you don't get them you can just check them out from the library! Borderlands 2 just came out. We will have it. Go here to reserve your copy from the library! Avengers: Battle for Earth was released in December. You can also get it from the library here! Did you get or give an iPad, iPod, or iPhone today? If you did, welcome to your new favorite game! It’s free, it’s social, and it’s more fun than endlessly hitting refresh on your favorite webpage until school starts up again. This is a game called “SpaceTeam”. The first thing you want to do is find 2-4 other people who have also downloaded it and get them in the same wifi or Bluetooth with you. Then your goal is to fix the most breaking-est spaceship ever, by saying silly words! Everyone [...]

By KCPL Staff|December 25th, 2012|Categories: At Home, at the library, Online Resources, Teens, Uncategorized|Tags: break, christmas, games, holiday, holiday break, internet, online, online games, tv, vacation, video games, winter, winter break, winter vacation|Comments Off

Free Help for ACT & SAT Prep

Nervous about the road to college? The Kenton County Public Library can help reduce your anxiety in the area of test taking. The library has many resources available to help you boost your ACT/SAT scores to gain college admittance and put you in the driver’s seat for potential scholarships. Test preparation study guide books from prestigious companies like Kaplan, Petersen, Barron’s and The Princeton Review can set you back over $35 a book. The library has all the 2013 latest editions to master the ACT or SAT from these publishers and you can check them out for free. Simply search SAT TEST or ACT TEST under “keyword” in the library’s catalog to request individual titles to be placed on hold for you to pick-up. The library gives you a window of 3-5 days to retrieve the books, before they return to the shelves. Current college test preparation books can generally be checked out for two weeks. Concerned about finding enough time to study in between high school homework, extracurricular activities and sports? No worries! Kenton County Public Library also offers Test Preparation Software on our webpage that you can access anytime day or night with your library card. Simply go to the KCPL web page, click on Research & Homework, then Test Preparation. You will immediately be taken to the Learning Express web site. Click on College Preparation (left side of page) and register as a First Time User with your library card number and PIN (often the last four digits of your phone number) . Uncover the buttons to ACT Preparation and you will find free online courses to aid you in English, Reading, Science, Math and Writing sections. Besides the test prep courses, [...]

By frilling|January 22nd, 2013|Categories: Adults, Teens|Tags: ACT practice test, ACT prep, free ACT help, free SAT help, library help, SAT practice test, studying for ACT, studying for SAT|Comments Off

Great Teen Fiction – Sci-Fi, Adventure, and Dystopia

Looking for some great new books to read over spring break? Check out the featured YA fiction below! Click on the cover to be taken to the KCPL catalog, where you can place a hold on a book or find more great books by these authors. The Glass Arrow is Kristen Simmons' latest stand-alone novel. She describes it as her feminist novel - and it definitely is that! The Glass Arrow tells Aya's story as she fights her way out of captivity and struggles for survival in a dystopian world where women are bought and sold. This Shattered World is the next installment in the Starbound series by authors Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Galaxy-spanning science fiction with a healthy dose of romance, action, and mystery, the Starbound series can be read in any order. Kalahari is the latest standalone novel from YA sci-fi author Jessica Khoury. Sarah and her father live in the middle of the Kalahari desert. When her father disappears in dangerous circumstances, Sarah must lead a group of teenage safari-goers on a quest to find out what happened to her family.

By frilling|March 13th, 2015|Categories: teens, Teens|Comments Off

Holiday Candy Making and Baking

The holiday season is a great time to gather with friends and family to bake yummy recipes. Whether organizing a cookie swap, baking homemade presents or enjoying the baked goods at home; the Kenton County Public Library can lend you hand with it's wide array of available materials and free events. On Sunday, December 20 from 2-4pm, Teens, ages 11-18, can make holiday candies to give as presents at the Covington Branch Library during the Candy Shop program. Here are some great reads for new and old holiday recipes. Please click on the book to reserve a copy using your library card available for pick up at any of our three locations: Check out the library's Pinterest Holiday Yums board for more ideas. Don't forget the Holiday tunes while baking! There are electronic (Freegal and Hoopla) and hard copies of favorite holiday songs available at your Library. -courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Cake Pops Ingredients 1 package 2-layer-size cake mix 1 cups frosting 12 ounces vanilla- or chocolate-flavored candy coating, chopped 12 ounces semisweet, dark, or white baking chocolate, chopped 34 lollipop sticks Directions Prepare desired-flavor cake mix according to package directions. Use any suggested pan size and bake according to package directions. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Line trays or baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper; set aside. Remove cooled cake from pan and crumble into a very large mixing bowl. Add desired-flavor frosting. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Using a small scoop, drop mixture into 1 1/2-inch mounds onto prepared trays; roll mounds into balls and freeze for 30 minutes. In a small microwave-safe dish heat 1 ounce of the coating (about 1/4 cup) on 50% power (medium) for 60 seconds until melted and smooth, stirring [...]

