2009 Scholastic Writing Awards Winners!

Congratualtions to all the students who won an award at this years Scholastic Writing Competition. I hope to see you at the Awards Ceremony to recieve your certificate, keys and prizes.

February 8, 2009 at Lancaster Catholic High School at 2pm.

* American Voices Nominee

Elizabethtown High School

Silver Key
Melinda Martrano
Random Ramblings
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lyn Shaffer

Certificate of Merit
Briana Carraher
Secrets
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Lyn Shaffer

Alex Gotowski
Conversations
Poetry Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Lyn Shaffer

Ephrata High School

Gold Key
Christopher Accardo*
Kingdom of Fathers; Forest and Field; One Name and Ninety-Nine; An Evening in Baghdad; The Drum Room; In a Glance; A Year and Some Months; Bleeding Red
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Silver Key
Pahua Lee
Learning about L.I.F.E
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Certificate of Merit
Emily Albright
Qualifying
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Thaddeus Hatt
The Hero of His Time
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Sara Koshinsky
An Affair to Last a Lifetime
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Tyler Kulfan
Reflections on Ephrata, Pennsylvania
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Daniel Slotcavage
From Fat to Flat
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Aleksey Yermolov
Elucidating Existence
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Garden Spot High School

Silver Key
Maura Sprecher
Various Titles
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Michelle Custer

Kraybill Mennonite School

Gold Key
Olivia Esbenshade
Romanesque Hockey Hoydens
Personal Essay Memoir Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Mary Bucher

Lancaster Catholic High School

Gold Key
Bridget Gibbons
Soul in an Ashtray
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jackie Cicchetti

Brad Weeber
Blanket
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Joan Russoniello*
To Understand
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Jackie Cicchetti

Silver Key
Margaret Larkin
Seventeen Minutes Ago
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Margaret Larkin
Scar
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Margaret Larkin
Scope; Back in my Day; Scar; Chimney Tops; Seventeen Minutes Ago; Tivo
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Sean Little
The Rise of the Black Nebula
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Mary Reich
Look (pause) at (pause) the (pause) Moon
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Patrick Schober
Time: An Instigator
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Alexandra Slenker
Create, Form, Invent, Make, Generate, Produce, Construct
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Alexandra Slenker
From the Eyes of a Child; Create, Form, Invent, Make, Generate, Produce, Construct; The Things I Carried; The View
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Certificate of Merit
Anthony Anater
In Defense of McDonalds
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Anthony Anater
Puzzle Lake
Personal Essay Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Jennifer Berlot
Tops Terces
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Emily Campagnola
Nature’s Dance; Nobody’s Death; Soldier
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs Leslie Laird

Alison Carson
Going Home
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 9
Mrs. Priscilla Kegel

Bridget Gibbons
To Be
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Elizabeth Gillett
Dog Tags
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 9
Mrs. Priscilla Kegel

Caroline Gimenez
Through Her Eyes
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 2
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Caroline Gimenez
A Girl Named Charlie
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Rachel Brumbach

Juliet Kelso
Gin and Tonic
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Elizabeth Martin
A Grave Decision
Short Story Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Shannon McGuire
A Stormy Night
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Meredith Modlin
Letter to My Father
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

Lauren Purisky
Search for Imagination
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 9
Mrs. Priscilla Kegel

Patrick Schober
The Machine; Time: An Instigator; Deciet and Regret; The Fault of Ignorance; A Result; Little Blue Eyed Jimmy
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Kathryn Tafelski
That Night
Short Story Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Lancaster Mennonite High School

Gold Key
Abigail Hertzler*
Hoofprints on the Heart
Dramatic Script Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jane Moyer

Silver Key
Emily Kraybill
Grandmother Willow
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Molly Kraybill
A House of Memories
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Kaela Landis
Walking by on the Other Side
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Certificate of Merit
Lauren Fueyo
A Beautiful Surprise
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Darian Harnish
Gray Hairs
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Ellen Hartshorne
An Unwelcome Encounter
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Abigail Hertzler
The Magic Behind the Illusion
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Becca Kraybill
My Second-hand Secret
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Joel Nofziger
Why Play Chess?; A Call to Action; On Christian Tolerance;
Education to End Economically Driven Conflict; Free Trade as
Economic Theory
Writing Portfolio Nonfiction Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Lampeter Strasburg High School

Certificate of Merit
Brooke Mann
Ways of the Earth
Short Story Group 2
Grade 11
Ms. Angela Depew

