The Boscars are a new book award created and managed by the Young Adult Advisory Council.  These are books nominated by teens and voted on by teens.  And the winner is...

Best Action Adventure

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Best Comedy/Humor

Freak Show by James St. James

Best Fantasy

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Best Historical Fiction

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Best Horror

Bonechiller by Graham McNamee

Best Non-Fiction

101 Things to Do Before You’re Old and Boring by Richard Horne

Best Romance

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Best Science Fiction

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Best Short Story Collection

Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Best Antagonist

Redd Heart from The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Best Female Character in a Leading Role

Magda from The Shape of Water by Anne Spollen

Best Male Character in a Leading Role

Dustfinger from Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Best Author Overall

Margaret Peterson Haddix

Best Cover

Tie

Savvy by Ingrid Law

AND

Lessons From a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles

Best New Author

Brian Falkner

Best Series

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Are you interested in being a teen volunteer at the Library? Have you wondered what it's like to be a teen volunteer? Wondered what types of volunteer jobs are available? Find out the answers to these questions and more at our teen volunteer information session on Saturday, April 18, 3-4 p.m. at the Oak Park Library. There's no registration required, so just show up and get your questions on volunteering answered.

Art is...
the struggle to understand. ~Audrey Foris
the triumph over chaos. ~John Cheever
your personal diary where you may color your thoughts and emotions on a page. ~Sara, Los Cerros Middle School, 1999
not a thing; it is a way. ~Elbert Hubbard
a kind of illness. ~Giacomo Puccini
when you hear a knocking from your soul - and you answer. ~Star Richés

What is art to you? Show us by participating in the Teen Art Spectacular this April at the Johnson County Library. We know that April is a busy time for you with last minute projects, tests and practicing doing nothing in preparation for summer. But we promise that participating in the Teen Art Spectacular will be easy and painless. All you need to do is submit one piece of original artwork by dropping it off at the Neighborhood Library nearest to you and we will show your work at the Teen Art Spectacular Reception at the Central Resource Library on Saturday, May 9 from 2-4 p.m. in the Carmack Community Room. Then attend the reception and vote on your favorite pieces of art. The top five people's choice winners will get a gift certificate to Michaels, Target, Vintage Stock, Hobby Lobby or Walmart, so bring your friends and have them vote for your work!

We accept all forms of art: painting, sketches, sculpture, textiles, graphic design, photography...any kind of art you can think of we will allow in the Art Spectacular Reception. Check out the Teen Art Spectacular Web page to print off a submission sheet and learn more about the event. We hope to see you and your art soon.

News: More information about the Reception.

News: Winners are Announced.

Teen Tech Week 2009 is on! Running from Sunday, March 8 to Saturday, March 14, Teen Tech Week encourages you to explore, play with and learn new technologies. Throughout the week, you can play Teen Tech Bingo online, with a chance to win some great prizes, and on March 14, you can come to the Oak Park Library from 7-10 p.m. for a teens-only Teen Tech Fest. We've got more information at www.jocoteenscene.org/teentech.

The future is now, so join in on Teen Tech Week!

The biggest game out there right now is Street Fighter IV for the PS3. If you are a fan of the old game, the new game or are looking forward to the release of the new movie you should come compete in the Library’s Street Fighter IV Tournament for the PS3. The tournament will be held in the Carmack Community Room of the Central Resource Library on Monday, March 16, 12-4 p.m.

Compete against other teens in Johnson County for the ultimate glory and prizes from GameStop in Olathe. There will be food, games and fun…all for free! So come check out the tournament. Don’t forget to register online so we can put you in the bracket and include your e-mail if you want an update closer to the event.

Registration begins Feb. 23. You can register online or by calling (913)495-2400. Street Fighter IV is rated T for Teen.

Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/people/shanewarne_60000.

The winners of this year's American Library Association book awards have been announced, and it's an exciting batch of books. Ready? Here we go...

Would you like to learn about other countries and cultures? And have fun doing it? Come to the World Village at the Central Resource Library! We'll explore a different country each month with stories, crafts, food, and dance. The program is free and open to all ages. The World Village will open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 8 p.m.; come and leave as you please.

Countries featured by month:

Jan. 15, 2009: Iraq
Feb. 19, 2009: Brazil
March 19, 2009: India
April 30, 2009: New Zealand
May 27, 2009: Japan

The Friends of the Johnson County Library Bookmark Design Contest is traditionally held each April during National Library week. We're doing things differently this year and holding it at the beginning of the year. Entry forms for the contest are available right now at at all Johnson County Library locations, the Friends of the Johnson County Library bookstores, or they can be downloaded online (PDF).

It's time to voice your opinion. Teenreads.com wants to know your favorite books of 2008. They already have a list from a variety of genres in nonfiction and fiction, from Science Fiction to Romance. Choose a book on the list or name one of your own titles on their Web site.

While you are there, check out their reviews of young adult books by librarians and teens!

On a recent cold Saturday night, the Oak Park Library was full of teens that faced off in gaming challenges. Teens organized their own Super Smash Brothers tournament and played competitively on Xbox games as well.

A RuneScape gamers' lounge was formed, and Johnson County teens gamed simultaneously with teens at the Kansas City Public Library. Oak Park teens joined the Knights of Mobius clan chat to discuss ideas for clan wars and RuneScape strategies.

One lucky teen went home with a three month RuneScape member’s subscription. Other teens won free books and a gift card to the Great Plains Mall.

Teens are already looking forward to the next after-hours event at the Oak Park Library. Stay tuned for more details about the Teen Tech lock-in to take place in Spring 2009!

Hey, Johnson County teens! Do you want to help library school students and librarians everywhere develop better library collections for teens? Then fill out this online survey on teen reading habits, perceptions and attitudes. It's anonymous and won't ask you for any personal information besides your age. We can't promise you anything but the warm satisfaction of helping some librarians out, but go ahead and take a few minutes to fill it out.

On Saturday, Dec. 27, the Johnson County Library is teaming up with GameStop to bring you another exciting gaming tournament. What games will we be playing? This time, the choice is yours! Go to www.jocoteenscene.org/gaming and vote for the Wii minigames you'd like to play. The top five choices will be the games played at the tournament. Then be at the Carmack Community Room of the Central Resource Library on Dec. 27, 12-4 p.m. and get in on the minigame tournament!

Registration begins Dec. 6. You can register online or call (913) 495-2400.

JoCoTeenScene is branching out into the Web again! We're now on Twitter, updating with links to our news items, new booklists, new poems, stories and more! If you have a Twitter account, you can get your JoCoTeenScene updates on your cell phone, not to mention through Twitter or a Twitter client, so go ahead and follow us! And the great thing about Twitter is you can also talk to us, give us feedback and ask us questions. The online conversation continues at twitter.com/jocoteenscene!

Over 150 teens and adults crammed into the Carmack Community Room of the Central Resource Library on Monday, Nov. 17 to join in the awesomeness of the premiere nerdfighters, Hank and John Green. They sang along with Hank as he performed his songs and listened to John read from his new book, Paper Towns. Fans, some in homemade nerdfighters T-shirts, bought books, CDs and more, lining up to get them signed and to talk to the Green brothers. The event went very well, and everyone had a blast.

Check out pictures from our nerdfighters night...

It is only days away from John and Hank's historic visit to the Johnson County Library, and it is going to be packed! In fact, the registration is full! Here is what you need to know to be prepared:

1. Note the location change. John and Hank will be at the Central Resource Library on Monday, Nov. 17 from 6-9 p.m. in the Carmack Community Room.
2. Bring your money! Books, T-shirts and CDs will be on sale. Get your nerdfighter memorabilia here!
3. Get an autograph. Bring or buy a book to be signed by John Green!
4. Doors open at 5 p.m., so get their early. There will be limited space and since everyone wants to be there, show up early to get a seat. Please don't hold seats for those who won't be there until later.

See you there and DFTBA!

The first, second and third place winners (as well as honorable mention) have been selected for the 2008 Teen Photo Content. This year's contest had the theme "Books With Bite: Show Us Your Inner Beast," and as you'll see, the photographers really went to town with this idea! This year, 145 photos were submitted, making the selection process difficult. As much as we would have liked to display every one, the size of the exhibit is limited.

