Teens -- are you looking to earn some student service learning (SSL) hours? The Takoma Park, Md. Library offers two ways that you can earn SSL hours. Read on for more information.....
We've currently got two ways for teens to earn SSL hours:
1. Be a book reviewer! If you're in middle school or high school, you can earn one SSL hour for every review you write. The reviews MUST be written at the library (we have a computer for you to use). And we'd prefer that you review a book that we have in our catalog. Printed copies of the reviews will be compiled in a binder that will be kept in our Young Adult Books area to be used by teens looking for book suggestions. The Takoma Voice also is interested in printing student reviews. And the reviews also will be posted online in this Teen Book Blog (first names only will be used for Internet security reasons). Other important facts: the reviews must be at least two paragraphs (6-8 sentences long); they should include just a bit about the story; and the main focus should be on actually REVIEWING the book -- telling readers what's good about it, what's bad about it, and who would/would not like it. We'll have review guidelines to help you write your reviews. Contact Karen MacPherson, children's/teen librarian, at 301-891-7262 or karenm@takomagov.org for more information or to sign up to be one of our teen book reviewers!
2. Help out with children's events! At least once a month, the library offers a craft or other activity for children. These activities are usually held on Monday evenings, from 7-8:30 p.m. or Saturday mornings, 10-11:30. You can earn two SSL hours for volunteering to help out at an activity. We ask helpers to arrive a half-hour before the activity starts to help set up. Helpers work with young children to help them during the event, and then we ask you to help clean up when the event is over. Contact Karen MacPherson, the children's/teen librarian for more information at 301-891-7262 or karenm@takomagov.org.