Telling Teens It Gets Better

How many times do you hear of a tormented teen who has ended their life, and wish you could have told them it will get better? Dan Savage and his partner Terry created the It Gets Better Project, specifically in response to the suicides of bullied gay teens and their wish to prevent others from doing the same. They are encouraging others to make their own videos of love and encouragement, and a large number of people have already submitted one.

Here is Dan and Terry's:



Honestly, I think any struggling teen could benefit from hearing this message.

Please share with kids you know.

SnoGLOBE Gay-Straight Alliance Event

SnoGLOBE and PFLAG are sponsoring a a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) event for "youth, advisors, friends and family who might want to attend. It will be an "open mic" event for youth to participate in spoken word poetry, music, comedy or other forms of entertainment. It is also a way to meet other youth participating in GSAs. We hope you can join us."

This will take place Saturday October 2nd, from 3-6pm in Everett at 2804 Grand Ave.

Please share this with youth you feel might be interested!

Skype and Libraries

I'd heard about Skype for ages, but never tried it myself until I was at a family reunion in Texas last month and had the opportunity to chat with my cousin in Japan. It was so wonderful, we talked for 2 hours! By the end of the conversation, I felt like I knew her much better, and had the basic plans for a vacation underway.

Now I'm twice as determined to find ways to use this simple tool to enhance our library services. I'm been hoping to organize some author visits with bookgroups, but now with Skype's announcement of 10-way video/audio calling...I'm thinking it is time to try some online bookgroups with it!

Do any of you have experience with it? What would you like to try?

CAYAS Workshops

This fall's CAYAS Workshop focuses on teens. From the CAYAS website:

Meeting the Challenge of Supporting and Engaging the Teens in Your Library

Presented by David Wilmes, Director of St. Paul Youth Services and Karen Kolb Peterson, Youth Services Coordinator, Saint Paul Public Libraries.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010
King County Library System Service Center
Issaquah, WA
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 4, 2010
North Central Regional Library Headquarters
Wenatchee, WA
9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

More info to come on the CAYAS site.