You can see the photos at www.jocoteenscene.org/teenphoto or by visiting one of our libraries as the photos make a tour of the Johnson County Libraries. The photos will follow this schedule:

• Oct. 18–Nov. 8, 2008: Central Resource Library
• Nov. 15–Dec. 6, 2008: Antioch
• Dec. 13, 2008–Jan. 3, 2009: Cedar Roe
• Jan. 10–Jan. 31, 2009: Oak Park
• Feb. 7–Feb. 28, 2009: Lackman
• March 7–March 28, 2009: Blue Valley
• April 4–April 25, 2009: Gardner

The nerdfighters are coming to the Johnson County Library! Brothers John Green, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines, and Hank Green, founder of ecogeek, have teamed up as the vlogbrothers, and now they're taking their act on the road for the 2008 Great American Tour de Nerdfighters. This began as an experiment in using the internet to bring two long-distance siblings closer together. It's become something much larger, creating a whole community devoted to books, social activism and pride in being a nerd.

Congratulations to our winners from Blue Valley North High School. Ben, Taylor and Jackson created a video entitled "The Presidential Election" for our Participate in '08 Video Contest. Contestants were challenged to make a video three minutes in length, focused on one of four themes: voting early by mail, voting early in person, voter registration or the new polling locations for Johnson County residents. It took Ben, Taylor and Jackson about six hours to script, film and edit the video and their efforts won the trio a $1,000 scholarship provided by the Johnson County Election Office. Their video will also be available on demand through Time Warner Cable and will be played as a Public Service Announcement on their cable channels leading up to the election next month.

Did you know that once a year there is a week devoted to books for teens? It's called Teen Read Week and it is happening right now! There are many ways you can experience Teen Read Week. Here are just a few from the Johnson County Library...

The Library is throwing down! Will you accept the challenge? The Oak Park Library, in conjunction with YALSA and with support from World Wrestling Entertainment, is having a reading contest, and the winner gets a free trip to see Wrestlemania 25!

Here's what you do:

• Pick up an entry form at the Oak Park Library or print one off here (PDF).
• Read ten books, magazines and/or graphic novels between Oct. 13, 2008 and Jan. 12, 2009 and receive a free Wrestlemania Mini Poster.
• Design a bookmark on why reading is important and turn it in to the Library by Jan. 15, 2009 for a chance to win a free trip to see Wrestlemania 25.

This contest is open to anyone in grades 5-12. Winners will be announced in February, 2009. Are you ready? Come jump into the ring!

Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/people/slbige/.

Do you want to watch your favorite anime movies on the big screen? Catch Steamboy and Naruto the Movie 2: the Legend of the Stone Gelel at the Teen Anime Festival. But the festival will include more than just anime. There will also be a kendo demonstration, taiko drumming, calligraphy, candy sushi making and a manga drawing workshop. Come dressed as your favorite anime character (or just as yourself). The Teen Anime Festival will be at the Central Resource Library on October 18 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Register online or call (913) 495-2400.

Whether you’ll be 18 in November or not, would you like to get involved in the election process? Look no further than the Johnson County Library! The Library has partnered with the Johnson County Election Office to offer some exciting programs for this thrilling election season.

It’s Sunday night, the Library is closed, and you need help with your homework. What can you do? The Library Homework Help pages are here for you!

Your friendly Johnson County librarians have been working hard for months to improve our Homework Help pages. Not only do they look better, not only are they easier to use, but we’ve added subject guides featuring easy searches, recommended books, and librarian-selected Web sites and databases. You can also connect to HomeworkKansas, which provides live tutors online for K-12 students. You’ve got homework? We’ve got Homework Help!

The Library's latest gaming tournament was much more low-key than our part tournaments. The past two tournaments saw over one hundred teens attend. This time, we have just over thirty players in our Madden '09 tournament, with some friends and family cheering them on. But the play was just as intense, the stakes just as high. The doors opened at 1 p.m., and after over three hours of play, we had our two final players for the tournament Super Bowl. Because players had to stick with the teams they initially picked, we ended up with the Cleveland Browns playing the Cleveland Browns! In the end, Joseph Summers was the champion, with his opponent, Nathan Mennell, our second-place winner. Congratulations to the both of them, and thanks to everyone who participated!

You've now got an opportunity to vote on the games for our next tournament. This winter, the Library will have a Wii minigames tournament. You can vote for which minigames you'd like to have for the competition on our Gaming page.

Announcing the sixth annual Teen Photo Contest!

