Category: Teen Programs

Kids Take the Lead in Summer Reading Challenge

BIG NEWS! The Kids (ages 0-10) now lead in our Tails and Tales Summer Reading Challenge!  What age group can read the most this summer? Here are the standings: First Place: Kids (6,205 minutes) Second Place: Adults (2,960 minutes) Third Place: Teens (300 minutes) Together, our community has read 9,465 minutes this summer! We’re almost halfway to our goal of 20,000 minutes! Keep up the great work! Want to get involved and help your team? Want to win free books and other prizes? Join the contest by logging the time you spend reading and learning this summer. You can log online here, print a paper reading log, or pick one up from the library front desk.

Upcoming Youth Volunteer Opportunities

This summer, get involved in our community! Below are library volunteering opportunities for kids and teens. Included: Book Buddy Volunteers needed, Reading as service!, Garden Volunteering, and Project Do Something   Become a Book Buddy! For ages 11- 20 We are currently accepting volunteer applications for our Book Buddy program. Teens and tweens ages 11-18 can apply to become reading buddies to our community’s younger, developing readers. Volunteers will be paired with an elementary aged student, whom they will assist in practicing their reading skills, as well as read aloud to. Schedule: Virtually over Zoom, Mondays, 7/12-8/21, 2:20 – 3:00 PM Applicants need strong reading skills and to be available for at least three of the six dates of the program. A parent or guardian’s permission is needed to complete the application. The application is open now. To apply, fill out our application.  Questions can be directed to Children’s Program Coordinator, Neena McBaer at children@pawlinglibrary.org or 845-855-3444.     Reading as Service! For all ages This summer, our library is aiming to buy a brand...

Centennial Jazz Concert

The Pawling Library is hosting a free jazz concert on the Village Green on Saturday May 22nd, 1-3 PM. Why is the Pawling Library kicking off its year-long centennial celebration with a New Orleans Jazz band? Because in 1921, when the library received its Charter from the New York State Board of Education, what was known then as Dixieland Jazz, was all the rage all over the country! In the early twentieth century, the Great Migration of talented Black and Creole musicians who left New Orleans to seek a better life in the north, brought this vibrant musical genre to Chicago, Philadelphia and New York. And what better way to celebrate our one hundred years of service to our community than to shout out our excitement with this “brassy” introduction to our thrilling year of programming and events brought to you by the generosity of the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Trust. While you’re celebrating with us, dance on over to the information tent where we will be sharing our program schedule for...

Congratulations to our Contest Winners

We have our winners! Congratulations to Julian (Grade 5) and Joslyn (Grade 9) for creating the winning entries in our President of the Library Creative Writing Contest Thank you to all of our participants and everyone who voted. Thank you also to the sponsors who made our prizes possible.  Here are the full results of the races:     Children’s Division: First Prize and The Award for Winning by the Biggest Margin: Julian, Grade 5 Second Prize and The Award for Best Candidate Platform in the Children’s Division: Fox, Grade 3           Teen Division: First Prize and The Award for Best Slogan in the Teen Division: Joslyn, Grade 9 Second Prize: Kennedy, Grade 7 Runner Ups: Marie, Grade 11, with The Award for Best Platform in the Teen Division Anthony, Grade 6, with The Award for Funniest Entry in the Teen Division

Election Results Are In! Wonka Sweeps!

With over 200 votes cast in the races for President of the Children’s and YA books the winner is clear. Willy Wonka has won both offices! Congratulations to Julian, Grade 5, winning the top prize with his nomination of Mr. Wonka for children’s section president and the best campaign slogan “Book are as scrumptious as sweet chocolate.” Congratulations to Joslyn, Grade 9, for winning top prize for the YA section president. Her Willy Wonka platform narrowly won in a race against Hermione Granger. Thank you from all of us for your participation whether you put forth a candidate or participated in the vote! Participants will be receiving email notices from Phil about the when, where, and how to collect their prizes!

President of the Library Books: Voting Open Now!

Voting has begun for our President of the Library Books competition. Young patrons have submitted their fictional nominees and now the community will decide which ones will serve as the President of the Children’s Section and the adjacent office of President of the YA section. Follow the Link, read about the character’s platform, then vote! Voting continues until the library closes on November 3rd, Vote NOW! https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/election/  

Submit for the President of the Library Contest now!

We are now accepting submissions for the President of the Library contest. Contestants will choose their favorite fictional literary character and write why they should be considered for the Presidency of the Library. The contest is open to children and teens grades K-12. Two competitions will be running simultaneously for kids ages 5-10 and for teens ages 11-18 and the top two entries will be voted in by the community as President of the Children’s Books and President of the YA Section, winning a top prize of a Kindle Fire! Before submitting please read our complete set of By clicking the link above. Submissions can be submitted online or picked up in person at the library during regular library hours.

Volunteer Opportunities for Teens/Tweens

  Volunteer Opportunities for Teens/Tweens There are currently two types of volunteer positions open for ages 11-18–book buddies and garden volunteers. Book Buddies, or our Teen Buddy Book Club, is a program that pairs kids one-on-one with a teen role model. These volunteers spend time virtually helping their buddy gain confidence reading, while they practice their literacy skills and get to know them. For more information, visit https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/community-service/   Garden Volunteers tend to the teen garden at the library, but do so on their own schedule, without others around. Possible responsibilities include watering, checking nitrogen levels, and weeding. All volunteers will be able to take vegetables home! Find out more at  https://www.pawlingfreelibrary.org/teenprograms/ As we continue our reopening process, additional volunteering opportunities will be considered. We hope to have volunteers helping in additional children’s programs regularly as soon as it is safe and we are allowed.   Leadership Interns: Because we are hosting summer programming virtually and have to limit the number of people in our building, the library is not able to hire Leadership Interns this summer. Leadership interns will return...

Pawling Living Narrative Project

With a new name for its fourth year, the Pawling Living Narrative Project is a joint venture between the Pawling School District and the Pawling Library. It is an opportunity for members of the community to connect with educators and each other to share their stories. The event will take place on Tuesday February 18th, 1-3 PM. This year we will center the entire program around the idea of social and emotional well-being. Possible topics include life changing experiences, favorite past times or other interests, and of course health and wellness. Individuals can volunteer to become “books” that others can “check out” and have an engaging conversation on the topic chosen by the “book”. They will also have the opportunity to act as “readers” by selecting “books” to “check out” for themselves. In other words, you choose something from your life or experience that you think others might be interested to hear, and then other people people sign up to discuss it. Each conversation lasts about 20 minutes and includes one to five other people....

Young Adult Interactive Movie Night featuring “The Witches”

Tonight, October 30th 6:45-8:15 PM, in the library Annex our young patrons (10-18 years) are invited to watch and participate in “The Witches”. Based on the novel by Roald Dahl of the same name and produced by Jim Henson! A list of call and response interactions will be encouraged during the viewing to make the experience interactive. Our teens will enjoy popcorn and laughs as they witness the adventure of Luke, an unlikely hero, as he tries to thwart the evil plans of the powerful Grand High Witch! Get in the Halloween spirit with this cinematic classic! If you a know a teen that would like to attend contact Phil at teen@pawlinglibrary.org or call at 845-855-3444.