"I'm Looking for a History Book..."

It's that time of the year when you, Schenley High School students, are asked to read a book featuring American history. You can read fiction or non-fiction, and you can read about any aspect of American history you choose. There are just two considerations to make when choosing your book:

1. it has to be 150 pages


2. ideally, it's going to be about something you're interested in!

Sound like a difficult assignment? When hundreds of your classmates are all searching for the same thing, it definitely can be. Thankfully, we offer a few ways to uncover the books that will be fun and informative.


Non-fiction

You can find many books on history through our LibraryThing catalog, where we've been inputting new books for the last year and a half (please make sure you click on the link to our suggested style). Through a few searches, you'll get a good feel for what we have available. Searches such as American history, United States history, and US History will give you a good idea of what's available, though if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, try a search for just plain history, where you might find a book that's slipped through the cracks (you might also want to take a look at often-overlooked memoirs). If you find a book you like, click on the link that says, "Find this in the catalog!" That will tell you what libraries have it, and whether you should expect to see it on the shelves.

If you're looking to expand your selection, you can browse around our catalog for all subjects starting with United States -- History. This will connect you to the whole gamut of literature the library has to offer (from the most academic to the very basic) and help you focus on a specific time period.


Fiction

Searching our LibraryThing catalog for historical will show you the latest fiction taking place in history (though keep in mind they aren't limited to America). We also offer a service called Novelist, which is one of the best tools available for you to search out fiction.

Browsing through historical fiction is as easy as checking the box marked "Teens" and searching for "historical fiction."



Since that includes historical fiction from all over the world, you might want to try a couple of other searches, including "historical fiction and america" or "historical fiction and united states." However, to get the full range of what Novelist offers, try searching for historical fiction and a specific event.



Other libraries may have already done the work for you, including great suggestions from the Plymouth District Library, the Beaverton City Library, and the Madison Public Library.

All that's left is going back to our catalog and making sure we have the book you're looking for.

150 Pages?

When you are looking at an item in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's online catalog, pay careful attention. You'll be able to see how many pages the book contains, so that you don't waste time searching for anything less than your minimum. For example, the record for Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, you'll notice that's 309 pages full of Vietnam War fiction.



When you're searching Novelist, you can use the "Advanced Search" link to only search for books that will meet your requirements.



Good luck, Schenley, and happy searching. Remember, you can always stop by the library and get help from any of our librarians.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Free Comic Book Day

"Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores."

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From manga to horror, superhero comics to those wacky teens from Riverdale, Free Comic Book Day has what you need! What a great way to get into comics, or -- if you've fallen off the wagon -- what a great time to get back in the habit! Check out these local comic shops this Saturday to see what it's all about:

Phantom of the Attic @ 406 South Craig St. in Oakland. Open 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

The Copacetic Comics Company @ 1505 Asbury Pl. in Sq. Hill. Open 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday.

Eide's Entertainment @ 1121 Penn Avenue, Downtown. Open 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday.

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And remember, comics are always free at the library! We've got thousands of graphic novels, manga and zines to choose from. Stop by the teen desk and we'll recommend something great.

- Corey W.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

But what exactly do you do?

I get this question quite often as a librarian, so I thought I'd share some of my activities from today.

1. Created weekly schedules for the staff.
2. Tried to problem-solve existing scheduling glitches.
3. Helped someone who was doing a research project on Muhammad's views regarding violence.
4. Added tags to previous blog entries, since I always forget to do so when posting.
5. Looked at the bestselling teen fiction books at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and crossreferenced titles with our catalog, to be sure we have them at the library.
6. Shelved manga and graphic novels like Genshiken and Persepolis.
7. Helped the Tell-a-tale Theater teens suprise Karen with a birthday cake.
8. Sent emails regarding Teen Summer Reading visits to local Pittsburgh Schools.
9. Worked on the schedule again.
10. Discussed volunteering with an interested teen.
11. Read reviews of upcoming teen fiction books, to decide which to buy for the Teen collection.
12. Renewed computer time for teens... a lot.
13. Set up paint and supplies for a teen who wanted to paint our meeting room doors.
14. Worked with teens to help get their library cards renewed.
15. Did I mention scheduling?