By Erin DeSantis|December 17th, 2015|Categories: Teens|Comments Off

Hot Teen Reads

Many awesome young adult books have been published recently and the Kenton County Public Library has a lot to offer. Here are a some popular picks: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Cath is a Simon Snow fan, well; the whole world is a Simon Snow fan. But for Cath, being a fan is her life. She and her twin sister, Wren, grew up being fangirls. Now they’re going to college, can Cath leave Simon Snow behind? If you haven’t read Eleanor & Park yet by Rowell, you should. It’s the story of two star-crossed misfits; smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. Allegiant by Veronica Roth The third book in the Divergent series; comes out on October 22nd. What if your whole world was a lie? What if a single revelation changed everything? What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected? This explosive conclusion of the Divergent trilogy reveals secrets of the dystopian world. Unsouled by Neal Shusterman The story that began with Unwind continues. Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. They’re not just running away from something; this time, they’re running toward answers to bring down unwinding forever. Out October 15th. In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin All These Things I’ve Done, the first novel in the Birthright series, introduced us to timeless heroine Anya Balanchine, a plucky sixteen year old with the heart of a girl and the responsibilities of a grown woman. Now eighteen, life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya. This is the story of growing up and learning [...]

By frilling|September 24th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|Tags: books for teens, great teen reads, in the age of love, teen reads, the pretenders, young adult books|Comments Off

The Kenton County Public Library is Spooktacular!

I love October. I think it’s my favorite month of the year. The weather is cooler – perfect for jeans and sweatshirts. The leaves turn beautiful colors, it’s the perfect time for making smores over a bonfire, I enjoy the flavors of fall including pumpkin spiced anything, children are getting excited about Halloween and the programming at the Library is spooktacular! I love helping my kids design their costumes and decorating my house and yard. “How to Create Spectacular Halloween Costumes” by Louann Brown,” Paper Crafts for Halloween” by McGee, Randel and “Haunted House Adventure Crafts” by Anna Llimos Plomer are great books to assist with decorating and costumes. Having Zinio online has made cooking, decorating and making costumes even easier! Zinio is an online service available through the Library that offers thousands of magazine subscriptions for free. I love “Taste of Home Holiday,” “Family Circle,” “Country Living,” “Parenting” and “Women’s Day” for holiday ideas, recipes and more. The Library offers great fall/Halloween programs this month – all for free. There is a Haunt Your Library contest taking place at the Covington Branch Library for grades 1-6 until October 10. Winning stories will be featured in The Recorder Newspaper and prizes will be awarded. The Halloween storytimes are definitely the cutest thing we see all year – babies in costume! The Boo Bash, Octoberfest and Pumpkin Carving Party are sure to be a good time. The Haunted Library at the Durr Branch on Friday, Oct. 26 and Sat., Oct. 27 promises to offer thrills, chills and laughs. This is suggested for those 6 and older. The Durr Branch has a few Dracula themed events this month as well as a presentation by the Paranormal Investigators [...]

By frilling|October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Adults, at the library, childrens, Teens|Tags: fall flavors, free magazine, ghost stories, giveaway, Halloween, haunted house, haunted kentucky, haunted library, October, Recorder Newspapers, scary stories, The Community Press, Zinio|Comments Off

Magic, Manga, Gaming, Baking, Zombies = New Teen Librarian

Eden, the new Young Adult Programming Librarian at Erlanger Hi, my name is Eden, and being a Young Adult Programmer is my dream job. I’m still a teenager at heart. Okay, I just turned 25, but really, I enjoy all of the same things that your teenager does. I’m an otaku: that means I’m obsessed with anime, manga, and Japanese culture in general. I’m a gamer: I can talk gaming systems and the latest Mass Effect, I play Magic: The Gathering and have a collection of Yu-Gi-Oh cards at my work desk. I love reading: Young Adult dystopian literature, science fiction and fantasy, and cookbooks are my favorites (see Library catalog to put items on hold). I’m a cosplayer: : I love designing and sewing anime and video game costumes and crafting props and accessories. I’m a baker: I will make dozens of cookies to relieve stress. I started as the Young Adult Programmer at the Erlanger branch on October 8th. It’s been a crazy month since then! I have to give some thanks to Jessy Griffith from the Durr branch for being a super cool mentor and helping get me into the swing of things. I am also very excited to work with Erin DeSantis, the YA Librarian at the Covington branch, starting next year. Those two have some awesome programs and do really great things for their branches. Recently some of my program regulars have been asking about what I do at work besides run Teen Space. I just can’t even describe it all. When I leave for work in the morning I have a unique checklist: Harry Potter lunchbox, YA dyslit to check-in, Magic decks, anime magazines, keys, nametag, manga posters. Seriously, I have the [...]

