Smithsonian @ OPL: The Way We Worked

The Way We Worked

Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit

December 6-February 1

Beginning this month (December 6, to be exact) and running through February 1, Oxford Public Library will be hosting a traveling Smithsonian exhibit titled The Way We Worked. This is all about working, jobs, and how things have changed throughout history. OPL is one of only a few sites statewide to host this exhibit, so this is BIG, people. REALLY big!

In addition to the Smithsonian's awesome displays (Some interactive! All interesting!), which will be in Community Room A and scattered about the library, each of the library's areas will be feature department-specific displays related to what you'll see in the Smithsonian. 

Teen has displays about:

Help Wanted: Would YOU Do This Job? (Dangerous, gross, and all-out unsavory jobs) 

Before They Were Famous: Match the celebrity with their regular job (This one's a contest. Prizes will be awarded to those who get the most correct answers)

OPL Staff: Where we used to work. Awful and unusual jobs library staff worked at before we came here (We're talking exploding milkshakes, horse poo, moldy cheese, and more!). 

In addition to these displays, the library will have all kinds of cool programs, events, and contests. 

So stop by the library and check out The Way We Worked. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You don't want to miss it!

$$$ For College

Dollars ($$$) for College
Thursday Dec. 4 @ 6:30 p.m.

Expert Sheryl Krasnow will visit OPL Thursday December 4 @ 6:30 p.m. to help you get your college plans and finances sorted. She will guide you through the various steps of of applying for financial aid, scholarships, and grants and answer any questions you might have. This program is a MUST for any teen considering college (and their parents too!). Space is limited, so registration is required!

Register online, by calling 248-628-3034, or in person at the Teen Desk.

The Naked Roommate, by Harlan Cohen

Going away to college can mean one's first time living away from home for any extended period of time, and, for many, it can be a real eye-opener. But it doesn't have to be a horrifying experience...IF you're properly prepared, that is. 

Harlan Cohen's The Naked Roommate offers a humorous and completely uncensored look into what you can expect from the college experience: Adjusting to life on campus, roommate drama, friend drama, dining, dating, parties, Greek life, sex, drugs, alcohol, laundry, jobs, extracurriculars, how not to fail your classes, and basically everything they don't tell you in those shiny college brochures. Cohen takes real questions from real teens and offers advice on how to handle pretty much everything related to college. 

So forget every single college-themed movie you've ever seen (cause those won't help you here), forget those posed pictures and stiff writing in your university handbook (that won't help you either), and check out The Naked Roommate. You'll be glad you did when you're faced with having to share a bathroom with 40 other people or a roommate who insists on watching Glee in nothing but their undies (while sitting on your couch).

The Naked Roommate is currently living on our College display (on top of the curved fiction shelf). The display is a tie-in for our annual Dollars For College program, which is happening Thursday December 4 @ 6:30 p.m. (register here)

Game Day Saturday!

Stop by the Teen Department on Saturday November 15, to play one of our board games or to have a go at a jigsaw puzzle.

Don't be bored - play a board game!

This week we received an exciting parcel in the mail, which turned out to be a new family board game called Tapple! from USAopoly. They are interested in what teens think of their new games, so please call in on Saturday and let us know what you think!
We will of course also have Scrabble, playing cards, Jenga and Yahtzee available for some good old-fashioned fun.

NEW PROGRAM: #TeenCraftSaturdays@OPL. Saturday September 6 Noon-3 p.m.

You know you have that BIG project due Monday, so why not take a study break and make something cool?

This Fall, the OPL Teen Department is introducing a NEW PROGRAM: #TeenCraftSaturdays@OPL. To be held the first Saturday of each month, Noon-3 p.m. (or until supplies run out), this 100% drop-in program will feature a different cool craft each month. 

September's project, set for Saturday September 6, will be Retro Treasure Boxes. For this, we'll start you off with an old VHS tape case and a table full of art supplies. From there, you use your creativity to transform that tape case into something useful, fun, and retro-esquely hip. 

Upcoming projects are: 

• Frankentoy Workshop (Saturday October 4)
• Book Hedgehogs (Saturday November 1)

#TeenCraftSaturdays@OPL are drop-in only. That means no registration and no wait lists. It also means that when supplies run out, they run out forever. So get here early!

We'll see you next Saturday!

Fall Programs 2014

Teen Summer Reading 2014 and all its awesomeness may be over, but don't despair! We've got some exciting new programs starting in September lined up. Check them out!

*New Programs*

#TeenCraftSaturdays @ OPL

First Saturdays Noon-3 p.m. (or until supplies run out)

9/6, 10/4, 11/1

You Know you have to stop by the library anyway because that BIG project is due Monday, so why not take a study break and create something fun? Most projects make use of "upcycling," so they're both fun and environmentally friendly. These programs are drop-in only, so get here early! When supplies run out, they run out forever.

September 6: Retro Treasure Boxes: Use provided craft supplies to transform old VHS cases into retroesque treasure boxes. The predecessor to the DVD never seemed so cool.

October 4: Franken-Toy Workshop: Create creepy new toys from pieces of old ones. Well post photos of our favorite creations on this blog and our Facebook page.