It's Saturday, so it's a slow day. :) See you at the library!

Holly

Happy Day of Silence 2008!

When it comes to silence, you might think the library has the market cornered. But for every "Shh!" from a mean librarian is a middle or high schooler who doesn't feel like they can express who they are because they don't want to be harassed about their sexuality or gender.

That's why GLSEN is now promoting the Day of Silence, an opportunity for teens to work together to create a silence that is impossible to ignore (for more info, visit the Day of Silence webpage). This year's Day of Silence was today, April 25th.

In honor of the Day of Silence, I'd like to share with you some of the books featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, allied, and altogether awesome characters that I'd read recently.

Touching Snow, by M. Sindy Felin
When Karina's brutal stepfather almost beats her half-sister to death, Karina needs to make a choice between what's easy and what's right.



Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend, by Carrie Jones
Belle and Dylan were the perfect couple. But one night, Dylan utters the words Belle never expected to hear: "I'm gay." Now Belle gives herself seven days to redefine what love means and move on with her life.



Tale of Two Summers, by Brian Sloan
Hal and Chuck are best friends who've never been apart--that is, until Chuck gets into a prestigious summer theater camp at a university on the other side of Maryland. How will Hal and Chuck pass the time? By discovering sex, love, and friendship in unexpected places--and blogging about it all.



Parrotfish, by Ellen Wittlinger
This funny and heartwarming book features Grady, a transgender teen who navigates family, friends, and budding romance upon coming out.



Happy Day of Silence!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

CLP Librarians heart blogs

A very ambitious group of Adult Librarians at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main have collaborated to create a fun and informative blog called Eleventh Stack. Here you can learn about everything from alternative forms of transportation to Life on Mars to Blogging for Equality. This blog is updated daily, so be sure to check in often!

Another very ambitious group of librarians - this time Teen Librarians from across the entire city - have collaborated to create yet another fun and informative blog called CLPTeensburgh. Interested in library programs for teens at neighborhood locations like the Hill District? Or would you like to read a good book review? Perhaps you are more in the mood to learn about writing contests. Check out this blog for a look at library service to teens across the entire city.

Think you've had enough of fun and informative blogs? Think again! If you are a parent of a young child, know a parent of a young child, or are an older sibling, than this blog is for you. Storypockets is a blog created by the Children's Department at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main. Did you know that the Nandanik Indian Dance troupe just visited the Main Library? Would you like to recommend a book to youngsters you know? Have a good look at this Children's Librarian blog.

Fare Thee Well

Hi everybody, I just wanted to say so long and farewell to you all. My time as an intern here at the Carnegie has come to an end. It has been a great experience and far, far too short. I’ve learned a lot, and had a blast doing it. You all have a great space here, wonderful programs, and the best library staff a teen could hope for. I’m envious. I wish I had had such a great place to go as a teenager, and I hope my hometown of Denver gets as great a teen space as this. I wish you all the best, and thanks for helping me learn. I especially want to thank those of you who came to my program! Look me up on Facebook, and I’ll keep on checking up on what’s going on here through Facebook and the blog.
Slan Agaibh, Chris Lovejoy

Operation Teen Book Drop - the books were dropped today!

Just in time for Support Teen Literature Day, the 650 books donated by the Young Adult Library Association and readergirlz were dropped off at UPMC Children's Hospital.

These books had an eventful month. They started in Chicago, jumped into some boxes and shipped themselves to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main-Teen. When they got here, 5 fabulous teen volunteers took them from their cozy boxes and placed donation stickers on all 650 title pages. The volunteers also placed 650 pretty purple bookmarks inside these books. The books then went back home to their boxes. On Tuesday morning, they were loaded into a shipping van and taken to UMPC Children's - their final destination. Soon these books will find their way to patients and patient's families, and their final purpose will be realized: being a welcome escape to members of our community who could certainly use it.

From Deadpool!!!

Hello blogger this is Deadpool the “merc with the mouth.” My interview with Entertainment weekly went so well they dropped the lawsuit. Today I have appeared in the D.C universe and I will battle Deathstroke in Gotham City. Before I fight him I’ll answer some questions that Jose from Mexico has sent to me. Here are some of the questions he sent me.

