Wicked Winner from Homer Library!

Congratulations to Emma O'Shea

We applaud Emma O'Shea, age 13, from Homer Township Public Library, who is one of four Grand Prize Winners in the Wicked Essay Contest!

Emma (left) was presented with her very own Wicked Book by storyteller Megan Wells at a recent library program.

Over 500 essays were received on the topic of popularity vs. knowledge. "Glinda, the popular witch in Wicked, sings that it is more important to be popular than to have brains or knowledge. What do you think?" We are most proud that there was such an amazing response to this contest from area youth.

Take a moment to read Megan's essay. I love her quote: We shouldn't forget that while popularity unlocks the doors, it is knowledge that keeps us in the room. Visit your library to expand your knowledge. We are here to help!

Grand Prize winners include:

Emma O'Shea, age 13, from Homer Twp. Library (PALS)
Natalie Geoffroy, age 11, from Grayslake Library (NSLS)
Alexandra Hansen, age 12, from Woodridge Library (MLS)
Shannon Blum, age 11, from Bensenville Library (DLS)

Grand prize winners will have the opportunity to read their essays at Wicked Day on Sunday, October 29 at Daley Plaza.

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy When a Valued Staff Member Leaves!

Brian Smith's last day as our Adult Services Director at the Homer Library will be October 27th. He has accepted a position as Library Services Consultant from Prairie Area Library System (PALS).

Brian should be very proud of all that he has accomplished here. Homer Library has had the good fortune to benefit from his expertise these past five years. He will be missed by all of us.

Please drop by the library before he leaves to say farewell. We wish him great success in his new position!

View Our Kewl Teen Video

Created courtesy of our very own Brian Smith, we have a kewl video about Teen Read Week. It's fun, click the center button below to take a look!

Taped partially on location at Homer Library, this video will be linked from our newest endeavor, the library's very own YouTube account that is being built (coming live soon).

DO U IM? Ur Library Duz!

Communication - what works for you?

This is your library. We are here for YOU.

Drop in at 14320 West 151st Street, visit at one of our new bookmobile stops, call us on the telephone, send us an email, or IM the library. You can also sign up for our email news and get the latest sent directly to your inbox. Our newsletters go out several times a year and monthly calendars are sent to area schools and available at the circ desk and bookmobile.

What communication works best to meet your needs? I'd love to know!

Instant Messaging:

• AIM homerlib
• Y!M homerlib
• MSN homerlib@hotmail.com (Use for IM only)

Email:

• Ask A Librarian (Help Desk, etc.)
• Teacher Support (Assignment alerts, "Bag It" requests)
• Bookmobile Staff
• Library Director (Yes, I answer them all)

Telephone: 708-301-7908
Fax: 708-301-4535

AskAwayIllinois: 24/7 Online Chat (AskAwayIllinois is provided in collaboration with many libraries, so you probably won't be online with a Homer librarian.)

I welcome your input. Take our online survey.

Teens, DDR, and more @ Homer Library

Calling all teens!

What's the latest and greatest for teens at the library?

A teen website Homr.teens.online was created this summer and is being managed by the teen interns of the library. Check it out.

We also launched a teen events blog www.homerlibrary.org/teenevents.asp that presents program information and other teen/library related news.

The teen book review blog at www.homerlibrary.org/teenreviews.asp needs your comments to make it more complete!

The teen del.icio.us account at http://del.icio.us/homrteens is still in beta stage but we are working on it!

DDR Coming Soon
Our DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) events are eagerly awaited by all; get those dancing feet ready! Take a peek at our pictures from the last event on our flickr photo archive. Our next session is on October 23 at 4pm. We will soon finalize the future DDR dates, and notices will be posted with all of the details. Check out the teen event site often.

Teen Read Week
We are celebrating Teen Read WeekTM 2006 October 15 - 21st. The theme is Get Active @ your library. Get involved, visit with friends, find a great read at Homer Library!

SUMMER INTERNS - We thank you!
Our recent teen intern program was a great success with 60+ assistants who joined us for a variety of activities across many library departments. We were amazed at the enthusiasm and energy they brought to all that they did!

Leadership Academy
And for a sneak preview our staff are planning a new Teen Leadership Academy (TLA) in 2007 along with other great programs. We are seeking sponsors and grant support for the TLA. We will be describing these events with more detail in the next months. Sign up for our email news and be the first to get the details! More information will be forthcoming soon.

There were many outstanding entries in our recent teen photo contest. The interesting photo above was taken by our patron Cindy Kristufek of Claire. More great photographs are featured on our flickr site.

Writing Club & Author Fair

There is a writer in all of us...

I am writing again. It feels great. I wonder that I ever took such a long break from it! But such is life. I urge you to take some time for yourself and consider joining the library writers club, called Prairiesmoke, which meets monthly. We have a diverse and talented group of members whose writing is often featured weekly in the Homer Horizon newspaper column. It is a great support group for the beginning or experienced writer. Take this opportunity to nurture your talents. Come and join your peers!

Author Fair - Mark you calendars for October 17th to visit our Author Fair! Between 7:00 and 9:00p.m you'll be able to meet and chat with authors of many types of fiction- something for readers of any age! We have a wonderful line-up of authors for book signings, presentations, discussion, and more. We also will have raffles and refreshments. Please join us for a lively evening.

Featured authors include:

Daniel Betcher - Prince: The Great Uprising
Norm Cowie - The Adventures of Guy
George Kulles - The Curse of the Imperial Paperweights
Jim Martin - Push Not the River
Hellen Osterman - The Accidental Sleuth
Dona Parus - The Dark Plain
Rita Woods - The Color of Clouds
Adam Woodworth - Monsters Under My Bed

p.s. Don't forget the rapidly approaching holidays; a signed

book (personalized by an author) makes a wonderful gift.

Energy at the Mayoral Address

At a recent Chamber of Commerce event we had the privilege to hear Mayor Russ Petrizzo thoughtfully address the issues faced by our growing community.

How the future growth of the Homer area is handled will affect the quality of life for all of us. The Mayor's "State of the Village" address discussed area growth trends; a master transportation plan; a proposed Town Center (with new library); and planned tactics to help meet the challenges fast growth brings. There was lots of positive energy in the room as well as thoughtful discussion.

We were pleased to have the Library mentioned several times as a "community gem" which "is long overdue to expand to serve our growing community". A new library is included in the plans for the proposed Town Center on 159th Street. Library usage continues to rise with approximately 600 visitors daily.

Pictured above is: Chamber President Diane Seiler; Mayor Russ Petrizzo; State Representative Renee Kosel; and Library Director Sheree Kozel-La Ha. Below are Mayor Russ Petrizzo and Library Director Sheree Kozel-La Ha.

See additional pictures and other library events on our photo site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/homerlibrary/. Also, visit the Village of Homer Glen's site for key information (including a handy listing of elected officials) at http://www.homerglen.org/.