November 1: Book Hedgehogs: Back by popular demand! These adorably literary critters are so cute all your friends will want one--even the ones who don't really like to read.

Bored? Play Games! Saturdays

Third Saturdays, Noon-3 p.m.

9/20, 10/18, 11/15

It may sound counterproductive, but board (not bored) games are a surefire cure for the dreaded affliction of ultimate boredom. The teen staff understands this, so we'll have a TON of games and puzzles set out. Drop in and play!

*Fun Stuff*

October is Teen Read Month

All Month Long

Pick up a Teen Read Month activity card beginning October 1. Read books and do activities and turn your stuff in by October 31 for a chance to win awesome prizes. Sort of like Summer Reading, but not nearly as intensive.

LEGO Program for Teens

Tuesday 10/14

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Back by popular demand! Stop in and make something awesome with our LEGOs. Prizes will be awarded for height, originality, and functionality (your creation does something). Creations will be judged by on-duty library staff.

Halloween Spooktacular Film Festival

Saturday 10/25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Looking to scare up something fun to do? We'll be getting into the spirit (pun intended) of the season by showing scary/creepy movies all day long. There will be all kinds of treats in store...and maybe a few tricks. Movies will be PG and PG-13.

Stop in and check these out!

Rock Candy...Rocked!

More than 30 teens showed up for our Rock Candy program this past Monday (June 23) as part of the Teen Department's Mad Scientist Monday series. Those attending not only got to prep their own jar of what will soon be delicious and colorful rock candy, but also got to learn the science behind how crystals form as water evaporates from a supersaturated solution. 

Interested? Stop by the Teen Area and ask for the recipe. We'll be happy to share!

p.s. For a limited time (the next week or two), the rock candy our teens made will be on display in one of the large display cases outside of the Youth Area. Stop by every couple days and watch the sugar crystals grow!

Mini Lava Lamps

Our Mini Lava Lamp program (part of Teen Summer Reading "Mad Scientist Mondays") was a huge success. Over 30 teens turned up to create their own mini lava lamp from common kitchen ingredients. Check out these photos!

For those of you who missed the program, the recipe is easy:

You will need:

• One clean small jar or bottle
• Vegetable oil (like for cooking)
• Food coloring (a drop or two)
• Alka-Seltzer tablet

1. Fill the jar or bottle about 1/2 full with water. 
2. Add a couple drops of food coloring. Mix and match to achieve the desired color. Remember, the color is very concentrated, so a little goes a very long way!
3. Fill container the rest of the way with oil, but don't let it overflow. You will see the oil and water separate. This is because these two liquids are insoluble. That is, they don't mix.
4. Break the Alka-Seltzer tablet into small pieces and add the pieces one by one. The antacid will begin to fizz in the dyed water, causing colored bubbles to rise up through the oil on the way to the surface. This is what creates the lava lamp-like effect.

Have fun :)

Teen Summer Reading 2014

Tomorrow, Friday June 6, begins the library-wide signup for Summer Reading 2014. The Teen segment of the program, themed "Spark A Reaction," will feature fun activities like Rock Candy Lab, Homemade Lava Lamps, Kitchen Concoctions, Wacky Wednesday, Movies, and more! The season will be capped off with a special Mythbusters-themed Lock-In (by invitation only).

Want to learn more about TSRP 2014? Visit our website for a complete list of programs, dates, and times. Keep in mind that most programs for Teen Summer Reading require registration. You can sign up online, by phone (248-628-3034), or at the Teen Desk.

All teen programs, Summer or otherwise, are for teens 6th-12th grade only. Why? Because these programs were designed with teens in mind. Also, we have limited space and supplies. Parents of younger children/siblings should see the Youth Area for a list of age-appropriate programs. 

Spring Break Lego Program!

Spring Break LEGO Program for Teens
Tuesday April 8 @ 6:30-7:30 p.m.

You asked for it, and we delivered: A LEGO program just for teens (because why should the little kids have all the fun?)! 

While the Youth Department's Lego program is between sessions, we're offering our teen patrons a special, one-night-only opportunity to channel their inner architects, inventors, and mad scientists. On Tuesday April 8 @ 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Teen Department will be hosting a special Spring Break LEGO Night, exclusively for teens. Register online or at the Teen Desk, or just drop in. Either way, this is your chance to create something cool! Prizes will be awarded for Height, Originality, and Functionality (your creation does something). On-duty library staff will judge.

This program is for Teens, meaning you have to be 6th-12th grade to attend. For those younger than 6th grade, the regularly-scheduled Youth LEGO Program will resume Monday April 21--and there are still a few openings for that.

Questions? email Alissa Bach abach@oxford.lib.mi.us or call (248) 628-3034.

This Week: Hot Cocoa Cones

Hot Cocoa Cone Make & Take

Thursday Dec, 20 @ 4-7 p.m.

Teen Department

Need a last minute gift? Stop by the Teen Area this Thursday (Dec. 20) between 4-7 p.m. and make a Hot Cocoa Cone. This traditional (and tasty!) holiday craft makes the perfect stocking stuffer for that hard-to-shop-for person. But if you want to keep it for yourself, that's OK too.

Please Remember: Supplies are limited, so as a courtesy to others who want to try the craft, we ask that you make only one cone per person. Thank you!