Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Teens Get to Vote Too!!!!

Those of you in grades 6 to 12 get a say in the annual Top 10 [Book] Picks for Teens. All you have to do is read a few of the nominated YA books (You've probably done that this summer, right?) and then Vote for Your Top Three Favorites at






Voting is open Aug. 24 through Sept. 18, 2009. Winners will be announced in a webcast at http://www.ala.org/teenstopten during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24.

2009 YA Fiction Nominees:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Truancy by Isamu Fukui
Truancy: Origins by Isamu Fukui
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Paper Towns by John Green
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
Wake by Lisa McMann
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Bloodline by Katy Moran
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Geek Charming by Robin Palmer
Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

You can place any of these books on hold with your Renton Library Card at http://hip.rentonwa.gov/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=home#focus

Happy Reading!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What's Happening for Teens at RPL?

Teen Advisory Board
Main Branch
(Grades 6 to 12)
Exercise your creativity and develop leadership skills while socializing with other teens, and participating in fun activities. Snacks and drinks are free!

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

Thursday, September 17th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 15th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Libraries Aren't Just for Books Anymore

Sure, libraries are still a great place to go to find books for fun and leisure, personal enrichment, and learning new things. But did you know that libraries offer other great resources as well? No, not DVD's.....well, yes, we have lots of those too, but that's not what I meant. In fact, you don't even have to go into the building to check out some of the great information available through your public library.

I'm talking about Library Databases. What's a database you may ask? Well, allow me to introduce you. Library databases provide access to magazine, newpaper, and research articles online, many in full text, right at your fingertips! No more wading through evil microfische or Microfilm! These are subscription-based services, available for free to anyone with a current library card. You can find biographies, current events, science research, and more. And the best thing is, the information is CURRENT and RELIABLE, not always the case on the World Wide Web.

Next time you have to do research for a school report, just get out your library card and take a look the Renton Library's Online Databases.

Award Winning Titles at Renton Libraries

Ever wonder how librarians spend their free time? Probably not. Well, perhaps you've wondered how all those award-winning books get selected every year? Well, the answer to both those questions is: Librarians READ them of course. Now, there are a lot of books published every year, hundreds of thousands in fact. That's a lot of books to get through. So librarians like to talk with one another about the great books they're reading, then they team up and form committees, go to national conferences, and vote on the best of the best. How's that for Democracy?

Now you can virtually drop by Renton Library's handy new Award Winners Webpage featuring links to all the great award winners, both current and past, and then check one out from the Renton Library. You'll also find the nominees for the upcoming Young Readers Choice and Sasquatch Awards. Happy Reading!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Teen Game Days at Renton Libraries! - Summer Finale

Renton Highlands Branch - Tuesday, August 25th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Renton Main Branch - Thursday, August 27th, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. -

Stop by the one of the Renton Libraries the last week of August to play Guitar Hero2 - Aerosmith, Dance Dance Revolution, board games, High School Musical karaoke, eat snacks, create some artwork, and generally have fun.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Visit With a Critter at the Renton Main Branch

“Max” is visiting the Renton Public Library, and he’s bringing all his furry friends!
The Seattle Humane Society’s bright yellow, 38-foot mobile adoption and education unit will be loaded up with dogs, cats, and even a few critters – all available for on-the-spot adoption.


WHAT: MaxMobile Visits Renton
WHERE: Renton Public Library Main Branch
WHEN: Tuesday, August 18th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WHY: Adorable animals available for adoption, or even just a cuddle with a warm, furry human!

Be sure to check with your parents before you head out, especially if you're hoping to bring anybody home. Remember, animals are a really big responsibility (food, vet bills, little wanted "presents" around the house, etc.) and require a big committment. Find out more at the Max Mobile.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Calling All Engineers of the Future!

The National Engineers Week Foundations' 2009-2010 Future City Competition invites all seventh and eighth grade students in the United States to create cities of the future. The theme this year is "Providing an Affordable Living Space for People Who Have Lost Their Home Due to a Disaster or Financial Emergency." Contestants will first design a model of their city using SimCity 4 Deluxe software, and follow it up with a physical model using recycled materials and a research essay about it. The best part is, it's your chance at winning scholarships and travel!

For more information, visit http://www.futurecity.org/competition.shtm