Question 1: How do you get a girls attention?

Be yourself, tell the truth about yourself.

Question 2: Cyclops vs you who would win?

Me because he is too nice and I got healing factor and better combat skills or wear the old marvel girl costume and make him die laughing.

Welcome to the CLP Manga Reading Room, Live from Tekko '08!

Hey all you anime and manga maniacs! The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is pleased to once again at Tekkoshocon, offering a manga reading room stocked with over 300 titles from Naruto to Chibi Vampire.

If you want a place to get away from the con hustle and bustle (or just think the library is cooler than a shinigami), please come visit us on the 5th floor of the Radisson Hotel, in Green Tree.

Believe it!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Record a Song about YOUR Favorite Book/Author and Get a Chance to win $5000!

Calling all readers and music fans!

Have you ever read a book and thought, "I sure would love to turn this into a song"? We just received word of an interesting new contest being sponsored by the people at Gale (one of the companies who make those research databases we keep trying to get you to use). Here's the info:

...we invite you and your patrons to compose a song about your favorite book or author, record a video of its performance and submit it for a chance to win $5,000 — $2,500 for you and $2,500 for your favorite library. Post the contest on your community board to encourage even more entries and have a better chance at winning a share of the prize money! Visit www.gale.com for complete rules beginning April 13, 2008.

If you're bursting with song but don't have a chance to record it, you can contact me at the Teen department at the Main library (412-622-3121). I may be able to help.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Teen Power! the political process, voting and you

Hi everyone. This year, as you know, is an election year. So we wanted to have a program to talk about some of the issues that will be discussed during the election, and more importantly, talk about the issues that are important to you. Some of you will be old enough to vote this November, but even if you won't be voting this year, politics is something that still effects you--funding for your schools and education, public transportation and the price of gas, even the air you breath and the water you drink. If you have an interest in politics, or are just curious to find out what those people on cable news shows are shouting about, join us for Teen Power! Sunday, April 13th @ 3pm. There'll be a trivia contest w/ prizes, followed by a discussion. Soda and snacks will be provided. Find out how you can make a difference!

Geek Teen Alert: Guitar Hero on the Commodore 64

Hey teens! Have you caught the 8-bit retro madness of the chiptune craze, the people at SyntheticDreams have managed to make your dreams come true: Guitar Hero on the Commodore 64.

The FREE Shredz64 project lets you hook up your guitar controller and play along with a huge user repository of .sid files, which are music files designed to be played on the Commodore 64 system. These range anywhere from NES games to cheesy 80s hits.

If your parents still have one of these dinosaurs lying around the office (and I know some of you do), then you and some adventurous friends can breathe new life into the old system. If you don't, here's your chance to delve into the wonderful world of emulation. Here's what you need:

• A downloaded copy of Shredz64.
  


• Commodore 64 emulator. Your computer can simulate the C64 environment, opening up your computers to a whole host of fun, independently-designed games. PC users can check out CCS64, while Macs have Power64. For Shredz64, what matters is that your emulator can emulate paddles. Commodore 64 emulation can occasionally be tricky, so make sure you read the documentation.
  


• Playstation to USB adapter. This will let you hook up your Guitar Hero controller to the computer. The Stepmania site currently has a great guide to finding the one that will work for you.

After a couple of mouse clicks and text commands, you'll be all set. Have fun, and be sure to check out the demo on Youtube!

Perks of Being a Teen Volunteer...

Well, there's many, my friend.

Teen Volunteers at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh:

• get a first look at what CD's, books, graphic novels, and video games are freshly returned,
• get a chance to put their library service on their resume/school applications,
• get a CLP badge, which allows free entry and discounts at many local museums, and
• get to do things like SLEEP OVER at the library!
  

Recently, we had our first every Teen Overnight at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main. 30 Teens who have volunteered in the past 6 months were invited. They were treated to trivia, pizza, snacks, the world premiere of ROCK BAND at the library, a midnight book discussion, movie watching, Apples to Apples, all capped off with a bagel breakfast.

If any of these perks sound appealing to you, contact us to volunteer!