Landisville Middle School

Silver Key
Abigail Baker
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Kim Petrosky

Maddison Burkhardt
Beautiful
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Kim Petrosky

Jennifer Cain
The Magic of the Seasons
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Certificate of Merit
Natalie Grubb
My Sweet, Sweet Birdy
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mr. Scott Feifer

Robert Hopkirk
Apples and Oranges- A One Act Play
Dramatic Script Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Dayna Horsey
What If
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Kayla Miller
Yes You Can and That Holiday Feeling
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Kimberly Petrosky

Anton Redding
Colors
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Kimberly Petrosky

Joshua Leonard
Blinding Darkness
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Emily Shenk
The Miracle Ticket
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Kelsey Wettig
The Dream of Hope
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Lincoln Middle School

Certificate of Merit
Logan Zook
The Big Trip
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 1
Grade 8
Mr. Andrew Bundy

Linden Hall

Certificate of Merit
Jillian Silbert
At Crispus Attucks
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Jan Snyder-Hess

Marta Williams
Devil Horse
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 10
Mr. Kenneth Trani

Locust Grove Mennonite School

Certificate of Merit
Marshall Horst
Fox
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Curry Snell

Sophia Mast
Grand Canyon, Here I Come
Humor Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Curry Snell

Manheim Township High School

Silver Key
Lydia Steele
The Mondrago Diamond
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 9
Mrs. Kimberly Wolfe

Certificate of Merit
Zachary Vanderlaan
An Unseen Beginning
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 9
Mrs. Kimberly Wolfe

Marticville Middle School

Silver Key
Lauren Longenecker
Hope is Born in a Russian Courtroom
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Chris McKnight

Rachel Shelley
White Water
Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Christine McKnight

Certificate of Merit
Emma Montogomery
Jamie Doe
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Kristen Buchanan

Sierra Woodworth
I Think
Poetry Group 2
Grade 8
Mrs. Nancy Johnson

Penn Manor High School

Silver Key
Jessica Cheng
Naturalized Citizens Should Be Allowed the Right to Run for the Presidency
Journalism Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Holly Astheimer

Amanda Kennedy
Mama Mia; Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep; One-Eyed Cat; Dear Diary: Reflections; Beware of the Gossip: Novel and TV Series Fail to Enchant; From Grace Do I Fall
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mr. Brian Reinking

Ian Kennedy
By Any Other Name
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Karren Stadden

Julia Scheib
The Escape
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mr. Brian Reinking

Will Shipley
A Strange Little World
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Certificate of Merit
Kathy Davis
Beware of What They Say
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Megan Elliot
Driving at Night
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mr. Brian Reinking

Megan Harris
A Prompt Change
Journalism Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Leah Martin
Feathers, The First Snowfall, The Last Dance
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mr. Brian Reinking

St. Leo the Great School

Silver Key
Patrick Anstett
The Night That Never Was
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Baily Hohman
Scary Story
Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Emily Martin
A Living Nightmare
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 1
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Julianne Petrillo
A Ride to a New Life
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Certificate of Merit
Megan Baak
Believe
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Marian Bechtel
Kayaking with Dolphins
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Victoria Carroll
1408 Oakwood Road
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Emily Hollister
That Day
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Andrew Murphy
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Ellen Tucker

Solanco High School

Gold Key
Nikki Mcvey
Double Word Score
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Silver Key
Rachel Akerley
Observation No. 1; Charleston Overture; 2 a.m. Nausea
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs Jennifer Pasko

Nikki Mcvey
Cal’s Smile
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
Two Moons
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
Double Word Score; Surrender; Cal’s Smile; The Beast; Two Moons
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
It’s Not my Time
Dramatic Script Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Liesl Nafziger
Forgotten Memories; The Light; Letting Go of Julie; At the Sound of Breaking Glass; So Many Eyes Upon Me
Writing Portfolio General
Mrs. Jennifer Pasko

Carter Wintsch
To Watch a Flock
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Stephanie Wood

Certificate of Merit
Twyla Fiocchi
Ridiculous Hue; The Blue Room; Afters; Romantic Corrosion; Vanity; Swell; Chalked Walkway; L’esprit de la Nuit
Writing Portfolio General
Grade 12
Mrs. Jennifer Pasko

Nikki Mcvey
Always Half-Full
Humor Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
Below the Grave
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
Collection
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Christy Witmer