The 2008 Teen Read Week theme is "Books with Bite." Use your camera to show us your inner beast! Photos selected by our judges will be used to create a traveling display at our Neighborhood Libraries. Photos must be at least 5”x7”, color or B&W, and must not be mounted. All photos become property of Johnson County Library. Entry forms available at all library locations and online (PDF). For grades 6-12. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Bring your game or get schooled at the Johnson County Library and GameStop Madden NFL ’09 Tournament! Sixty-four teens from around the county will compete for the ultimate glory (and prizes!) on Saturday, September 6 from 1-4 p.m. in the Carmack Community Room of the Central Resource Library. Do you have it in you to be the next star? Find out by registering online here by September 6 at 10 a.m. Include your e-mail if you would like a reminder the week of the tournament. Equipment and prizes provided by GameStop.

The Antioch Neighborhood Library wasn’t a quiet place to study on Friday night as three local bands put on their Chuck Taylors, plugged in their amps and turned the knobs up to 11 for the annual Battle of the Bands.  The evening started off stuffed with as much pop and pizza as you could eat from Papa John’s!

The first to take the stage was the brave two man band, The Anagram.  The group played mostly covers of 90’s alterative hits, and got everyone swaying to Dave Mathew’s famous "Crash." 

Do you think of the library as a quiet place to sit and study or a stuffy building with lots of books? Well it won’t be on Friday, July 25, 7-10 p.m. when the Antioch Library will be packed for the annual Johnson County Library Battle of the Bands!

Come hungry, because the library is providing free pizza and pop as well as prize drawings for the audience. So put on your Chuck Taylors, grab your favorite band T-shirt and come see teen bands from around Johnson County compete for the title of Champion!

Are you an up and coming actor, singer, stage and lighting designer, musician or director? Have you always thought about joining in the school play but haven’t yet? If so, come see selections from Theatre in the Park’s performance of the Broadway musical Titanic at the Central Resource Library on Thursday, July 17th.  The cast will perform twice, at 7 and 8 p.m., with 40 minutes of music and theater and a 20-minute question and answer session. Find out how the production is put together and talk with cast and crew about their jobs. Enjoy a short show and find out what theater is all about!

It’s that time of the year again! Battle of the Bands is coming to the Johnson County Library and it is just for teens. We are looking for teen bands that know how to rock to participate in the concert. All types of music are welcome, even solo acts. We provide the sound system, the stage and the fans, you bring the music! So put on your concert clothes, tune your guitar and get ready to rock at the Library!

With the Sizzlin' Summer Booksale, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, in full swing, it's a good time to announce the winners of the Friends of the Library's annual Bookmark Contest.

And the winners are:
 
Preschool-Kdg: Adit Agarwal
Grades 1-2: John Maddock
Grades 1-2: Julia Slack
Grades 3-4: Anna Clements
Grades 3-4: Riya Rana
Grades 3-4: Erika Lobo
Grades 5-6: Betsy Cha
Grades 7-8: Thamara Subramanian
Grades 9 -12: Marissa Bortz
Adult: Andrea Thomas

The winners were given their awards on June 4 at the Antioch Library Summer Reading Kickoff Program. The winning bookmarks can be seen at www.jocolibrary.org/bookmarks. You can also get your own copies of the winning bookmarks at any Library location.

The Johnson County Library has moved beyond its own Web site, out into the wilds of the social Internet! The Library and JoCoTeenScene now have a MySpace page and a Facebook fan page. If you're on either or both of those sites, friend us and follow us. You'll receive updates and invitations to upcoming Library events, and there are write-ups of past Library events, photographs and more. You can leave us comments (please do, we love to hear from you!) and connect with other Library fans. The Library also posts videos on YouTube, including the winners of our Teen Video Contest, so follow us there, too. You can keep tabs on all of our social networking on our Blogs & Social Sites page.

Where else on the Web will the Library be in the future? Only time will tell!

It's that time again! Summer Reading 2008 begins on Tuesday, May 27 and ends on Aug. 2. Our theme this year is "Blow Your Mind--Metamorphosis @ Your Library," and we have some fantastic things planned for the summer. Our hub for all things Summer Reading is http://www.jocolibrary.org/summerreading, but you can find our Summer Reading resources for teens right here on this site. We've got book and Web site recommendations for you, and there's more on the way. You can pick up your reading log at any Library location or download it from our Summer Reading page and print it out. You can start turning your reading logs in on Monday, July 14.

Get in on our Summer Reading fun, and keep your eyes open for more news and features.

