Tech Thursday - Google Maker Camp: Make a Ghoulish Halloween

For many teens, 2013 Summer Maker Camp is but a distant memory. Fear not - over the next few weeks you can re-join Google Maker Camp hosts each Thursday thru Halloween for special Hangout-on-Air sessions, where they will feature their favorite costumes, makeup projects, pumpkin carving...and even a virtual field trip showing what happens after an Alien Invasion!

Schedule:

Thurs. 3 — Welcome to Maker Camp
Thurs. 10 — Macabre Makeup and Costume Design
Thurs. 17 — Fiendish food and the Art of Pumpkin-Carving
Thurs. 24 — Haunted House How-tos and Spooky Alien Fieldtrip
Thurs. 31 — Halloween Parade

Watch the first Halloween Hangout-on-Air:

 

Screenshot of Maker Camp Halloween Edition

Sign up for Maker Camp Alerts: http://makezine.com/maker-camp/sign-up-for-maker-camp/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tech Thursday: Learn to create GIFs

 
GIFs* are all the rage, from serious-minded tutorials to funny and entertaining videos to current news stories. The most recent news-related GIF I saw was a satellite image showing extreme flooding along the Russia/China border.



Alarming Satellite GIFs Show Russia's Extreme Flooding retrieved from http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/alarming-satellite-gifs-russias-extreme-flooding on 9/18/2013


There are lots of really great sites that can teach you how to create these ultra-short movies. The list below is just to get you started:

  
 www.gifsoup.com (has a rotating selection of new and popular GIFs)
 
 
 

 www.makeagif.com in addition to being able to create a GIF from uploaded pictures (typically how it's done), you can also use makeagif to make GIF vids from your webcam or a YouTube url
 
 
 
 

 http://www.supershareware.com/gifs-free/  This is actually a collection of downloadable resources for creating GIFs. While some have an associated fee, there are also several free programs you can download to your computer -- just narrow down the list by clicking on "freeware":

 

--> If you create a GIF (or have created one) we'd love to see it -- just put the link in the comments below.
 

All sites listed above were vetted as "OK" by Norton -- it's a good practice to see reviews of sites to make sure they aren't going to install malicious spyware or adware onto your computer! http://safeweb.norton.com/ 

 
 
 

*Note: This PBS video outlines the history and current -- and profound use of -- animated GIFs. http://video.pbs.org/video/2207348428/

Book Trailer Tuesday: Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

I'll admit that I'm totally obsessed with diseases - to the point where people have told me I should have gone to medical school. Knowing that, you probably shouldn't be surprised when I say that Typhoid Mary is fascinating. Needless to say, after seeing the trailer for Deadly by Julie Chibbaro, I immediately placed the book on hold.

Space Lab

"Your experiment, 250 miles above Earth, for the world to see. What will you do?"

From Space Lab:

We're asking you to come up with a science experiment for space and upload a video explaining it to YouTube. If your idea wins, it will be performed on the International Space Station and live streamed on YouTube to the world. And we'll throw in some out-of-this-world prizes, too.

We're excited to announce YouTube Space Lab, launching with Lenovo and Space Adventures in cooperation with NASA, ESA and JAXA. Watch amazing space and science videos and, if you're 14 to 18 years old, submit a space experiment idea for your chance to win out-of-this-world prizes. Find out more at Space Lab.

From Space Lab's FAQ's:

• We'll be accepting entries from around the world from October 4th to December 7th, 2011.


• The finalist voting period on the YouTube channel will be from January 3rd to January 10th, 2012.


• All the regional winners will win a special prize trip in March 2012 to the USA at which the global winners will be announced.


• The global winners' experiments will be performed by astronauts on the International Space Station and live streamed on YouTube around the world in mid 2012.

Anne's Favorite Music Video of the Moment

Our Teen Tech Month guest blogger for today is Anne the Oak Harbor Library Teen Library. Anne loves books, like any great librarian, but is equally passionate about music:

I LOVE LCD Soundsystem - and who can argue with the muppets? This is a great video... the reactions of the people on the street say it all. Who can keep a frown when the muppets are at work? Not me! And if you're not listening to LCD Soundsystem yet, you should be. Dance yourself clean, indeed!



