PR Hint of the Week - Oct 7, 2002 - Teen Read Week

Next week, October 13-19, is Teen Read Week. From the TRW website
(http://www.ala.org/teanread), "Teen Read Week is a national literacy
initiative aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators,
booksellers and other concerned adults. It began in 1998 and has been
celebrated the third week in October each year ever since.
"Books have to be fun before they can be work," says author Rodman
Philbrick. The main theme for the Teen Read Week initiative is "Read
For The Fun Of It," and a sub-theme that is different each year has
served as a basis in developing programs in schools, public libraries,
and bookstores."

This year's theme is "Get Graphic @ your library" and focuses on
graphic novels and comic books. Vist this year's TRW site
(http://www.ala.org/teenread/trw/) to see this year's cool manga-style
graphic, read about ways other libraries are celebrating, find ways to
publicize your events, discover tips for collection development, and
more.

The graphic novel format is extremely popular with teens, and, as many
of you know, I am a huge fan as well. How can a librarian NOT love
books that get teenagers and college students to come to the library
in droves?! The other day I observed several patrons gathered 'round
my graphic novels shelves, companionably comparing favorite titles.
One young man was wearing a ripped black t-shirt and grimy black
jeans, had a dozen facial piercings and purple hair. He was excitedly
discussing his favorite g.n. with a second young man clad in
Wranglers, snap-front western shirt, and cowboy boots. Listening
avidly was a twelve year old boy, a library regular and huge manga
fan. Sitting at a nearby table, engrossed in reading Battle Angel
Alita, were several young teen girls.

It's not too late to plan a little something for next week, even if it
is just to print out a reading survey for teens (available on the teen
read website) or handing out bookmarks with reading tips. Maybe go through
some catalogs and order a few graphic novels for your collection. At
the very least, take a look at the websites and start planning Teen
Read Week for next year. There you will find a variety of great info,
including lists of award-winning titles for teens, dates for TRW
through 2006, a poem about reading, tips for enjoying reading, and much, much more.

Don't forget to register as a TRW participant! You will get to print
a cool certificate of participation (print on a color printer if you
can) and will receive copies of Comics Journal to give away.


Linette Ivanovitch