The audience felt chills run up their spines listening to author Gail Giles last Friday at the Blue Valley Library. Giles spoke enthusiastically of her visit to Kansas, a new state for the Texas native, and how libraries impacted her life. “I would be a very different person today, if not for a certain librarian,” she said as she explained the influence libraries had on her life.

Our first Teen Video Contest is over, and we're very happy with the results. The submissions we got were amazing, and choosing a first-place, second-place and third-place winner was difficult. But a choice had to be made, and here are the results:

First place: The Maltese Falcon by the Tiger TV students at Blue Valley High School.

Second place: The Pentalon by Bill Ullery.

Third place: The Mystery of the Golden Cat by Ben Chipman and Adam Brumback.

You can see the winning videos on our Teen Video Contest page and on YouTube.

Do you think you know what's really going on in your life? Are you sure? Read a novel by Gail Giles and you may find yourself beginning to think things aren't exactly what they appear to be. Her suspenseful stories, with dizzying plot twists, have gotten rave reviews, impressing both teens and adults.

Gail Giles will be appearing at the Blue Valley Library at 7 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2008, where she will be speaking about her books and her writing process. Here's your chance to ask her how she wrote Dead Girls Don't Write Letters, Shattering Glass, What Happened to Cass McBride? and her other thrilling stories. There will also be a book signing, with copies of her books available for purchase.

She will also appear on the Specialty Author Stage at the Kansas City Literary Festival on Saturday, May 17.

Two hundred fashion-forward teens, children and adults filled the Central Resource Library on Saturday night for our first ever Alternative Teen Fashion Show! Eight teen designers and countless models showed their talents in a variety of materials. Teens created over ten original designs from alternative materials like duct tape, aluminum foil, plastic bags, candy wrappers and, of course, books!

The Teen Alternative Fashion Show is coming up on Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., at the Central Resource Library. In anticipation of the show, we're profiling some of the other teen designers who will be contributing to the show.

On Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008, at 7 p.m., the Central Resource Library will host an Alternative Fashion Show. Four talented local teen designers will show off their clothing designs created using only alternative materials. We'll also feature fashions from Revue and Lulu's, music and more!

The Big Read has returned to the Library, celebrating Dashiell Hammett's classic hardboiled detective novel, The Maltese Falcon. It kicks off tonight, Apr. 3, with "Mystery Mayhem," a reception featuring food, fun and an original theatrical performance based on The Maltese Falcon (but with a local twist). The reception will be at the Central Resource Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and no registration is required.

It's time again for our annual Bookmark Contest, co-sponsored by the Johnson County Library and the Friends of the Library. Grab an entry form and design your own bookmark in the space provided, using colored pencils, pens, paints or markers. Show how your family comes together at the library, or what you like about the library or how the Library is your friend.

Entry forms are available beginning Apr. 1, 2008 at all Johnson County Library locations, the Friends of the Johnson County Library bookstores, or they can be downloaded online (PDF).

The teens have spoken!
 
At the Oak Park Library's "Taste Test" program on Monday, Mar. 24, eleven teens ate, discussed and voted for their favorite food products in six categories. Here are the winners:

Soda: Coke vs. Pepsi - Coke wins!

Pizza: Pizza Hut vs. Papa Johns - Pizza Hut wins!

Hot Wings: Pizza Hut vs. Papa Johns - Papa Johns wins!

Popcorn: HyVee butter vs. Orville Redenbacher butter - HyVee wins!

Peanut Butter: Skippy vs. Peter Pan - Peter Pan wins!

Ice Cream: Blue Bunny vanilla vs. Edy's vanilla - Edy's wins!

Which brands do you think taste best?

On Friday, Mar. 21, 2008, the Johnson County Library and GameStop had another teen gaming tournament, and it was fantastic! Along with an all-day open gaming event that started at 10 a.m., we had a great turn-out and a really exciting time.

If you're planning on submitting your own film noir video to our Teen Video Contest, there's one week left to get your entry in. This is part of The Big Read and Teen Tech Week, and winners will receive $100 for first place and $50 for second and third place, plus other prizes.

Check out the Teen Video Contest page for more information.