By frilling|November 27th, 2012|Categories: at the library, Teens|Tags: anime, chess club, dytopia literature, free entertainment for teens, free programs for teens, free teen events, gaming, keep teen busy, magic for teens, manga, role-playing games, survive a zombie attack, teen board games, teen book club, teen librarian, Teen library, teen movie night, YA book, young adult books, young adult programs, zombie survival|Comments Off

Magical Realism in YA Fiction

Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite books of the last year, and they all fit into a strange category of sub-genre called "Magical Realism." YA Highway describes magical realism in a clever way: In a nutshell, magical realism is a very subtle genre which adds elements the surreal to a character's everyday life. There is usually no explanation for these magical ingredients; there is no world-building; there is only a dose of strangeness to interrupt what would otherwise be a completely contemporary, realistic story. According to critic Luis Leal, "If you can explain it, then it's not magical realism." Basically, these books have strange, magical, and/or fantastical elements that simply can't be explained easily, if at all. If you're looking for something mind-opening, twisty and strange, magical and profound, check out one of these great reads.

By frilling|May 26th, 2015|Categories: teens, Teens|Comments Off

Manga Reviews: Bunnies, Alice, and Vampire Boys

Graphic novels and manga are not just for teens or anime fans. There are so many great stories and wonderful artists out there for you to discover, so why not try something new! Below are three popular manga series that could appeal to just about anyone. Bunny Drop is one of the most unique and unusual manga series I have ever encountered. It is a perfect choice for those wanting to give manga a try and haven't read anything else or watching much anime before. It is in the slice-of-life genre, meaning that it portrays the real life of the characters, with no fantasy, science fiction, or supernatural content. Bunny Drop is the story of Rin Kaga, that little girl pictured on the cover, as she grows up with her adopted guardian, Daikichii. Rin is the daughter of a manga artist/author mother who abandoned her to Daikichii’s grandfather, who is the father! Daikichii does his best to raise Rin, while Rin unknowlingly makes Daikichii into a better person in her own way. Bunny Drop is unbelievably sweet and addicting. Get your copy from KCPL by going to the catalog here! I personally am not a fan of the original Alice in Wonderland or Alice Through the Looking Glass or even the classic animated "Alice in Wonderland" movie. There is something unnerving about it. Despite that, I absolutely loved Alice in the Country of Hearts by QuinRose. The main character is, of course, the one and only Alice Lidell. Alice is feisty, but she isn't mean, and she stands up for herself and stands her ground when it comes to things she feels strongly about. The male characters are so varied and different, and their character designs are incredible detailed; they have so much depth [...]

By KCPL Staff|July 23rd, 2013|Categories: Adults, Teens|Tags: alice in the country of hearts, alice in wonderland, anime, blood lad, book review, kenton county public library, Kenton Library, library, manga, manga review, QuinRose, summer reading, teen books, teen librarian, teen programs, teens, YA books, young adult books|Comments Off

New Year, New Attitude for School

The Library has a lot of resources for homework help. Many of which can be accessed through our website with your Kenton County Public Library card, even from home. On our home page, under Research and Homework, there are a couple of resources that can help with homework as well as build your students’ confidence level. First, there is the database page. This page lists all of the databases, or online resources, that our library users have access to, as well as a description of the information you can find in each resource. There is also a link titled Test Prep. This leads to the Learning Express Library. Here you will sample practice tests for all ages as well as skill building exercises. You can also watch a video on how to use Learning Express. You can also help your child brush up on their foreign language classes with Mango and Little Pim online. Did you or your student receive an e-reader or tablet over the holidays? If so, we have digital books available for check out from home. On our homepage, right above the Research and Homework link there is a link called eBooks & eAudio. Overdrive eBooks features a few picture books and many chapter books for children. OneClickDigital is our audio book catalog. Many students find it helpful to listen to a book while they read it. Many students today find it fun to read on an electronic device! It also helps encourage your children to read if they see their parents reading traditional books or on e-readers. Check out our collection of relaxation and meditation CDs or perhaps you would prefer a comedian on CD or DVD. We also offer the service Freegal which allows [...]