Nikki Mcvey
More Than it Seems
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Nikki Mcvey
Hunted
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Amber Friel

Liesl Nafziger
At the Sound of Breaking Glass
Dramatic Script Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jennifer Pasko

Jessica Nesbitt
Collections: Etre Nouveau
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Mc Robbie

Lauren Stead
GYBWRG
Poetry Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Amber Friel

Wheatland Middle School

Gold Key
Kimberly DeJesus*
I am From
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Sheryl Roche

Silver Key
Keyla Rivera
It’s Your Choice
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Sheryl Roche

Certificate of Merit
Alex Jinks
A Night to Remember
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Sheryl Roche

October Programs @ Your Library

Preschool Storytime - Thursdays @ 10:30am

Consists of a few stories, usually focusing on a theme for the session and a small craft.

Appropriate for preschool age children.
Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Sing, Sign and Storytime - Mondays @ 10:30am

Wonderful fun and educational too! Each session consists of some singing, some stories, and a few simple American Sign Language (ASL) signs. The hope of this program is to educate younger children to communicate more readilly even if they are as yet unable to verbally respond.

Appropriate for preschool age children.
Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Lapsit - Wednesdays @ 10:30am

Some singing, stories, fingerplays, and other fun things to do with books.

Appropriate for Newborn - 2 1/2 yeras old.
Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Teen Animé Club - 11AM to 1PM

Members choose what anime we watch, what manga we read, and what we discuss together.

September 13th—Howl’s Moving Castle
October 11th—Spirited Away
November 8th—Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Teen Dungeons & Dragons - 2pm

Our Dungeon Master will be here to continue your adventure through imaginary lands and fighting fantastic creatures in the Windolph Room.

August 30th
September 13th & 27th
October 11th & 25th
November 8th & 22nd

Location: Windolph Room - 2nd Floor

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Teen Read Week 2008 – No Specific Time or Meeting

Adults think that teens today don’t read for fun. Show them that they’re wrong! Come in and Get Caught Reading for fun in the library and you could win a free teen book! The Youth Services Librarians will be looking for teens reading in the HUB. Please let us take your picture!

October 12th -18th

Location: Youth Services Department – LPL

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Hispanic Heritage Month Latino Teen Culture Party - 1pm-5pm

Celebrate Latino Teen Culture! Teens can learn how to salsa dance, eat Latino food, hear Latino music, and see many books on Latino Teens in English and Spanish. ALL TEENS are welcome.

October 18th

Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) - 4:30pm

Let us hear your voice! Suggest a program, activity, book, or game for teens to enjoy at the library. We need your opinion!

September 16th—let’s start some more Book Clubs: Techno-Geeks, Street-Lit, Mystery (including Spies and Crime), Poetry, Sci-Fi, and Spiritual
October 21st—Mock Presidential Election Preparation
November 18th—Twilight Movie Invitation Call-a-Thon

Location: The HUB - 2nd Floor

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Teen Relay Race Night – 5pm-8pm

Not looking forward to cooler weather? Take the physical challenge @ your library and play relay games with your friends.

October 21st

Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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Teen Fantasy Book Discussion Club – 11am-1pm

Come to the library ready to chat about great teen books!

September 20th--Tithe, by Holly Black
October 25th—Valiant, by Holly Black
November 22nd—Ironside, by Holly Black

Location: Bates Auditorium - 2nd Floor

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There are new programs being scheduled all the time. As always, programs require registration. Please call 717-396-9313 x124 to register.

We're Featured in a National Magazine!

In last months issue of VOYA (Voices Of Youth Advocates) the teen center (The HUB) and teens from our library were featured in a four page article called "The HUB: An Unlikely Aliance of Young Adults and Senior Citizens". Our teens were even pictured on the cover! We're very proud of our space and our teens!

If you'd like to read the article click here to download the PDF file.

Free Comic Book Day @ Your Library!

Free comic book day is a single day where comic stores and other locations around the world pass out free comic books. This year we'll be doing it too!

On May 3rd come to the library and pick up your free comic book!

For more information and a sneak peak of the comics that could be available

visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

All free comics to be given away (and the materials for our window display) were donated by our good friend Joe Miller. The owner of:

The Comic Store
28 McGovern Ave. Station Square
Lancaster PA, 17602.

After you visit us, go see what cool things Joe has going on at his store!

