Summer Reading Video Contest

You can win cash for yourself and your library! The 2012 teen Summer Reading theme is “Own the Night”. Create a 30 to 90-second video promoting the library’s Summer Reading program and portraying this theme and submit it for a chance to win $275 for yourself and $150 for your library. For details, visit the Collaborative Summer Library Program site, or the State Library of Iowa site. One winner will be selected from each participating state. The deadline is March 5! Need a little inspiration to get started? Check out last year’s teen video challenge winners.

Pool Party!

We greatly appreciate all of our teen volunteers who are such a big help throughout the Summer Reading Program. We are also very glad the rain stopped for a little while last Friday so that we could still have our pool party at Birdland pool! Thanks to all our volunteers who helped eat the pizza and ice cream and enjoyed the pool. Check out these pictures from the 2011 teen volunteer pool party!

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Three Weeks Left!

The summer is flying by, but you still have time to experience henna, Mexican cooking, tie-dye, and paper beads! Space is limited so you must preregister. Visit DMPL’s events calendar to see what’s coming up at your branch and sign up!

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And don’t forget to finish your 15 hours of reading to collect prizes and enter to win a Flip video camera!

Pictures from the Harry and the Potters Concert

Thank you to all the teens (and parents) who attended the wizard rock concert last night. We had an excellent time, which can be observed in the pictures. If you would like to know more about upcoming programs subscribe to our blog on the right side of the page just below DMPL’s logo or friend us on Facebook.

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REMINDER: Get Prizes for Reading!

Have you signed up for the Summer Reading Program yet?  Head to any Des Moines Public Library this summer and sign up to earn cool prizes for reading, such as:

• Flying Disc
• Water Bottle
• Iowa Cubs Tickets
• Coupons to Local Businesses
• Paperback Book

Plus, if you read for 15 hours we will enter you into our Grand Prize Drawing to win a Flip Camera!

The program goes from June 6 – July 30.  Make sure to also check out our summer activities on our Teen Summer Reading Web Site.

Author Jan Blazanin at Central Library Tonight

Waukee resident, Jan Blazanin, will discuss her new teen novel, A & L Do Summer. In Iowa farm country, sixteen-year-old Aspen and her friend Laurel plan to get noticed the summer before their senior year and are unwittingly aided by pig triplets, a skunk, a chicken, bullies, a rookie policeman, and potential boyfriends.

• Location: 1000 Grand Ave.
• Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011
• Start Time: 6:30 PM

Summer Reading 2011

Check out DMPL’s great webpage for this year’s summer reading program. Here you can find information about signing up, earning prizes, volunteering, and see what exciting events we have planned at all six DMPL locations. The fun begins Monday, June 6!

“You Are Here” Summer Reading Video

This summer our teen reading theme is “You Are Here.” Earlier in the year, teens were encouraged to make a video promoting the theme and summer reading. Natalie M. from the Elgin Public Library created Iowa’s winning entry. If you would like to see some of the entries from other states, click here. Congratulations Natalie, watching your video makes me dream about summer vacation and traveling to far off destinations!