By frilling|January 15th, 2013|Categories: at the library, childrens, Online Resources, Teens|Tags: ACT practice test, ebooks, free ACT practice test, free homework help, free language learning, fresh start for school, homework help, library card, new attitude for school, project research, reference help, SAT practice test|Comments Off

Not Your Mother’s Book Club: All-Things-Book-Discussion at the Library

Book clubs: What images do those two words conjure up for you? Ladies sipping tea and trading favorite lines from Jane Austen, right? Or a group of suburban moms huddled around adult beverages with the latest chick lit offering? Or maybe a conversation that’s a little too academic, with participants bandying around literary terms like “foreshadowing” and “malapropism” and overanalyzing every paragraph. Certainly these images are true for some groups, but don’t think that book discussion is an activity limited to any certain demographic or that you had to have majored in English to take part. Reading and discussing a book with others is something that everyone can enjoy, and the benefits are enormous: Book groups broaden your reading horizons. You will read quite a number of books you normally wouldn’t give a second glance. Yes, you’ll probably dislike some of them (I’m looking at you, Never Let Me Go and The Night Circus), but you will also enjoy a lot of them. Some of the books that you never imagined yourself reading will become your absolute favorites (Now I’m looking at you, Where’d You Go, Bernadette? and O Pioneers!). They’ll also broaden your worldview. You will learn about other cultures and perhaps gain different perspectives from your group members’ points-of-view. You get to meet new people – and sometimes establish long term friendships with your group members. (And if nothing else, sometimes you’ll find someone to snark along with you about a particularly terrible protagonist or plot.) Your communication skills will improve because you’ll be listening to other people talk about the books you read together. And with all those books, your reading comprehension skills will be sharpened as well. At the [...]

By frilling|May 6th, 2014|Categories: Adults, At Home, at the library, Teens|Tags: book club, book club kits, how to join a book club|Comments Off

Prom Tips

It’s prom time, so let’s talk about hair and makeup! If there’s one thing I (Jessy the Librarian) love as much as stories, it’s probably lipstick. Or maybe eyeliner. One of the best place I’ve found for (non-video) makeup/hair tutorials is The Beauty Department. I love the idea of taking this studded eyeliner but using crystals and liner in different colors. This is definitely the sort of thing I would run a trial on first. Test out creating the look, then have a backyard dance party or just jump around a lot—make sure those crystals stay put! When it comes to pretty hair, my own personal taste is basically “shove it all up behind your head in a messy chignon or at the nape of your neck in a messy bun with lots of pretty bobby pins." But this isn’t a blog about what Jessy the Librarian would dress up like; it’s full of tips and tricks and DIYs for all sorts of tastes! If you have straight hair (or want to straighten your hair for prom), Martha Stewart has lots of guides. If you have curly hair, there are guides for pretty updos here and here. Want more ideas for prom hair and makeup? Check out our prom-related pinterest board! This post was written by Durr Young Adult Librarian Jessy.

By frilling|April 22nd, 2013|Categories: Teens|Tags: dance party, library, prom hair, prom makeup, prom tips|Comments Off

Simple Cooking for Teens

Maybe you think that cooking is difficult, nearly impossible or you want to kick your basic cooking skills up a notch. Maybe you’re a fast foodie or tired of your same old ramen noodle diet. Whatever your skill level the Kenton County Public Library has you covered with a variety of resources and programs. You’re busy, you don’t have a lot of time to cook but fast food doesn’t have to be junk food. Top Ten Time Tips from Real Food, Real Fast by Sam Stern, young adult author of cookbooks for teens. Don’t waste time wandering round your kitchen looking for an ingredient or piece of equipment. Get organized! Vegetables chopped small take a shorter time to cook. Need the oven? Switch it on-first thing you do. Save time and energy by using the right size pan. Water can take ages to boil, so try not to use too much. Get that lid on the pan for speedier heating. Use time well. If you’re waiting for something to boil or marinate, prep something else. Extra time suits some food like marinating meat, so do’em the day before and fridge’em. Make more food than you need at a time. Double recipes. That’s lots of time saved and other meals taken care of. Take opportunities. If you’ve got bread left over, make breadcrumbs and stick them in the freezer for later. Make stock from roasts. Freeze fruit for crumbles, yogurt bowls and smoothies. Speed things up by using the right stuff. A sharp knife’s faster than a blunt one. Try a hand mixer. Get good equipment and a sharp grater. This book might be for you, it’s organized by minutes for the length of time it [...]