May Programs and Events

Preschool Storytime
Thursdays @ 10:30am

May 1: Space
May 8: Mothers
May 15: Ducks
May 22: Toys
May 29: Ocean


Free Comic Book Day @ Your Library!
Saturday May 3rd 9:00am - 5:30am

Sing, Sign and Storytime
Mondays @ 10:30am

May 5
May 12
May 19
May 26

Preschool Playdate
Tuesdays @ 10:30 am
May 13 Elephants
May 20 Butterflies
May 27 Indoor Beach Party (Kids come dressed for the event!)

Lapsit Storytime
Wednesdays at 10:30am

May 7
May 14
May 21
May 28

Book Fair - to Support Our Childrens Programming
Saturday, May 10, 2008 9:00AM - 11:00PM

Storytimes:
10:00 Keith Weaver - Horton Hatches the Egg (Susquehanna Assoc. for the Blind and Vision Impaired)
11:00 Guest Reader(School District of Lancaster Libraries)
2:00 Barry Kornhauser - Guest Reader(Fulton Opera House)

Music:
12:00 Lancaster Catholic High Jazz Band
1:00 Lancaster Catholic High Jazz Band

Magic:
7:00 Magic with Uncle Yodie - Darrell Yoder(Elizabeth R. Martin Elementary)


Teen Dungeons and Dragons Club
Saturday May 10 @ 2pm

Teen Breakfast Book Club (Twilight by Stephanie Meyers)
Saturday May 17th @ 10am

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (T.A.B.)
Tuesday May 20th @ 4:30pm

Family Storytime
Every Third Wednesday @ 6:30 pm

May 21st - Creepy Crawlies

Teen Movie Night (The Kite Runner)
Tuesday May 27th @ 6:30pm



As always, programs are free and most require registration. Please call 717-396-9313 x124 to register.

Barnes and Noble Book Fair

Here's another way to support children's programming!

We're having a book fair again!

Please come visit us

Saturday, May 10, 2008

9:00AM - 11:00PM

Barnes & Noble

Lancaster Red Rose Commons

1700 Fuitville Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601

All you have to do is make a purchase and tell the cashier it is to support the Lancaster Public Library Youth Services Department. They will automatically credit us for the sale! Books, gifts, and even cafe items qualify. There is also a "wishlist" program this year that allows you to buy us a book from our wishlist. The book is donated to us AND we recieve a percentage of the sale!

So come buy a good book, have a cup of coffee, or a delicious piece of cake to show your support of children's programming and enjoy the programs we provide that day. It couldn't be easier than that!

Storytimes:
10:00 Keith Weaver - Horton Hatches the Egg

(Susquehanna Assoc. for the Blind and Vision Impaired)

11:00 Guest Reader
(School District of Lancaster Libraries)

2:00 Barry Kornhauser - Guest Reader
(Fulton Opera House)

Music:

12:00 Lancaster Catholic High Jazz Band

1:00 Lancaster Catholic High Jazz Band

Magic:

7:00 Magic with Uncle Yodie - Darrell Yoder
(Elizabeth R. Martin Elementary)

Download a Reminder .pdf
For More information call 717-396-9313 x124

National Scholastic Writing Awards Winner!

Congratulations to Kelly Smith from Lancaster Catholic High School for her win in the National Scholastic Writing Awards. Kelly won an American Voices Award for her piece called "Room 323A". We couldn't be more proud! Way to go Kelly!!

Flat Stanley Has Come to Visit Lancaster

We recieved the coolest letter today. Flat Stanley has come to visit us here in Lancaster, PA the whole way from Vinita, OK. That's over 1,156 miles!

If you haven't read the book, it's about a child named Stanley who gets flattened when a bulletin board falls on him. He's okay though, just very very flat. The story goes on to tell about all the fun things he can do now that he's so very flat, including putting himself in an envelope and mailing himself to California!

This time, Flat Stanley has decided to mail himself to Pennsylvania, and needs our help to catalogue his vacation...we need to take pictures of Flat Stanley doing things around town and at the library to send back to his class at Kings Kids Christian School. If you would like to be in a picture with him, or have a good idea of fun things Stanley could do, let us know.

For more information on this fun project visit:

http://www.flatstanley.com/

Cool Website Tool

While looking for information on Bushbabys for a patron I came across this very cool website. This just struck me as a possible tool for homeschooling families, as well as further fun/education for everyone.

