Teens Blog
Here in the Teen Services department, we are constantly striving to provide the kinds of programs that Kalamazoo's teenagers want. We know that gaming, crafts, and Japanese pop culture are popular. And Galley Group attracts new enthusiastic teen readers almost every month. Besides those, however, are there other programs we could offer that would bring you and your friends to the library? If so, we want to hear from you! Among the ideas that we have recently scheduled that either had to be cancelled due to lack of registrants or had few, if any, attendees include reader's theatre and workshops in the library's computer lab.
If you are a teenager and you have some good ideas about how the library can better serve its teen patrons, please leave your comments below. Better yet, consider joining the Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.), which meets once a month. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 2, from 3:30 to 5 in the Van Deusen Room. We look forward to your feedback!

The most recent teens books I have read, Hate List by Jennifer Brown and The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson, were galleys, which means they haven't been published yet. Therefore, unfortunately, I cannot link the titles to a KPL catalog record since they have yet to be added to the Teen collection. BUT...if reading new books before they are even published is something that interests you, I'd like to invite you to join Galley Review Group. Members of GRG have the opportunity to read these pre-publication versions of new books and then provide their opinions to the publishers by filling out this review form. We meet once a month to talk about the titles we've read and to discuss which ones we think should be nominated for the Teens Top Ten list.
If you are an avid reader and would like to get in on the fun of reading new teen titles before everyone else, call the Teen desk at 553-7807. Of just come to our next meeting which will be Thursday, August 6 at 4:00 at the Central branch downtown.
Hope to see you there!
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http://www.kpl.gov/teens/galley-group.aspxDo you wish you could vote in the upcoming presidential election but are not legally allowed to do so due to your age? If so, then Teens' Top Ten might just satisfy that need you have to let your voice be heard. KPL's own Galley Review Group was one of fifteen teen book groups across the country that helped select the nominated titles. And now, when YOU go online to cast your vote during Teen Read Week (October 12-18), you help ensure that the 2008 Teens' Top Ten list is truly representative of the reading tastes of teens everywhere. So go read one or two more of the nominated titles, then cast your vote between October 12 and 18. Check our calendar for other Teen Read Week programs.

Get a sneak peek at upcoming teen books! Read the newest titles by your favorite authors like Chris Crutcher, Sharon M. Draper or Laurie Halse Anderson. Help discover new authors on their way to literary stardom. Join the Galley Review Group.
What is a galley?