By Erin DeSantis|July 24th, 2014|Categories: Featured Post, Teens|Tags: cooking, healthy eating, teens|Comments Off

Summer Travel: Far and Wide or Right at Home

Whether you are planning a trip abroad, across country, locally or fantasizing about a dream vacation; the Kenton County Public Library has your ticket to information. Begin your research with the library catalog. Browse your local branch library (Covington, Durr, and Erlanger) in the travel section beginning in the 900’s. Top travel guides are Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Rick Steves’, National Geographic Traveler, Insight Guides, Lonely Planet, and Let’s Go. Take a look at the magazine section at the library or the magazine database, Zinio for travel magazines such as National Geographic Traveler and Sierra. Or visit the Culturegrams database to learn about the culture, language and much more about countries all over the world. Need to learn the language to get by while traveling? Look in the 400’s on the library shelves or visit Mango, the language database. New travel websites to use: Trippy; Oyster; Hipmunk; Jetsetter; TripIt; Wanderfly; or Gogobot. Watch foreign movies or travel documentaries to visually travel. Get a flavor of the place you’ll be visiting, check out ethnic cookbooks like these: Staying at home? The library offers numerous programs for you to enjoy. Interested in local events? Check out Cincinnati.com or CityBeat for up-to-date local happenings. Here's a list of recommended travel reads available at the Kenton County Public Library. Finally, don’t forget to stock up on great reads while vacationing this summer through our e-book sources. Plan your whole trip with your Kenton County Public Library card and have a fun summer! Blog written by Erin DeSantis, Young Adult Librarian

By frilling|June 18th, 2013|Categories: Adults, at the library, childrens, Online Resources, Teens|Tags: ethnic cooking, free e-books, free language learning, free magazines, library catalog, library programs free, recommended travel reads|Comments Off

Teen Spaces at the Kenton County Public Library

The Kenton County Public Library has a dedicated Teen Space at each branch (Covington, Durr and Erlanger) and a Teen Librarian who supports young adult patrons through programs, reference and reader's advisory. The Teen Space at the Durr Branch in Independence The Teen Space at the Erlanger Branch The Covington Branch has been undergoing a renovation project which will be completed in the fall, but the new Young Adult space is finished and open to the public. It is in a prime location; at the corner of the building, surrounded by a wall of windows at the corner of 5th and Scott Blvd. The room is enclosed in glass so that programs can be held in the space for teens. Features of the new YA space: 40 seats (an increase from 8 seats in the old space) Lounge space with a gaming area 6 computers Increased shelf space A seperate graphic novel/manga room adjacent to the YA space Stop by the Covington Branch and check out the new YA Space! Blog written by Erin DeSantis, Young Adult Librarian

By frilling|June 25th, 2013|Categories: at the library, Teens|Tags: teen books, teen programs, teen space, YA, young adult books, young adult programs|Comments Off

Test Taking Skills

Whether you are an experienced test taker or a newbie, the Kenton County Public Library has how-to guides and test preparation resources available in a variety of formats: print, electronic, audio, and video. There are several publishers of great test guides: Barron's, Schaum's, Peterson's, Language Express, McGraw Hill's, Princeton Review, Kaplan and Dummies. Check out this resource list. The library subscribes to the Learning Express database which is accessible for a library card holder. All you have to do is register and you will be on your way to improving your test taking skills. This is an amazing resource with practice tests on everything from the GED to the ACT to the GRE and many others. You can take timed tests and start and stop when you need; it really helps get you in the right frame of mind for standardized tests. The database also includes software tutorials, occupation practice tests and U.S. Citzenship. If you need any help along the way, your local library reference desk is here to support you, please give us a call or stop by, we want to see you succeed! -post written by Erin DeSantis, Young Adult Librarian

By frilling|February 25th, 2014|Categories: Adults, At Home, at the library, Online Resources, Teens|Comments Off

Top 14 Teen Books of 2014!

It comes as no surprise the the DIVERGENT series made up the most checked out books of 2014! Following close behind was THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, then CATCHING FIRE and THE HUNGER GAMES. Another popular book was IF I STAY, which recently had a film adaptation. In fact, you might notice a trend: all of the books below have had movie adaptations or will have them soon! Even the HOLLOW CITY series is soon going to be in production. Want to re-read one of your favorites or catch up on the most-read YA books of 2014? Just click on the titles below to find a copy or put one on hold. '

By frilling|December 26th, 2014|Categories: teens, Teens, Uncategorized|Comments Off