Backyard Jungle is a PBS kids based website. It was created by a group of people "who like to explore the outdoors, to see what beautiful and scary things live there, and see cool stuff from others all around the world." Backyard Jungle was created and is produced by staff at Forum One Communications. Backyard Jungle was funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Check out some other cool sites that CPB funded, too!


Below is the "about us" information on their webstie.

Backyard jungle is a sophisticated, free, kid-friendly website where users around the world can load photos, drawings, and descriptions about the natural surroundings where they live, their "backyard." Users manage and map their own information, share it with other people who visit the website, and visit and comment on the backyards of other users as well. With other people worldwide users can explore and answer the question, "What's out there?" All the content (information, photos, and drawings) on the website is loaded by users themselves.

Backyard Jungle is organized around three types of information that users load into the website: "Members", "Backyards", and "Discoveries." Anyone can view this information. Only people who join as Members can load in information, map their Backyard, and put Discoveries into the website. Members also get to vote on each others materials, earn points, and get featured on the home page and other parts of the website when they load in something super cool or beautiful. Members leave their computer, explore their surroundings (yards, neighborhoods, parks, wildlands), and return to load descriptions and photos and drawings into the website.

Scholastic Writing Awards List!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Scholastic Writing Awards!

All parents, friends, family and Judges are welcome to join us at the awards ceremony on February 24th at 2pm at the Lancaster Catholic High School.

*Denotes American Voices Nominees

Columbia Borough Jr./Sr. High School

Certificate of Merit
Adam Mowrer
The Effects on Fox
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Virginia Babic

Donegal Middle School

Certificate of Merit
Lucy Scanlon
Mine; Sistres in Difference; Worship;
Half-Life; Time Line; Release
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Rose Ellen Haggerty

Ephrata Area High School

Certificate of Merit
Brianna Brubaker
Curiosity Helped the Cat
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 9
Ms. Colleen Hauser

Nicole Messner
Not Even a Goodbye
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Stevana Morris
When I Was Seven
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cheryl Fritz

Kaitlin Nordhoff
The Littlest Ninja-Princess-Racecar Driver
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 9
Ms. Colleen Hauser

Katie Zuziak
This is the Story of a Girl
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 9
Ms. Colleen Hauser

Garden Spot High School

Gold Key
Sarah Costello
Please Be Polite
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Priscilla Fias

Certificate of Merit
Emily Dissinger
A Balancing Act
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Priscilla Fias

Jennifer Himes
Tick
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Priscilla Fias

Anne Martin
With No One Waiting
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Priscilla Fias

Kate Timpson
Snapshot of the Past
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Priscilla Fias

Hempfield High School

Certificate of Merit
Elana Beckett
The Entertainment Gone Wrong
Humor Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Alicia Mitchell

Gregory Troutman
Poison Oak; K Rose at the Barber Shop
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Ms. Wanda Richie

Alyssa Wettig
We Felt His Physical Pain Emotionally
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Ms. Wanda Richie

Homeschools

Certificate of Merit
Meredith Bechtel
Riot!
Short Story Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Margaret Bechtel

Abby Brubaker
The Choice
Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Khris Brubaker

Lampeter-Strasburg High School

Certificate of Merit
Cassidy Baker
Pew Blues; A Copy for the Masses; Black and White; By Design; Slowly Rising; Dreams; Ode of Hamlet; Decay; Brain Wash; The Classroom
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Janis Harrington

Lancaster Catholic High School

Gold Key
Kelly Smith*
Room 323A
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Kelly Smith
Yellow Truck
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Silver Key
William Cassidy
The Summer of Food
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

Nicholas Cicchetti
Long Live the Dragon
Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Nicholas Cicchetti
A Plea for Mercy
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Nicholas Cicchetti
Lords and Masters
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Kaitlyn Garbarino
A Leap of Faith in the Vault
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Francesca Giustini
The Secret
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Julia Goldbach
In Your Eyes
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

Rebecca Hegarty
Across the Universe
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Sean Little
The Incident at Cryo 13
Science Fiction/Fantasy Group 2
Grade 9
Ms. Priscilla Kegel

Michelle Schubert
Why Ban Certain Books
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Anne Schober

Alexander Veronis
A Time that Transformed Me
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Greade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Certificate of Merit
Regina Bowe
Narcism 101; One Heart; La Danse de l’Une; Minstrel
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Laird

Stephen Bruckno
Only Hard Work Pays Off!
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Anne Schober

