Are you confident, connected, and open to change?

Are you a Millennial (age 18-29)? Most of you in high school are not considered a Millennial but you probably have much in common with this 'generation.' Take the quiz and find out. Some interesting things about Millennials:

• They are more ethnically and racially diverse than older adults. 
• They're less religious.
• They are less likely to have served in the military.
• They are on track to become the most educated generation in American history.
• Only about six-in-ten were raised by both parents.

College Admissions via YouTube

The New York Times is reporting that "for the first time this year, Tufts University in Medford, Mass., invited aspiring students to submit short YouTube videos to supplement their applications. About 1,000 of the 15,000 applicants did so, and their videos range from slick to, well, earnest." You can see them here. (And sorry about YouTube being blocked--but check it out at home.)

Edgar Allan Pillow

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."

Next time you are nearly napping... make sure it's with your Edgar Allan Pillow!

You can find this great literary pillow over at Etsy.

The Perks of Being 'Teacher of the Month'

There is no special front-row parking spot. We haven't seen any monetary bonus. No one has showered us with candy and flowers, but check it out -- our names are on the marquee and with that come some pretty cool congratulations from the community. Seriously, we are most honored. It's good to be recognized for the hard work and impact you have on students each day.

Black History Month

Here's the last trivia question for Black History Month. Remember to come by the library to submit your answer for a chance to win a gift certificate to Starbucks.

We love a busy library!

Public Speaking Practice

Mr. Rutledge's speech classes practiced their oratory skills today with help from our book collection. They worked on inflection, facial expressions, and voice projection using our children's books. I'll bet some of you recognize the books you see here. And you probably have some fond memories of them too.

Dinosaur Days @ Your Library!

Our preschool students visited today and learned all about dinosaurs. Ms. Sullivan did a great job pronouncing all the hard names. All the kids did a great job pronouncing them too.

Science of the Olympic Winter Games

NBC Learn, in partnership with the National Science Foundation, unravels the physics, biology, chemistry, materials science and math behind the Olympic Winter Games. Watch and get smart!

Black History Month - Week 3

Research the following question, come to the library, fill out the answer entry form, win a drink at Starbucks! Thanks for playing.

Many Winners Today!

We have a winner for the Black History Month trivia contest, week 2. We have winners for the Valentine's Movie/Poster drawing. Thanks to all who participated. Listen today during announcements for your name. Check back next week for Week 3 of Black History Month. The answer for this week....Smokey Robinson.

And remember, Percy Jackson premieres today. Go Books!

Teachers of the Month

Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Buckley have been awarded teachers of the month. Thanks so much to the administration for this nice acknowledgement. We're so glad we get to work with all of you. Go Brook! On a quest for the best. Check back tomorrow to see if we win the chili cook-off.

Social Media Use on the Rise

According to a new report, the number of teens and young adults who use social networking sites continues to rise, but the number of these same young people who are blogging has decreased, and proportionately very few of them are on Twitter. So what's your favorite social networking site? Our poll is over to the right.

• 14% of online teens now say they blog, down from 28% of teen internet users in 2006.
• 73% of wired American teens now use social networking websites, a significant increase from previous surveys. Just over half of online teens (55%) used social networking sites in November 2006 and 65% did so in February 2008.
• Young profile owners are much more likely to maintain a profile on MySpace (66% of young profile owners do so, compared with just 36% of those thirty and older) but less likely to have a profile on the professionally-oriented LinkedIn (7% vs. 19%). In contrast, adult profile owners under thirty and those thirty and older are equally likely to maintain a profile on Facebook (71% of young profile owners do so, compared with 75% of older profile owners).
• Teens are not using Twitter in large numbers. While teens are bigger users of almost all other online applications, Twitter is an exception.
• In the past five years, cell phone ownership has become mainstream among even the youngest teens. Fully 58% of 12-year olds now own a cell phone, up from just 18% of such teens as recently as 2004.

A Social Media Count

Black History Month Trivia - Week 2

It's week two of Black History Month and week two of our trivia contest. Remember that research is encouraged. You don't have to know the answer. That's what libraries are for -- to help you find those answers. So come by and fill out our official entry form and answer this question or you'll see "the tracks of my tears." And yes, that's another hint.

And the winner is...

We have a winner to the trivia question this week. Listen for the winner's name on the announcements today and see it on "the big screen" in the commons during lunch. Stop by the library for your prize. Read again on Monday to see the new question and bring your entry by the library.
Answer: Thurgood Marshall

You'll have to wait until 8/24/2010!

Suzanne Collins' two books are flying off the shelves at both libraries and bookstores. But you'll have to wait until August 24 for the third book. In the meantime, if you haven't been part of the buzz, now's the time to catch up.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Gwen over at Unshelved Media reviews Evermore by Alyson Noel.

"Ever Bloom was just a normal teenager. She was popular, had a boyfriend, and her little sister annoyed her. Then her dad swerved off the road to avoid a deer and her whole family died. Next thing she knew, she could see people's auras, hear thoughts, and learn anyone's life story with a touch. Damen Auguste, a mysterious new student at her school seemed strangely familiar. Because he's the only one able to help when others' thoughts threaten to overwhelm her, she starts to fall for him and finds herself sucked into his world of danger and mystery.

Why I picked it up: I like stories that take place at school but have a dash of the paranormal.

Why I finished it: I was hooked right from the beginning when Damen Auguste stalked into the classroom and calmed Ever with a touch.

I'd give it to: Julia, so she can see how non-tragic her life is. Eliza, who needs to find another fictional boyfriend besides Edward Cullen. (Get a Life!) Emily, who loves the constant, "What's going to happen next?" of a mystery."

Ruh-roh, It's Senior Research Time!

It's senior research time. Your librarians can help you find good, valid information and cite that information. We want to help you get a better grade. So come see us and take advantage of all that your library has to offer. Remember -- even Scooby Doo had to do research.

Black History Month Trivia Contest Starts Today

The library is helping our principal, Ms. Staley, with a Black History Month trivia contest. You can bring your entries to the library. There will be a drawing each week for a gift certificate. The winners will be announced Friday during announcements. Here is this week's question: