Monday, September 28, 2009
Did you see our pumpkin?
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Meet the Baskets (Click to Enlarge)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Teen Trivia Showdown Pictures
Last night, about 22 teens from Central Mass gathered at the Shrewsbury Public Library to take part in the first ever "Youth Trivia Showdown!" We also had a great group of other teens, parents, and siblings cheering on from the crowd! A special thanks to ULTRA, teens from Upton, as well as Sutton, for joining in on the fun! Also, I want to say a very special thanks to Dunkin' Donuts of Shrewsbury who sponsored the event!! Here are some pictures from last night - no specific names will be used in this post:
The Runner-Up (left or top, depending on monitor size) & The Winner (right or bottom)
Interesting Survey Facts from the Competition:
Out of 23 responses, teens prefer ("neither" was also an option - so if the numbers don't add up to 23, that means more selected "neither"!) ....
Facebook (12) to Myspace (0)
Harry Potter (12) to Bella Swan (4)
Transformers (15) to G.I. Joe (2)
Moe's (11) to Qdoba (3)
(tie) Papa Ginos (10) to Dominos (10)
Chocolate Ice Cream (12) to Vanilla Ice Cream (11)
Coke (13) to Pepsi (6)
Fall (15) to Winter (5)
Dogs (12) to Cats (7)
Survivor (10) to American Idol (3)
Hannah Montana (3) to Jonas Brothers (1) (yes, neither received 19 votes!)
Math (11) to History (10)
Rock Band (10) to Guitar Hero (8)
(tie) XBOX 360 (10) to Wii (10)
Democrats (13) to Republicans (2)
Dunkin Donuts (18) to Starbucks (3)
Monday, September 07, 2009
WRITING COMPETITION IS ON!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
EXCITING UPCOMING EVENT!
EXCITING UPCOMING EVENT:
Youth Trivia Showdown
Wednesday, September 16th, 6:30PM
If you're a trivia buff, or just seem to know a lot of useless information, it's time to put your skills to good use! Teens and 'tweens from any central Massachusetts town are invited to the SPLAT "Youth Trivia Showdown!" Covering topics like movies, music, history, science, local interest, and some surprises, this event is something not to miss! Register by calling the Shrewsbury Public Library at 508-842-0081 ext. 5. If you leave a voicemail message, be sure to include your age, town, and phone number. FREE OF CHARGE until slots are filled. Teams will be comprised of members from each community, so we'll see which Central Mass town has the smartest (or luckiest!) teens and 'tweens! There will be free pizza and plenty of prizes!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
New Things!!
In other news...
The library is now circulating "The Way Cool Game of Science" - a series of DVD games that feature Bill Nye the Science Guy. You can check out two at a time - they are shelved behind the DS games.
All right, that's all I've got for now!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Seen Harry Potter Yet?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
New Poll
Well, maybe not, but still - vote in this month's poll to support two of the most popular book series of our time. Do you prefer Harry Potter or Bella Swan? Do you like wizards or vampires? Check back often to see how the voting goes!
Also, welcome Marlboro readers - last month we actually had more readers from Marlboro than Shrewsbury!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Area 609 is now open!!
This is the 2009 Summer Reading Program for Teens and 'Tweens in grades 5-12. Register at the link above (you will have to select the Area 609 tab) to begin entering your books and following clues to win prizes!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Updates!
*The Shrewsbury Public Library is now on reduced hours due to budget cuts. The biggest differences you will see it that we are no longer open on Thursday nights, and every day we open at 10AM as opposed to before where we opened at 9AM on certain days. Also, Saturday, June 27th, will be the final Saturday we are open until the fall.
*The Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union made a generous donation to the library by sponsoring Optimal Resume - an online resume creator that is state of the art. It's never too early to start learning how to write a resume, and it will impress anyone you might be looking to get a job with for the summer. You need a valid library card to log-on (which you can do from home!), but it's free thanks to the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union! For more information, click here.
*We are now taking sign-ups for the Heritage Night. For the event to go off, we need to have people sign up to take different country booths. Find out more information in the previous post (below).
*I am looking for ideas for educational DVDs to purchase - preferably career skills titles. If you have any ideas, e-mail them to me: dbarbour@cwmars.org
*A bunch of new manga is on the way. Thanks to the SHS Manga Club for all of the great suggestions.
Peace!
Dan Barbour
Young Adult Librarian
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Heritage Night - NEW DATE SET
If you don't remember or were too busy to notice what the event is, it's a cultural event run by students in grades 5-12. What you need to do is select a country and prepare a booth in our large meeting room to show off that culture. You do not have to be from that country - you just need to research it. Japan, China, and India have been taken so far, but there are plenty more countries to go around!
Prepare things like snacks, music, outfits, and other items to educate visitors on your chosen country. The country team that puts together the best booth as determined by judges will walk away with a great mystery prize valued at $100 thanks to Dunkin Donuts in Shrewsbury.
Like before, we need at least five booths or the event will be canceled. E-mail me to register or stop by the library. If you had signed up before, you have your country reserved - please just confirm with me that you still want to do the event.
**HELP** Below is a poster I designed to promote the event in town. Please print off as many as you can and put them up everywhere!! If you see a spot with ads, ask if this can be put up too! I really would appreciate your help with this, even if you cannot come to the event! Thanks!

Further information below:
Register your country at the library now. There will be only one booth allowed per country, but no limit to the number of people helping at that booth. The first person to sign up for each country will be in charge of that specific booth, but must provide contact information if others want to help them with that country. Participants have to be in grades 5-12, but do not have to be from the country they are representing. Instead, everyone involved in running a booth must be educated about their chosen country. There is no charge for this event, but people running a booth must provide all of the items and materials.
Thanks,
Dan Barbour
Young Adult Librarian
Shrewsbury Public Library
Monday, June 08, 2009
Dan in Japan
So I can now tell you a little bit of information about "my adventure" as referred to in previous posts. Some of you know that I was cast on the reality program "I Survived a Japanese Gameshow." If you've seen "Hell's Kitchen", it's sort of like that show, but replace cooking with crazy, off-the-wall, colorful games, and a yelling head chef with a comical Japanese host. I cannot legally say any more, other than you can watch the show on ABC beginning on June 17th (a date that has changed recently - the original date was in July) at 9PM.
I hope you watch, cheer me on, and stop by the library to tell me what you thought!
Here are some neat links with more info - please note that I did not write ANY of this information as I am not allowed to give away info until I either win or am eliminated from the show:
Cast Picture and Information
I Survived A Japanese Game Show - Home - ABC.com
Peace!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Memorial Day Poem
Stop and Think
A Memorial Day Poem by Sahil Suresh
Imagine you were outside playing with your friends on May 25,
Take a moment to stop and think on those who helped to make America what it is now,
Memorial Day is the time of the year when we recognize the superior deeds the U.S. Army did for our country,
It’s the time of the year when we realize who were the people that fought for our country,
The people that risk their lives,
Just to protect our country,
The U.S. Army defends our country no matter what,
They are the true audacious and fearless heroes in our life,
Memorial Day is a day not only dedicated to those war heroes,
Such as Grant or Washington,
But to those soldiers whose names are unheard of,
Memorial Day is the day when we identify those soldiers who died,
And let them know that there death wasn’t in vain,
Because these soldiers died for our country,
They molded America into what it is now,
Memorial Day is the day we acknowledge the people that serve our country,
To those who are currently serving our country,
Or to those served our country at one point,
Memorial Day is when we recognize these people,
We acknowledge them not only for the excellent deeds they have done for our country,
But for their Bravery and Courage,
So next time it’s Memorial Day,
Stop and think,
On those that helped to make America what it is now.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, May 04, 2009
WOW!!
Peace,
Dan
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Shrewsbury Teens on TV!!
The show will begin by May 5th, and air for at least two weeks.
SPLAT Teen Writing Competition can be seen on SETV channel 29.
Mondays at 8:30pm & 11pm
Tuesdays at 5:20pm
Wednesdays a t 5:52am
Thursdays a t 4:30pm
Fridays at 6:30pm & 10:30pm
Saturdays at 7pm
This show can be seen at these times until May 17th - when voting closes. The show may air after that, but votes will not be accepted. The contestant who gets the most votes will win a $50 Borders gift card. The voting results will not be revealed until the end of the competition, and the winner will be posted here on or around May 20th.
Feel free to forward this to as many people you know in town! Remember, one vote per computer, so it's up to you to get the word out about voting!
I cannot wait to see how it all turns out, so spread the word and happy voting!!
Sincerely,
Dan Barbour
Young Adult Librarian
Shrewsbury Public Library
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thanks to SETV Channel 29 and Library Trustee Laurie Hogan, the presentations will soon be airing for a two-to-three week period in which online voting will be conducted. The 40 minute program will let the public decide who they think did the best job. The student who receives the most votes will win a special prize!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
We Need Volunteers!
THURSDAY, MAY 28th - 6:00-8:00PM
We are looking for teenagers who can set up booths in our large meeting room to represent different countries.
These participants should:
... come dressed in clothing from their chosen country.
... bring games and toys from their chosen country.
... teach other participants words from the language of their chosen country.
...bring candy and appetizers from their chosen country.
...provide detailed information for participants to take home with them.
Judges will vote on their favorite country booth, and the winners will take home a great prize!
Register your country at the library now. There will be only one booth allowed per country, but no limit to the number of people helping at that booth. The first person to sign up for each country will be in charge of that specific booth, but must provide contact information if others want to help them with that country. So far India and China have been taken.
Participants have to be in grades 5-12, but do not have to be from the country they are representing. Instead, everyone involved in running a booth must be educated about their chosen country. There is no charge for this event, but people running a booth must provide all of the items and materials.