Alyssa Carter
I Come From…
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Laird

Nicholas Cicchetti
The Game
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Nicholas Cicchetti
Gregor’s Revenge
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Brooke Fulcher
My Pledge
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Joann Demming

Bridget Gibbons
Silver Spring
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Laird

Hillary Graham
Picture Us
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

Alicia Gray
Left
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Hilary Kane
The Scariest Thing of All
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

James Kelly
Trial by Fire
Short Story Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Laird

Alexander Kelso
Nerds: An Expose on Misunderstood Social Species
Humor Group 2
Grade 11
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Laura Lastowski
Tales of the Dining Hall
Humor Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Anya Mullen
The Castle of the Greenwood
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Anya Mullen
A Walk-Walk to Remember
Personal Essay Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Rebecca Pollock
A Journey
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Joann Demming

Brian Rank
Bottled Up
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Claire Regan
Pause; Screen Porch; How to Bleed the Right Way; Boomerang
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Mary Grace Reich
Moment vs. Memory
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Leslie Laird

Edward Schriener
Conversion
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jacqueline Cicchetti

Ashley Scrivener
The Autumn of Pride; Motion Censored; Our Get-Away Driver Was Not on Time; Excerpt – Chapter One
General Writing Portfolio Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Anne Schober

Michael Sloan
Do I Have a Dog?
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Rachel Brumbach

Rachel Zakany
Violet
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Joann Demming

Lancaster Country Day School

Certificate of Merit
Caitlin Bailey
Pure Gold; Lola; Near and Far
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Willa Bacon

Lancaster Mennonite High School

Gold Key
Sara LeFever*
Out of Season
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Silver Key
Suzanne Yocom
Over a Cup of Coffee; Infatuation; he Confession; Glimpse; A Letter of a Dreamer; Just another Flowery Poem; Cramming; Hard Feelings
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Certificate of Merit
Alexandra Diamantoni
Special Places, Special Days
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mr. Jonathan Metzler

Audrey Ebersole
Growing Up
Personal Essay Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Jenna Ebersole
GOAT?
Journalism Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Lucas Good
Curtis
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Kathleen Engle

Chelsea Information
Life Could Never be Better
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 12
Ms. Jane Moyer

Landisville Middle School

Silver Key
Rachel Herman
Blind Faith
Dramatic Script Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Kimberly Petrosky

Kelsey Nolan
Backpacks are Hurting Straight “A” Students
Journalism Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Certificate of Merit
Sarah Broadwell
Diagnosis
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Veronica Edkin
Beach
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Joseph Evans
Tristan
Personal Essay/Memoir Group1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Rachel Herman
Just Ride Away
Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Kimberly Petrosky

Alissa Le
Colors of the Heart
Short Short StoryGroup 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Kayla Miller
Night; Love; Snow; Fall; Spring
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Alexa Ressler
Getting There; The Ocean, My Ocean
Poetry Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Robert Shreiner
A Day in the Mines
Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Mr. Scott Feifer

Sam Sweeney
Ski Racing
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Sarah Thompson
The Clock Shop
Short Story Group 1
Grade 7
Ms. Diane Anderson

Lauren Weaver
Circle of Life; Elements; Friend; You; Music
Poetry Group 1
Grade 8
Mrs. Kimberly Petrosky

Linden Hall School

Silver Key
Oge Erechukwu
That Fateful Night
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 8
Mr. Kenneth Trani

Certificate of Merit
Abigail Milnor-Swetser
Old Friends; Candles for a Composer; On Becoming Anne; Hello, Hello, My Name is Flo; Position!; Straight Ahead; Every Minute, Every Day
Nonfiction Portfolio Group 2
Grade 12
Mrs. Jan Snyder Hess

Regena Reyes
My Life’s Passions
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 10
Mr. Kenneth Trani

Penn Manor High School

Gold Key
Jenna Dutton
William Shakespeare:Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be
Humor Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Silver Key
Alexandra Adams
Dreams Do Come True
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Emma Bushong
Original
Short Story Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Cece O’Day

Aaron Gochnoauer
Get Rid of the Penny
Journalism Group 2
Grade 10
Ms. Holly Astheimer

Amanda Kennedy
My Body is Not an Etch-a-Sketch
Journalism Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Julia Scheib
Epiphany; Mortal Leaves; Hallway; Hallucination for the Coast Guard
Poetry Group 2
Grade 11
Mr. Scott Hertzog

