Random Stuff
Find the ever popular Timewasters and other random topics.
What topics are you interested in? How can the library help? Let us know at teens@ald.lib.co.us
share: 
Free Audio Books all Summer
Sync YA Literature is offering free audio books this summer. Two titles are available each week. Download to your MP3 player or listen online.
Favorite Teen Book
Thanks to your suggestions in the poll, we were able to come up with the nominees for July's Sizzling Showdown.
Check out the nominees and vote for your favorite.
18 years of history in rap
Watch this Week in Rap rap about the last 18 years of history, in honor of high school graduates.
What would your mom say?
Check out this article about the 13 year old who climbed Mt Everest: his mom told him to get his butt back home.
Dewey Decimal Rap
All those numbers - 917.5924 for the trip to Disney World, 510 for math, 809 for the Cliff Notes of the book you're reading in English.
For a fun explanation, check out this Dewey Decimal Rap.
CollegeInsight
With CollegeInsight you can view a snapshot of important data and a relevant comparison between colleges, or start with a topic that interests you, then dig deeper to see how specific colleges, states, or school types compare.
Teens for Planet Earth
Teens for Planet Earth (T4PE) is a social networking site for teens who want to protect our planet. Choose a project, connect with others, and make a difference.
I missed it!
Missed your favorite episode of Family Guy?
Watch episodes or clips of your favorite shows.
5 Great American bands that were first discovered in the UK
Check this article by Muzu.TV. These 5 bands had to travel halfway around the world to gain recognition in their own country.
Free college classes
No college credit earned but it's free. Explore an interest or help decide on a major.
Also, here's 100 Ivy League Literature classes that you can take online for free. Can't get into MIT? You can now!
CampusTours
Find college information and virtual tours at CampusTours.com. Visit a college without leaving your home.
Take a Trip
Teens: blog, email and view slideshows at Whitehouse.gov!
You might think you have gotten all the information you can handle on the new President, the new administration in Washington, and the latest scoop on all the changes we, the American people, imagine we can expect in the next 4 years. However, this great website makes it all very current and accessible, visually inviting and well, pretty fun. It’s like a trip to Washington, without leaving your computer! You can skip over the political stuff, and head right to fascinating facts about Air Force One, bios of the First Ladies, White House Tour times (never too soon to plan your next trip!), and even get information on being a White House Intern. Well, why not? You can stay in the loop on the political stuff, too!
Considering Vegetarianism?
Considering being a vegetarian? There’s lots to consider. Take a look at resources put together here to help you decide.
Peep show at the library
Can peeps do research? This "research study" observes the habits of peeps in the library.
Teen Health
There's more to good health than going to the doctor for a checkup! Get lots of information about everything from birth control to personal safety to stress management.
The Straight Dope
If you are looking for answers to truly random questions, look no further than The Straight Dope. Their motto, "Fighting Ignorance since 1973 (It's taking longer than we thought.)" Submit your question - you will be informed and amused.
Tri-via Time!
In the ancient days, the place where three roads intersected was called trivia (tri = three and via = way, road). The Roman goddess Hecate was called Trivia, the goddess of the crossroads. Why a goddess for the crossroads? Because you never knew who you might meet, and you might need a little protection when encountering strangers on the road!
Today, trivia means inconsequential things or ideas of little importance, but as you trivia lovers know: it’s all good. Check these links and find yourself intersecting with fun!
Funtrivia.com
Coolquiz.com
What a Great Time We Live In!
Posted by Gwen
Did you know if you have an ID and email, you can "check out" a bike at the Fort Collins Bike Library? They are challenged to keep up with the demand. What a fantastic new concept of a "library" for our times! That leads to the other, non-traditional libraries out there. Did you know there are tool-lending libraries across our country from Atlanta to San Francisco? The tools are generally funded by grants and reserved for nonprofit and community-based group doing volunteer projects (think shelters). Very cool!
There are also huge digital archives, such as Project Gutenberg, Google Book Search and World Digital Library from the Library of Congress. You are just keystrokes away from absolutely massive amounts of primary source information. Chances are you yourself have your own music library, DVD library and possibly downloadable book or Kindle library. Your good old public library down the virtual and actual street is your magic entryway to learning about all the other libraries that make up your brave, new world. Check in and check us out!
Teens: Be a Driving Force
Hooray! Just got your permit? Or just passed your driver’s license test? What could be sweeter than the first time you get to go solo, with the music on and windows down? What could be worse than the first time you have to tell your folks you just dented the fender? Or worse...
Even though teens have better reflexes than adults, there is just as much need to focus on safety while driving – and staying focused is the key! So, take a deep breath, and delve into some "seriously" entertaining reading and viewing on driving for teens.
When you're done being serious (c'mon, it's summer), try checking your driving reflexes
I Scream, You Scream!
July is National Ice Cream Month, the perfect time to enjoy the frozen confection that can cool off even the steamiest summer day. Icy desserts have been eaten at least since the days of the Roman Empire, but it was American colonists who first used the term “ice cream.” Today, a dairy food trade group reports that nine percent of all the milk in the U.S. is used to produce ice cream, proving that this “frozen food” remains extremely popular with American consumers. Whether you prefer to make your own or sample the delights of the ice cream parlor, this is a summer treat that can’t be beat.
We've got books about ice cream, gelato, sorbet and other great frozen desserts!
Still Growing?
Check out this basic info about growth, see where you are on a growth chart and best of all try the height calculator to estimate your final height.
Happy Birthday Superman!
June 1st, 1938 the first ever Superman comic book hit the stands. Created by teenagers Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, Superman was an immediate hit and led the way for the creation of many more caped and non-caped super heroes. Superman may be 70 but he still looks good! Find “Superman” in the library’s online catalog and you’ll get over one hundred items from books to DVD’s. Here are books, movies and t.v. shows featuring the Man of Steel.
Quite an impression!
Have you seen the Impressionism exhibit at the Denver Art Museum yet? Better hurry--it's only here through May 25th! Take a look at some of these books and websites to get you in the mood.
Shoes Shoes Shoes
Boots, flip-flops, sneakers, stilettos, espadrilles. Whether working out or rockin out, shoes are an essential part of everyday life. Do you absolutely love your kicks? Check out this list of great movies and books all about fab footwear.
How much do you sleep on average?
In our March poll, 40% of you indicated that your Spring Break plans were to sleep! How much sleep do you get on average? Take our poll.
For more information about teens and sleep go to National Sleep Foundation site, you can even take a Sleep Myths Quiz. Or read Dreams and Sleep
Learning Styles
Have you ever noticed the way you learn best? Chances are that you and your best friend don’t learn exactly the same way. Do you learn by taking things apart and putting them back together? Can your friend follow a map and not get lost? Do your friends zone out every time you logically explain chemistry to them? Have your parents asked you how you can study with all that music blaring? All these and more indicate different learning styles.
Each learning style uses different parts of the brain to learn and retain information; the more of your brain you use, the more you’ll learn and retain.
mo' money
Posted by Gwen, teen librarian
In this day and age, you might get your first credit card application before you get your first job!
Since, as your parents have probably told you, money doesn’t grow on trees, how do you get a handle on all this before you – oops – go into debt by age 17?
Never fear, you can avoid going in the money pit, get a job, and even try your hand at investing a bit of your hard-earned savings. It’s cool to be smart about money! Read on…
DIY : Design Your Own E-Game
Posted by Anna Zillinger, Teen Services Librarian
If you spend all your off time playing computer games, it may be a good time to try to make your own! There are all kinds of web and print resources that give you the tools to make a new, exciting game that suits both your interest and skill level. Who knows? Maybe you could be the next big game developer.
Timewasters
Games, trivia, strange websites and more...
Know a good site? Send it to us at teens@ald.lib.co.us. Remember it should be appropriate for kids ages 11 and up.
Digital Inkling
This summer Digital Inkling, the teen online monthly newsletter, will consist entirely of your reviews, poems, art, and stories. Review books, movies or music or send in your creative writing piece. Send your work to teens@ald.lib.co.us and get published!
Get Cooking!
If it is too cold to do much outside, head to the kitchen. We've put together some cookbook recommendations, information about vegetarism, some fiction with food themes and a cooking poll.
Great Books Based on Mythology
Tap Into the All Time Original Super Heroes!
Here's a short list of immortal and mortal Greek tales at ALD that make these teen fantastic fiction books must-reads.
Arapahoe Library District Teen Corp!
Our Teen Advisory Boards are changing into something bigger and better. Find out about the new Teen Corp!
Origami and You
Remember when you were a kid, and origami was cool? Well, it is again! Teens who fold paper in an artistic manner get not only an intricate animal, flower or design, but are training their brains in geometry. Think about it, you are bisecting angles every time you make a fold! For some incredibly amazing ways to fold a dollar bill, try this website. For a manga twist on this ancient art, go to sarahsorigami.com. Or you can come to the Arapahoe Libraries and check out a great book: Easy Origami by Kazuo Kobayashi or look for more origami books at 736.98. Happy folding!
ALD gaming blog
The WASDland is for teens to discuss games and game events at the Arapahoe Library District.
Planning for College
by Cheryl Schubert, Librarian
Spring is here, and it’s easy to start thinking about baseball, outdoor activities, summer vacations, and summer jobs. But it’s also a great time for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to think about colleges! The SAT, ACT, essays, applications and college choices can cause lots of stress. This process can actually be fun if you’re prepared! The Arapahoe libraries have some good sources that can help you every step of the way!
Here are some of the good sources to look at:
It’s SAT Time!
Sharpen Those #2 Pencils and Put a Fresh Battery in the Calculator –
It’s SAT Time!
Many students take the SAT during the fall or spring of their junior year. You can also take it in the fall of your senior year - just be sure you take it before your application and scholarship deadlines!
Comments (36)
Nightmare academy and Hang Man's curse.
Both are by: Frank Peretti
-goes off searching for L (the hottest character you ever did see)-
Oh, yay! I found him. See yall around then ×_×!
HEHEHE