Seems like a good mashup of music and pop culture, eh?

Cheers!

You Killed Wesley Payne by Sean Beaudoin: Now With Giveaway!

This book trailer is the best I've seen in a while, so I thought I'd share.

We are still waiting for this to be released, but you can place a hold on You Killed Wesley Payne by local author Sean Beaudoin!

Don't forget to submit a review when you finish, and let us know what you thought!

Hey - I've just learned that we actually have a free copy of this to give away! Let me know what you think of the trailer, and why that makes you want to read this book, and I'll pick a random commenter to win! You've got until midnight on Thursday February 3 to comment (and don't forget about that other giveaway, too!).

Only students in grades 6-12 who can pick their winnings up at one of the 21 Sno-Isle Libraries are eligible to win.

Upcoming Movies Based on Awesome Teen Books

I Am Number Four is just the latest in the slew of teen books becoming movies, according to Word & Film.

All of these movies will soon be heading to a large screen near you. If you haven't already read them, be sure to place them on hold before everybody else catches on:

Fallen by Lauren Kate


Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (but you guys are all over this one!)


Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
According to the article, "Taylor Lautner is attached to star." (!!!)



Matched by Ally Condie


The Maze Runner by James Dashner


The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Read the full article for the full scoop!

Which of these are you most excited about? Have you got your eye on a different movie you can't wait to see? Share in the comments and one commenter will win an ADVANCE COPY of Lauren Oliver's DELIRIUM. It's not out until February, and the library hasn't even purchased it yet. While you wait you can place yourself on hold for Oliver's first book, Before I Fall.

Comment by midnight on Friday, January 28th, and I'll announce the winner on Saturday!

Only students in grades 6-12 who can pick their winnings up at one of the 21 Sno-Isle Libraries are eligible to win.

How Twilight Should Have Ended

*snickers*

via Bookshelves of Doom

Libraries & Flash Mobs

Flash mobs fascinate me. I've never participated in one (although I had a chance a few weekends ago; I was too cold and tired to make the effort), but it seems like a surprising amount of them happen in libraries.

For instance:





and, closer to home:





While this one isn't in a library, it is the first I ever saw, and still my favorite:



What do you guys think about flash mobs? Have you participated in one? Would you? If you were to put together a flash mob, what would you have people do? Where would you do it?

Give me insight and one of you'll win an ADVANCE copy of PINK by Lili Wilkinson, which hasn't even come out yet! Regular readers won't be able to get it until FEBRUARY!

You've got until midnight on January 6th to enter!

Only students in grades 6-12 who can pick their winnings up at one of the 21 Sno-Isle Libraries are eligible to win.

(and I'm still looking for Sarah R to contact me from this post!)

LOTS of SECRETS!

Looks good, doesn't it? The author will be at Lynnwood Library (!!) on Tuesday, August 17 at 4pm leading a writing workshop: Keeping Secrets: Creating Characters Who Turn the Page

Official Blurb: "Join author Holly Cupala (Tell Me a Secret) as she shares her secrets about creating realistic characters who have depth, flaws and something they aren't telling."

We will be giving away TWO free signed copies (one from Ms. Cupala, one from Lynnwood Friends of the Library) of TELL ME A SECRET to workshop attendees!

If you can't make it to the workshop for a chance at one of the free books, place a hold on Tell Me a Secret!

In my humble opinion, the above book trailer is one of the best I've ever seen. Share a link, in the comments, to one of YOUR favorite book trailers and be entered into a drawing to win a copy of:

Queen of Secrets by Jenny Meyerhoff
"Fifteen-year-old Essie Green, an orphan who has been raised by her secular Jewish grandparents in Michigan, experiences conflicting loyalties and confusing emotions when her aunt, uncle, and cousin move back from New York, and her very religious cousin tries to fit in with the other football players at Essie's high school, one of whom is Essie's popular new boyfriend."

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 17th, so you have until midnight on the 16th to share your favorite book trailer!

(And don't forget to enter The Chronicles of Nick giveaway! Deadline is Thursday!)

MOCKINGJAY Trailer!

I can't believe we haven't posted this!!!