Friday evening began with pizza and a murder at the Mystery Teen Lock-In. Teen detectives hunted down the cold-blooded killer of Jessica Love Pruitt, a famous actress filming a movie at the Library. Teams of teens questioned staff and volunteers, looking for clues to Jessica’s unfortunate demise at the Library book sale. Persistence paid off when the first team to correctly solve the crime won free advance copies of unpublished books! After the murder was solved, teens could enjoy cookies while playing Wii and X-Box games. Music and YouTube videos were shared before the Library doors were unlocked, and everyone was sad to go.

If you're a fan of Stephenie Meyer, author of The Host and the Twilight series, you'll want to see her at Unity Temple on The Plaza on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7 p.m. Rainy Day Books is sponsoring the event, and you can get more information from their Web site. There are only 1,000 admission packages, so you'll want to get in on this quickly!

Well gang, it looks like we've got another mystery on our hands, and no one's leaving until it's solved! On Friday, Mar. 16, 2008, kick off Spring Break with a mystery-themed Library Lock-In. From 7-9 p.m., hang out at the Central Resource Library and solve a murder mystery or play some video, board and live-action games. Pizza and fizzy drinks will be available to fuel your detective work. Register online or call 913-495-2490.

You bring it! On Friday, Mar. 21, 2008, the Central Resource Library and GameStop will host a Super Smash Bros. Brawl gaming tournament for teens, ages 12-18. There are only 64 slots available, and registration begins Saturday, Mar. 1, 2008, so hurry up and get your name in! We'll have four-person matches, with GameStop giving out prizes for the winner and giveaways for everyone. Check in for the tournament begins at 1:30 p.m. You can register online or by calling 495-2400. Please include your e-mail address if you would like a reminder.

But that's not all...

There's a mystery in the Library, and we need your help to solve it!

This year's selection for The Big Read is Dashiell Hammett's classic hardboiled mystery, The Maltese Falcon, which was made into a famous film noir movie. As part of The Big Read and Teen Tech Week, the Library is holding a film noir contest. We're inviting teens to create a short film in the noir style. Winners will receive $100 for first place and $50 for second and third place, plus other prizes. If you're an aspiring film maker or actor, here's your chance to be a star! Submissions will be accepted March 1-31, 2008. For more information on the contest, and for more film noir inspiration, check out our Video Contest page.

The Guitar Hero III tournament on Friday, December 28 was a huge success. Even with an early morning snowfall, we had over one hundred people show up to play, to watch, to just bask in the gaming goodness of Guitar Hero III. After hours of Guitar Hero play, the Library and GameStop awarded gift cards prizes to the three winners.

The Johnson County Library Guitar Hero III tournament, sponsored by GameStop, is on!

 Want to know how the tournament is going? We're reporting and updating this site as the tournament goes on. Click to read the full story to see our updates.

On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007, Johnson County Library's own Tricia Suellentrop, Youth Services Manager, appeared with one of the Library's Collection Development Specialists, Debbie McLeod, on the show Up to Date on 89.3 FM, KCUR. Tricia presented her picks of great teen books of 2007, while Debbie discussed her top children's books of the year.

You may have missed the program when it aired live, but you can listen to Tricia and Debbie in the show's archives. We've also put Tricia's picks up here on JoCoTeenScene, so if you're looking for something new to read, check out Tricia's list!

Have you registered for the Library's Guitar Hero III tournament? If you haven't, you've still got time. The tournament will be held at the Central Resource Library on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, and will start at 1 p.m. The tournament is sponsored by GameStop, who is supplying prizes for the winners and giveaways for everyone who participates.

You can register online or by calling 495-2400. Please include your email address if you would like a reminder.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuellame/.

The Johnson County Library teen literary arts magazine, elementia, returns for a fifth issue, full of the same beauty and creativity you've seen in the past. A release party at the Central Resource Library kicks everything off. Teens and adults are all invited to attend the party, to hear elementia contributors read their works. The release party will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 and begins at 7 p.m. Attendance is free, and no registration is required.

Do you have the chops to be a guitar hero? Jump up on stage and show us what you've got! The Library will hold a gaming tournament on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007 starting at 1 p.m. We'll be playing Guitar Hero III on the PlayStation 2, with prizes for the top players supplied by the tournament's sponsor, GameStop. GameStop will also be supplying giveaways for everyone who participates, so whether you're a Guitar Hero veteran or a newbie, you'll leave with something good. And you'll have a great time!

You can register online or by calling 495-2400. Please include your email address if you would like a reminder.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuellame/.

