June 17th: 1st day to Get Prizes!

We've been accumulating coupons, make packs, and hoping that you all come into the library to pick up your prizes! Starting Monday, June 17th at 9 AM  you can stop in the library and pick up prizes for summer reading!

Here are the prizes for the teen summer reading program:

When you read 200 minutes, you earn a pack of coupons! This year we have 15 coupons for you, including the State Fair, Brewers and Bucks tickets, as well as pizza, subs and milkshakes! 

When you read 2000 minutes, you get to pick out a free book! We'll have a box of teen (and tween) favorites for you to pick from!

Every 100 minutes read from 100-1000 minutes earns you an entry into our prize drawing for a set of books. We will have at least 4 winners, more if we have a lot of readers!

Every 100 minutes from 1100-2000 minutes read will earn you an entry into our gift card drawing! You have a chance to win one of 4 $25 gift cards for things like, books, entertainment or just general stuff!

Earn up to 5 extra gift card drawing entries by writing book reviews! Every 2 short book reviews you write earns you an extra entry!

We'll be handing out prizes until August 30th, so you have all summer to read and redeem these prizes! Supplies of some coupons are limited, so make sure you stop in the library as soon as you can to get those prizes!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Friday Fun: Friday June 14th

It's time for the first Friday Fun of the Summer!

Friday Fun is our monthly teens only program where you get to hang out at the library! We have games, including our Nintendo Switch as well as some board games, coloring sheets and snacks. All you do is show up!

Friday Fun is ONLY for students going into grades 6-12, and will be in the library constitution room from 3:30-5:30 PM. This is a drop in program, so you don't have to be on time, or stay for the whole time!

That's June 14th, 3:30-5:30 PM, Library Constitution Room, for students going into grades 6-12!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Summer Reading @ Free Lunch Sites

Summer Reading sign up is still on @ the library! You can stop in anytime and sign up for our teen, children's or adult reading program. If you can't easily get to the library, why not check out one of our outreach sites?

This year, we are heading out to all of the free lunch sites in West Allis to sign people up for the summer reading programs!  From June 10-14 we will be at the following sites to sign people up. Then, we'll be back in late July or early August for you to collect your prizes!

Here are the dates and times:

• Franklin Field House, Monday June 10th 12-1 PM
• Irving Field House, Tuesday June 11th, 12-1 PM
• Liberty Heights Park, Tuesday June 11th 3:30-4:30 PM
• Longfellow, June 12th, 12-1 PM
• Mitchell, Tuesday June 13th 12-1 PM
• West Milwaukee Park, Thursday June 13th 3:30-4:30 PM
• West Milwaukee Intermediate Friday June 14th, 12-1 PM

I'll see you @ the free lunch sites!

Katie

PS- If you've already registered for Summer Reading, stop by and get a free Popsicle or ice pop! 

Summer Reading 2019: June 1-August 30!

Are you Summer Reading yet? Summer Reading is just like regular reading except that you can enter to win prizes, earn coupons and get rewarded for reading!

You can sign up on line over at: westallislibrary.beanstack.org or in the library.

Here are the Teen Summer Reading Basics:

1. Count the time you spend reading, starting June 1st.
2. Either fill out the paper reading log you can get at the library, or on line.
3. Ever 100 minutes you read earns you an entry into the grand prize drawing!
4. At 200 minutes read, you get a packet of coupons, including a ticket for the Wisconsin State Fair!
5. Prizes will be available starting June 17th-August 30th.
6. Earn extra entries into the grand prize drawing by writing book reviews!

Reminder, teens are those readers going into grades 6-12, and if you are a bit younger or a bit older we have programs this summer for readers of all ages!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Summer Reading: Kick Off, June 1 3-5 PM

It's time for Summer Reading! June 1st is the official first day of summer reading. You can stop in the library, sign up for the reading program anytime starting June 1st.

However, if you really want an out of this world experience, stop by the Kick-Off starting at 3 PM in the Constitution Room. We'll have all kinds of activities, crafts and even a chance to win some gift cards!

If you already registered at your school, we'll have the paper for you to track. Of course you can always track online if you wish!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Teen Mental Health Event: May 30th, 4-5 PM

Are finals and all of the end of year activities just building up on you? Would you like to learn about some stress and anxiety busting ideas? Are you just in need of an hour to just hang out?

Then join us for a Mental Health Break! This Teens Only event is part of the #stopthestigma May Mental Health Awareness events. You come to the library, hang out and make some cool things to help you reduce stress.

We'll have the stuff to make relaxing galaxy jars, soothing bath bombs, create mandala or mind maps, and list out strategies you can use when things get overwhelming. We'll have some stress busting snacks as well.

This event is for students in grades 6-12 only, and will run from 4-5 PM in the Library Constitution Room on May 30th.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Library Closed: Memorial Day Weekend

Just a reminder that the library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day Weekend. We will close at 6 PM on Friday May 24th, and reopen next on Tuesday May 28th at 12 PM.

Enjoy your weekend!
Katie

Random Fandom: Fortnite May 23rd 6:30 PM

Get out your loot llama and break your best floss. It's time to celebrate the game Fortnite @ the library! We have a few amazing activities based on the popular game Fortnite. No we won't be playing Fortnite, but rather bringing some elements of the game into the real world.

Show off your celebration dance skills with our dance contest. Build the ultimate structure, and protect it from enemy teams. And yes there will be a loot llama.

Like all Random Fandom events, this one is for students in grades 4-12 only, and runs from 6:30-8 PM.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Mental Health Reads:

Even though the community talk back is over, it's still Mental Health Awareness month, and you are still invited to read It's Kind of a Funny Story. If you are wondering what to read next, here are a couple of suggestions:

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it is their next-door neighbor, Sohrab, who changes his life.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour
As Caitlin struggles to cope with her best friend Ingrid's suicide, she turns inward and quiet, but finding Ingrid's hidden journal, a new classmate, and new projects help Caitlin find a way to reach out again.

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Cory Whaley
Agoraphobic sixteen-year-old Solomon has not left his house in three years, but Lisa is determined to change that-- and to write a scholarship-winning essay based on the results.

(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation on Mental Health, various authors 
Non-fiction: 616.89 D71
33 authors, as well as some other well known people, give us a glimpse in to life with Mental Health struggles. From personal experiences to more informational sections, many mental health topics are covered.

If you are still looking for more titles on Mental Health, here is a list from Penguin Teen:
http://www.penguinteen.com/10-books-to-read-during-mental-health-awareness-month/

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Community Reads: May 18th, 10 AM

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our Community Conversation about the book It's Kind of a Funny Story. Whether you read the book, saw the movie, or just want to be part of the discussion, please join us.

This event will be on May 18th at 10 AM in the City Hall Art Gallery. Here is the link to the event with the address, https://www.westalliswi.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=6279

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie