Funky Good Times!

Hemp crafts were created

Hoola Hoops were swirled

Many Buildings were built

And gifts were exhanged

It was quite an evening and TAG thanks all the folks that came and made it such a very good time!

TAG is taking a bit of a break now, but has many plans for 2010!
Check back for news, new READ posters and more!
Happy Holidays to all - from TAG!

T.A.G.'s Holiday Event!

ALL Teens are invited to come to this AMAZING T.A.G. Event!

Create Graham Cracker Gingerbread Buildings!
Make a weaving with hemp & beads!
Hoola Hoop Your Way to Glory!!
Bring a 'White Elephant' (inexpensive or gently used) gift to exchange!
Enjoy the Santa Clause movie!
Eat, drink and be Merry with T.A.G.
and celebrate the start of the Winter break from school!

Improv Fun!

Everyone seemed to have a good time at the Improv on Friday!Huge thanks to Clare Bennett for 'bringing' the games!

Thanks to everyone who came and made it a great time!
Come back soon - T.A.G.'s holiday party is just around the corner!

Improv with Clare!

Game Creations!

Thanks to Everyone who showed up and created Art on Saturday!

Not only were some really creative pieces made as art, but some folks even made whole new games from pieces of others!

T.A.G. is going to have a tiny bit of down time, but December will be a busy month, so come back soon to see what is happening next with T.A.G. at the Library!

National Game Day - ART!

Come and Join in the fun of National Game Day - Saturday, November 14th at the Ketchikan Public Library!
Not only will there be a variety of games available to play but from 1:00-3:00 we will be creating Recycled Game Board ART!
You can bring in your own games that are missing parts and pieces, or use our boards & blanks to create
ART IN THE AFTERNOON!
The Teen Advisory Group will be hosting this creative event - so come and create with T.A.G.!

Double Feature Fun!

As you can tell from this picture the Costumes were AMAZING at the Double Feature Friday and Costume Contest!
The Judges had a rough time picking who would win what prize, but it was a lot of fun!

Thanks to Everyone who came to the program, it was great having you there!
Hope to see you at the next T.A.G. event - happening on the 14th
More Info Soon!!

T.A.G. Event - Comin' Up!

Ketchikan Teens are invited to come in for
Movies, Food and Costume Fun!
Come to see what other Surprises
T.A.G. has in store for this Event!
We hope to see YOU there!

A T.A.G. Alumi Blogs

A Blog; "My Life as a TAG Member"

There is a certain extent to which you could say I was born into TAG. Growing up with my mother working at the library, the Ketchikan Public Library was more than a second home to me, it was a sanctuary. I felt natural there, and the tombs held in by the stacks were my brethren more than my local library's collection. The awkward part might be that I never took up pleasure reading very much beyond the occasional good book, and I admit I'm rather picky when it comes to literature.

However, it still seemed only natural when my own mother started up the TAG group that I would join. As any reader of this blog knows, TAG is a Teen Advisory Group at Ketchikan Public Library. It's administrative person is Kelly Johnson, who also does this very blog as well as managing the Teen Corner on the library's website, doing all of the "paperwork" so to speak for the programming, and overall hauls ass on making TAG thrive in an environment that quite honestly was hostile towards it. With Kelly being my mother, I knew more about the background happenings of TAG than most members, but I tried not to let that interfere with my involvement too much.

Yet again, it did seem almost too obvious that I would join TAG--it was an easy resume builder that my mother happened to be in charge of. But I admit, when I first agreed to join TAG, I wasn't enthused by the concept behind it. I was skeptical, as most teens are, that TAG would really be fun and/or fulfilling. I may have in fact joined TAG so as to not disappoint my mother, but I dedicated over a hundred hours of my life to TAG because I found I believed in it. Every program we brought together, no matter how well (or poorly) attended, the members of TAG would make an effort to make it worth it.

In my two years being in TAG there was only one program that I felt could have actually been improved by the people improving, and that program was on a hot summer night with two longer movies, so I feel it may as well be excused from it's folly.

I can remember sitting talking to college students, being one of four non-college students in attendance, laughing and enjoying the program, just as well as I can remember the silent rave where dancing, singing and hilarious games were constant and well attended. Truly TAG had--has--a certain magic to it, one I hope that, although it will certainly change as the dynamics of the TAG members change, never dies.

Good luck comrades, don't let me down.

Jasmyne "Godzilla" Johnson, TAG member (fo' life).

Art in the Afternoon - Again!

Once again the Ketchikan Public Library's Teen Advisory Group will be hosting an Art in the Afternoon! This time not only will we be creating PostSecrets and Art Cards, but also Origami!! It will be quite a Paper Art Event!
This Art in the Afternoon is open to all ages starting at 2:00 on Saturday, October 10th!
Come and Create Art with T.A.G.!!

Banned Books Week

This week (September 26-October 3) is Banned Books Week an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. If you think book banning is a thing of the past, that people don't do that anymore - check out this link
http://bannedbooksweek.org/Mapofbookcensorship.html to see a map of book bans and challenges in the United States (contiguous 48 only) from 2007-2009. And these were the ones that made the news, who knows how many didn't.

If you would like to learn more about Banned Books Week or other censorship and First Amendment rights issues check out these web sites -

The American Library Association's web page on Banned Books Week

The Index on Censorship

The National Coalition Against Censorship

The Online Books Page Presents Banned Books Online

Think you'd have to look hard for a banned book? Nope, not at all, check out the top 10 most frequently challenged book list for 2008

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
   
   
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass)
   
   
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
   
   
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
   
   
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
   
   
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
   
   
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
   
   
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
   
   
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
   
   
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper

Of course, you may say - these are modern books, classics never get banned! Think again!
Here are the top ten banned and challenged classics.

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. Ulysses by James Joyce
7. Beloved by Toni Morrison
8. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
9. 1984 by George Orwell
10. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

And remember - this is just the top 10 of one year and the top 10 classics, sadly there are a lot more where these came from. So celebrate Banned Books Week by exercising your First Amendment rights and read a Banned Book!!

Final Posters of departing Seniors!

We've got a bit of time before we need to start talking about the next T.A.G. event

So we wanted to take a minute to share these great READ posters with folks

Our last Senior of 2009 has left us for school, so here is a goodbye to ALL our 2009 Seniors!
We wish you tons of good things!
Take care and Visit when you can!

Party Fun!

Human Knots at the TSP Party

The Party was really great - Everyone seemed to have a good time and there was something for everyone! From Swimming passes to bubble wands to books to book bags and more, everyone went home with a prize. The big prizes were drawn for and the comment card winners were announced as well. For all the details go to the TSP webpage.

Saturday Night!!

The FINAL part of the Teen Summer Program is happening Saturday Night!!
It's the Teen Summer Program Party - all the prize winners will be announced for all the Comment Card prizes, the drawings for all the punch card prizes will happen - including the Grand Prize, there will be a ton of door prizes open to ANY teen who comes to the party, there will be live music by Muskank and TONS OF FOOD!!
T.A.G. hopes that folks who participated as well as any other Ketchikan teen who would like to have a great time will come be a part of this End of Summer event!

Up Next

T.A.G. members are at the Library today taking in the final entries for the Teen Summer Program. That means that next up is --

The party is open to ALL Ketchikan Teens
T.A.G. hopes to see YOU there!

TSP 2009 FINAL EVENT

This is it!
The FINAL Teen Summer Program Event of 2009!
Come and get your Punch Card punched, win Instant Gratification for full cards and comment cards, see who wins the August Drawing, watch movies & cartoons - all while enjoying snacks and beverages provided by Movie Gallery and the Friends of the Library!
T.A.G. hopes to see you there!
And just a reminder - the Teen Summer Program is OVER Sunday, August 23rd, so be sure to turn in your cards!! The Instant Gratification booth will be open Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. for those last minute turn ins!

Poetic Artistry!

Folks seemed to really enjoy creating all kinds of Artistic Poetry
at Art in the Afternoon!

It was great seeing everyone being so creative with just magazines and magnets!

The Teen Summer Program is nearly over - today is the last day to sign up,
and next Sunday is the FINAL DAY to turn in cards & comments.
But there is ONE MORE EVENT before it's all over,
come back SOON to see what it is!

Art in the Afternoon!

T.A.G. invites folks ages 10 and up to create a personal
Magnetic Poetry Set
for your locker or 'fridge!

Improv Night FUN!

Improv Night was so much FUN! Huge Thanks to Clare Bennett for sharing her talents with us and our guests!

There were tons of talented folks - or at least folks willing to play!

And it was such a big hit that T.A.G. may host another Improv Event this fall!

Next week there will be two Instant Gratification Booths the 10th from 6-8 p.m. and the 12th from 10-noon, so bring in your cards for PRIZES!
And the 15th is an Art in the Afternoon
Look for more information on that here soon!!

This Week - Instant Gratification, Next Week Improv

For Folks working hard on their Teen Summer Program cards we have two Instant Gratification booth times this week - Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday morning from 10 to noon. If you have a filled card or comment cards to turn in visit the library during these times and pick instant prizes!!

Next week T.A.G. has another very special Teen Summer Program Event lined up -

As a Teen Summer Program Event stamps can be earned by attending this program - but you should come because it's going to be a great time!
Hope to see you there!

Poetry Workshop Success!

A Huge THANK YOU to Dave Kiffer for a wonderful Poetry workshop!
It was a great night of poetry for all who attended.

Next up we find out -

Come and enjoy two movies & popcorn courtesy of the
Movie Gallery
with beverages provided by the Friends of the Library
and get a punch on your Teen Summer Program card too!!
Remember a full card will get Instant Gratification at events as well as during
Instant Gratification booth times.
And once you've entered for the Laptop there are TONS more prizes to be won!!
Hope to see YOU at the movies!

Poetry Workshop

The next Teen Advisory Group Teen Summer Event is coming up!
Dave Kiffer will be sharing some of his poetry created from personal experiences and teaching skills on how one can create this type of poetry independently.


In the meantime

And check back soon for more T.A.G. Summer Program News!

Vote for YOUR Favorite Harry!!

Voting starts TODAY!
Come in and cast your ballot for your favorite Harry Potter movie then come and see
which movies got the most votes next Friday!
But that isn't all that's happening next week! Come back soon for more T.A.G. event news!

Beading Works!

The Beading Workshop was an amazing success! Not only was beautiful jewelry created, but we had a great time too!

Crab necklace was a favorite!

Isn't this necklace gorgeous! Such talented teens!

Earrings were another big hit - look at the button earrings! Wow!

And I love this beautiful blue creation!
A few folks had to leave early, but I am happy to say we have enough supplies to do a Bead Work Art in the Afternoon - so look for that this fall.

We are taking the weekend off - but look for what is happening next week!
T.A.G. is not even half way done with this summer!

Beading!

The NEXT T.A.G. sponsored Teen Summer Program Event is a Beading Workshop with T.A.G.s very own Chrystina Jacobson! She will show how to create beautiful pieces of jewelry - with all the materials provided by the Friends of the Library and Mission Streets Arts and Fibers!
We hope all the Teen Summer Program participants will attend and not only make some amazing jewelry, but also get another stamp for their cards!
See you on the 7th!

READ Posters from T.A.G.

Style Night was a great time - Huge Thanks to Morrisa for creating such an amazing program!

We have a bit of down time until the NEXT Teen Summer Program Event so we thought you might enjoy some of the amazing new READ posters that T.A.G. has been working on.

Of course this is a short break, so check back soon for news about our next event!

Style Night with Morrisa Clark

A Teen Summer Program Event!

'Outfit outlines' including "Day Wear, Evening Wear, Office, School, Occasion & Special events. Color & Style choices for different body types & skin tones AND basic repairs - if you have a clothing question, Morrisa has the answer!

Come and earn a T.S.P. stamp - and instant gratification prizes if you have completed a card!
The June Drawing will be held for a Simply Bella Gift Certificate too!

Join T.A.G. for a very stylish evening on Tuesday!

Double Feature Friday - Sing A Long!

T.A.G.'s first Teen Summer Program - Art in the Afternoon with Dave Rubin was a huge hit! Next up - A Sing-a-Long Double Feature Friday hosted by our very own Victoria Clary! We hope Ketchikan teens will come and sing with Victoria and enjoy these two great musicals! We hope to see you there! Don't forget to bring your "TSPoon" card for an 'extra punch'!!

Art in the Afternoon - TSP Event

The first event of the Teen Summer Program is happening THIS weekend! Attend this Art in the Afternoon and not only will you learn about pencil sketching you can also earn an event stamp for your 'punch' card (aka "TSPoon"). We hope to see a bunch of teens enjoying this program! And look for a new event NEXT week!

Teen Summer Program Kick Off

T.A.G. is kicking off the 2nd Annual Teen Summer Program Registration Day at the Ketchikan Public Library with giveaways, bonus prizes and Instant Gratification goodies! But don't despair if you don't make it in to the library today - the program will be going all summer long!
So come in and register and get ready for a summer full of events, prizes and fun!

T.A.G. Turns Two!!

The Ketchikan Public Library's Teen Advisory Group Celebrated it's SECOND Anniversary on June 2nd with Sushi, Pizza and a goodbye to our three graduating Seniors!

We will so miss these lovely, talented ladies! Thankfully they will be with us for most of the summer!!

And we will need them! T.A.G. is hosting the SECOND ANNUAL TEEN SUMMER PROGRAM and we have TONS of Events planned, prizes to give out and summer to be enjoyed. Look for more information soon - TSP starts SUNDAY June 7th. From 1 to 5 p.m. T.A.G. members will be registering teens and handing out the first batch of TSP PRIZES!!
If they recover from turning into dinosaurs, that is

Maybe it was the pizza?

T.A.G.'s next event!