The first, second and third prizes have been awarded for the 2007 Teen Photo Contest, with the theme "LOL!". Come see the winning photographs and meet the artists at a reception on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007. The reception will held at the Central Resource Library at 1 p.m. and kicks off the Library tour, with the winning photos going on display at each of our Neighborhood Libraries. Come to support teen artists, get inspired or just to have a laugh!

The Library's Rare Conversations series brings Richard Jennings, author of books for children and teens, to an online discussion on Friday, Sept. 20, 2007, 12-1 p.m. Richard Jennings is the author of the critically-acclaimed Orwell's Luck, The Great Whale of Kansas, My Life of Crime, Mystery in Mt. Mole, Scribble, Stink City and Ferret Island. Mr. Jennings has been awarded fellowships from the Kansas Arts Commission, and is the first novelist for young people to win the William Rockhill Nelson award for fiction.

Rare Conversations gives you the unique opportunity of engaging in a free-flowing conversation with an author. Just log in to our online conference room and join in the discussion. For more information on Rare Conversations, check the Web page for online classes and events.

Video games are coming to the Johnson County Library! Starting Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, the Library will have video games for Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii available in the catalog to be put on hold. The video games will actually arrive on Sept. 19, 2007, and will be located at the Lackman Library. Every game will also have a Browsing copy which cannot be put on hold in the catalog. The holdable games will check out for three weeks and can be renewed (as long as nobody else has a hold on them), while the Browsing copies will check out for two weeks and cannot be renewed. Some of the games the Library will have include Dance Dance Revolution Universe, Guitar Hero, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Blue Dragon. Looking for a new game to play? Come down to the Library and check one out!

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/samuellame/.

Constitution Day is Sept. 17, 2007. You can celebrate by entering a contest and showing how the Constitution affects you. Use colored pencils, markers, crayons, or paints to design a handmade poster showing how you and your family benefit from the U.S. Constitution (including the Bill of Rights and the other amendments). Any youth K-12 is welcome to participate.

The local poster contest winner gets a gift certificate valued at $125 for an 8-week art class offered by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. It will be awarded to a winner from the Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

Entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2007. Winners will be announced on Election Day, Nov. 6, 2007. Learn more about the contest and Constitution Day or go straight to the entry form (PDF).

Kelly Buntin Johnson will be this year's Artist-in-Residence. She will create an endangered species "intercessor" at the Central Resource Library during the month of September. For details on her time at the Library and more information on endangered animals, visit www.jocolibrary.org/visitingartist.

What makes you laugh or smile? Use your camera to show us in the 5th Annual Teen Photo Contest. Photos selected by our judges will be used to create a traveling display at Johnson County Library locations. Photos must be at least 5”x7”, color or B&W, and must not be mounted. All photos become property of Johnson County Library. For grades 6-12.

Registration form (PDF). Registration forms are also available at all Johnson County Library locations.

If you get stumped on your homework this year, keep the Johnson County Library in mind. Our Homework Help coaches can help you find resources for your papers, ideas for science fair projects and work through a few math problems. School is hard enough - let us help make it a little easier. For more information, visit www.jocolibrary.org/homework.

Like patches of green grass in the desert, inspiration often springs from unlikely places. The rareness--extraordinary moments unforseen--of life often serves as a catalyst for great reflection and thought.

As part of Rare Conversations: An Evening with Authors, the Johnson County Library Foundation is accepting written submissions that delight in the rare and unique aspects of life. Maybe it’s a particular moment...person...quote...or idea...What is rare in your world?

Applications (PDF) will be accepted until Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. This writing contest is open to those 15-22.

Photo courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clouddinner/

Join us at the Antioch Neighborhood Library on Friday, July 27, 2007; 7 p.m. for Battle of the Bands. Get the chance to see local bands before they get rich and famous! This program is for teens only! Visit the Battle of the Bands Web page for details.

Learn how to make handmade soap and bath salts at the Corinth Neighborhood Library on Tuesday, July 24, 2007; 2-4 p.m. We'll provide all the tools and supplies, you provide the creativity! Keep the stuff you make for yourself or give them as a gift. This program is part of KC Science, Inc. and is open to ages 12-18.

Are you looking for some volunteer experience? We're looking for teens who would enjoy doing such things as reading aloud to children, updating booklists and helping us maintain our collection and create interesting displays. If this sounds like you, stop by the Youth Services department at Corinth Neighborhood Library for more information. For details on how you can volunteer at any Johnson County Library location, visit the Volunteer Opportunities Web page.