Certificate of Merit
Julia Dunn
Imprint; Depravity; City Girl; Division; Equivalent
Poetry Group 2
Grade 12
Mr. Scott Hertzog

Gregory Greenawalt
Show Me the Internal Self
Poetry Group 2
Grade 10
Mrs. Lisa May

Lucas Huber
The Harder You Work, He Luckier You Get
Journalism Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Lisa May

Katelyn Wolf
Recess Rampage
Humor Group 2
Grade 12
Mr. Brian Reinking

Reynolds Middle School

Silver Key
Medoza Ameen
Of City Lights and Teddy Bears
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Valerie Nauman

Jalimar Martinez
Into the Abyss
Personal Essay/Memoir Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. Sheryl Roche

Solanco High School

Silver Key
Nicole McVey
The Beast
Short Short Story Group 2
Grade 11
Mrs. Kristin Testerman

Swift Middle School

Certificate of Merit
Brandon Thomas
Ancient Evil
Short Short Story Group 1
Grade 8
Ms. June Shultz

GoodSearch Helps the Library

You can now help the library by using GoodSearch. It's that easy! Just choose "Lancaster Public Library" as your charity and go on searching the internet as you usually would. Each search donates a penny to our library. It may not seem like much, but pennies add up rather quickly.

Local History Contest for Young Writers

Our history in your words...

Open to all students in grades 5 though 8 who live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, or York counties.

Students may submit a factual account, fictional narrative, short story or poem about a person, era or event in history.

Deadline for entries: February 15, 2008

For contest guidelines, call Hershey Museum at 717-520-5587

or visit HersheyMuseum.org

Winning entries will recieve:

• a $200 savings bond
• 10 pounds of chocolate
• Family membership to Hershey Museum

New Year - New Stuff

Happy New Year everyone!

We're back at work here in the youth services department and we wanted to pass on some information for families looking for new fun and educational things to do.

Jan 22nd: Lancaster Science Factory

The Lancaster Science Factory will be opening Tuesday, Jan. 22nd at 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With construction now completed, and the interior industrial space transformed into a bright, open environment, the former industrial space will become an exciting learning place for all ages.
The Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave, http://www.lancastersciencefactory.com/

It's About Life!

Exciting Program For Teens and Adults!
November 5th 7-8 p.m.
Bates Auditorium 2nd Floor

What is organ donation all about? How can you help without being a donor? What happens when I become an organ donor? All these questions and more are answered!

A panel discussion with a donor family, transplant recipient, and a representative from the region's Organ Procurement Organization- Gift of Life Donor Program. Learn more about the ins/ and outs of organ donation and how you can be a lifesaver Please call 396-9313 x124 to register.

Car Seat Recall

For parents of our smallest library users, please be aware of today's announced car seat recall:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/10/news/companies/evenflo/index.htm?cnn=yes

Make time for a virtual visit!

The library invites you to virtually visit the country of Turkey over the next several weeks. One of our regular library familes, the Wengers, are headed to the European nation to help them as they plan new programs for the libraries that they visit under their business, Kids and Cultures.

To follow their trip journey, simply head over to
www.ReallyBigFieldTrip.com

Free Tickets

Our friends at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center stopped by the library this afternoon and dropped off some complimentary passes for this weekend's performances of "Just So Stories," a performance showcasing several of the famous short stories by Rudyard Kipling. If your family is interested in attending one of this weekend's performances, please stop by the Youth Services Desk to pick up your free children's passes. Adults must pay for their admission to the shows.

Future Marathon Themes...

Based on the response so far, we think that the Movie Marathon has been a successful concept, and we're thinking ahead to the possibility of doing it again in the future. If you have suggested themes for us to build movies around, please let us know!

Final Movie Marathon Rundown

We thank you for your attendance so far this week at our movie marathons, and we invite you to close out the week with our "Snow" theme tomorrow, at the following times:

9:30 a.m.-- Cool Runnings

11:15 a.m.-- Snow Dogs

1:00 p.m.-- Ice Princess

2:45 p.m.-- Snow Day

Wednesday's Movie Rundown

We hope that you're joining us during the course of today for our Christmas movies. Tomorrow, Wednesday, is Disney day with the following films being shown:

9:00 a.m.- Cinderella

10:20 a.m.-- The Little Mermaid

11:50 a.m.-- Beauty and the Beast

1:20 p.m.-- Aladdin

3:00 p.m.-- Emperor's New Groove