Escobedo MS will celebrate Teen Read Week™ 2010, Oct. 17-23, with special events and programs aimed at encouraging area teens to read for the fun of it. Thousands of libraries, schools and bookstore across the country will hold similar events centered on this year’s theme, Books with Beat @ your library®, which encourages teens to read a variety of materials, including poetry, audiobooks, books about music, and more.

Teen Read Week(TM) is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association.

“Teens have more activities to fill their free time than ever — web videos, social networking sites, video games, afterschool activities, athletics —and increasingly high expectations in the classroom,” said Mrs. Baca. “It’s important that we show them that reading is something that’s fun and relaxing that they can do for free. And that reading for fun can translate into better performance at school.”

“Many families have learned to make do with less as a result of the economy and have flocked to the library,” Baca. “Teen Read Week is a great time to make sure teens and their families know about all the free services the library can offer them and to reach out to teens who aren’t regular users and encourage them to come see what they can find here.”

Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week(TM) at home, as well. Mrs. Baca offers these ideas:

• Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
• Set aside time each night for the family to read.
• Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
• Share your favorite book with your teen.
• Go online with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA’s Booklists and Book Awards page, www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.
• Join a book discussion group at the school or public library.

Teen Read Week(TM) is held annually during the third week of October. An updated sponsors and supporting organizations list can be found at the Web site, www.ala.org/teenread.

***There are several Teen Read Week activities taking place at the Las Vegas-Clark County Library. Make sure to stop by the Young People’s Library to pick up your Teen Read Week Activity Card. Complete at least three of the eight activities listed for your chance to win a Books with Beat prize! You’ll also get a small prize just for signing up. Contest dates are from October 1-23, 2010. One winner will be selected from each branch. Click the link below for details:

http://www.lvccld.org/teen/trw/2010/