Thursday, July 26, 2007; 2:30-3:30 is your chance to screen for fingerprints, check for DNA residue and detect "blood" splatter. There will also be a microscope to take an up-close look at hair, fingernails and cloth fibers. Cool, huh? This program is part of KC Science, Inc. and will be held at Oak Park Neighborhood Library. For ages 10 and up.

Battle your friends for wealth, power and prizes at the Central Resource Library on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007; 1:30-3:30! Refreshments will be provided. The tournament is open to grades 6-12.

Photo courtesy: http://flickr.com/photos/kevinl8888/

Do you need a quite, comfortable place to work on your creative writing? Visit the Central Resource Library on Saturday, July 21 and August 18, 2007; 12:30-1:30 p.m. for time to write and get feedback. Participants are encouraged to bring drafts for a constructive response on all genres. This writing session is open to grades 8-12.

Photo courtesy: http://flickr.com/photos/kimberlyann/

Is your locker lacking style? Come to the Cedar Roe Neighborhood Library on Saturday, July 28, 2007; 2-3 p.m. to make a magnetic picture frame and a jeweled magnet for your new locker. Registration begins Saturday, July 14, 2007. You can register by calling (913) 384-8590. This program is for ages 11 and up.

elementia is a literary teen zine published to represent and uplift young creative, sublime young adults. Entries for elementia 5 will be accepted through Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007. For more information, visit the elementia Web page or send an e-mail to dewa@jocolibrary.org.

Solve the mystery this summer at the Johnson County Library! If you’ve just finished 5th grade or above, join the "You Never Know" Summer Reading Club for Teens. Visit the Summer Reading Web page to download your reading log and learn more about the great prize drawings held this summer.

Think you're the best in Johnson County at the Xbox game Need for Speed: Most Wanted? Now's your chance to prove it. Register for one of the qualifying tournaments at Shawnee, Antioch, Lackman, or Central Resource Libraries and win your way to the championship tournament at the Central Resource Library on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. The grand champion will receive an iPod Nano with all other winners and placers receiving smaller prizes. Registration begins on Sunday, June 4, 2007. Please call (913) 495-2400 to register. This program is open to those ages 12-18. For more information, visit the Gaming Web page.

Photo courtesy of http://flickr.com/photos/quack712/

Join Helen & Sarah for an online discussion of The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler on Friday, June 22, 2007 at 7 p.m. For more information on how to participate in the discussion, visit the Events Online Web page.

Type smart. Post wisely. The Web site 2 SMRT 4U provides tips on keeping yourself safe while having fun online. The site also features IM icons, wallpapers, stickers to download.

If you want to learn to play chess or have been playing for years, then visit the Blue Valley Neighborhood Library for beginner, intermediate and advanced chess programs. Program dates and times are listed online on the Library's calendar.

Want to help plan library programs and activities, meet new friends and eat pizza at the same time? Then please join us at a YAAC meeting!

They are held at the Central Resource Library on the third Saturday of each month, at 12:30 p.m. and at Gardner Neighborhood Library on the third Wednesday of the month, at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit the YAAC Web page.

Do you duel? Bring your friends and your cards to the Gardner Neighborhood Library on the second Monday of each month. Players of all experience levels welcome. Ages 7-18. No registration necessary.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/mesh/

Saturday, May 5, 2007 is this year's Free Comic Book day! Comic book shops across North America and around the world will give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores. Visit www.freecomicbookday.com/ to find a participating comic bookstore near you!

Join us on Sunday, May 5, 2007; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Blue Valley Neighborhood Library for our second annual fun-filled event for the entire family as we celebrate and learn more about Asian culture. There will be music, dance, stories and other activities. For more information, visit www.jocolibrary.org/bigread.

On Monday, May 14, 2007 at 7 p.m., the title Siberia by Ann Hamlan will be discussed at the Lackman Neighborhood Library. For more information, visit the Gryphons & Dragons blog.

Join us at the Central Resource Library on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. to make your own chocolate candy just in time for Mother's Day. Whether you prefer dark chocolate, milk chocolate or white chocolate, you can create the perfect candy treat for yourself or someone special. This program is open to those grades 6-12.

The Library hosts gaming programs and tournaments at various Library locations. Check the gaming Web page for details.