Place your hold on Mockingjay now! The book is released on August 24th, and I'm hoping I'll be able to find it in the airport bookstore - 'cause I CANNOT wait until after my vacation to read it!

In the meantime, what do you think will happen in Mockingjay? Will Katniss prevail against the Capitol? Is Peeta alive? If he is, will Katniss end up with Gale or Peeta?

Tell us what you think will happen in the comments, and we'll choose one random winner who will receive a hardcover copy of The Chronicles of Nick: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon (which currently has 64 holds!).

The Chronicles of Nick: Infinity
"Streetwise, tough, and savvy, Nick and his quick sarcasm are the stuff of legend... until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. With his fellow students turning into flesh-eating zombies, how can he stop them... without getting grounded by his mom?"

The lucky winner will be announced on Friday, August 13th, so you have until midnight on Thusday, August 12th to share your predictions!

Online Anime

I know that most of you die-hard anime fans already know how and where to get your fix, but Viz has just opened their own free streaming site, Viz Anime. It's got Bleach, One Piece, Death Note, Honey and Clover, Naruto and other popular anime.

Don't forget that we accept your purchase suggestions for CDs, DVDs, and, of course, books. Just start here to ask the library to buy the items YOU want to see on our shelves.

via SLJ

Remember that Super Bowl ad that made you a bit weepy?

You know, that Google search one.

Was that just me?

Well. Ok, then.

Aaaanyway, Google has created a site where you can make a Search Story yourself.

It's a little too late to use this for the Video Contest (which, by the way, have you voted yet?), but it's pretty fun to play around with.

Here's my favorite:

But I'm always seeking ways to survive the ZA.

Make one! Share the link for it in the comments!

Via The Happy Accident

PS-- Check out the Zombie booklist!

New Video Contest Entry!

Entries for our third annual video contest are rolling in!

Check out the latest:



Take a look at all of the entries so far.

You've got until March 31st to enter here.

Book Trailer Contest Entry!

Here's entry #1 in our Teen Tech Month Book Trailer Contest! I loved Sherri L. Smith's Flygirl, so I'm really excited that BlueberrySlurp was inspired by it too.

Now if anyone was to make a trailer for the Meg Powers quartet, I'd probably fall over in rapture. Not that I'm setting anyone a challenge or anything... (hint: yes I am).

IF you think you can do better than BlueberrySlurp, or you want to make all my book trailer wishes come true, you have until March 31st to enter here!

Need some inspiration?

Don't forget to submit your entry into our teen video contest this month!

If you need some inspiration, take a look at 2008 and 2009's entries, but remember, this year, you can also create videos that promote the library.

If you are really thinking outside of the box and want to set your video in the library, talk to your local teen librarian. They'll probably work something out with you. Find and contact yours here.

Teen Fire

Do your friends just not understand your love of books? Are you searching for the right community to get your nerd on in safe online anonymity? Well, the publisher Sourcebooks may have the social network for you.

Teen Fire has book groups, forums, chat, authors, contests, free stuff, and other nifty (yes, I AM that old) features. Users even have the ability to create their own profiles and pages. There's even a whole section devoted to videos of teens and their favorite books (which reminds me - you are working on your entry to our video contest, right? ;))

Check it out. You never know. You might just love it.

via SLJ

We shoulda made one of these

after the Darrington Library re-opened last fall!

Library Re-Opening (Aaron Andzik) - watch more funny videos

via Top Shelf

Win an 8GB iPod Touch and Signed Audiobooks!

The Fantasy Road Trip Contest from Listening Library:

"If you could go on a fantasy road trip with a character (or characters!) from your favorite series, where would you go? What would you do along the way? How would you travel? Create a video and show us!

Best selling authors Libba Bray, Tamora Pierce and Rick Riordan will judge the videos and choose 3 grand prize winners!"



Read the complete rules.

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Ok, I know that no matter what you will always read the next book by Sarah Dessen. I know that you don't need any convincing or even notice that there's going to be another book. I know this. But I still think this author trailer is cool. And so I'm sharing it with you.



Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen comes out on June 15th, and you can reserve your copy now (at this very moment you'll be number 80-something in line. Sorry!).

If you are new to the cult of Dessen, check out her site and, especially, her blog.