Word Out 2010

Party Invitation: So you think you can dance?

I have to admit that the blog’s title is misleading because I wanted to get everyone’s attention by using the popular show name!

Sanderson library is going to host the end of summer Word Out wrap party on Wednesday, August 25 at 2pm. Not only will we have food and prizes, we will have a gaming station setup so you can play.  Come and join us on August 25 at 2pm and don’t forget to bring your friends. If your local library is not Sanderson, you are still welcome to come. We’re located at the South-East corner of Dundas and Bathurst.

Volunteers needed for Black Creek Living History Project

If you're near the York Woods library and/or interested in local history you may want to check out their Black Creek Living History Project. They're looking for teen volunteers to conduct interviews with area seniors using digital video equipment and to edit the seniors' stories to make up part of an exhibit with an online presence.

Word Out Wrap Parties

We're getting near the end of summer and the end of this year's Word Out.  Quite a few Toronto Public Library branches are holding wrap-up parties with refreshments, prizes and more.  If there's one near you, you should definitely check it out!

Wrap Party Locations

Agincourt | Tuesday, August 17, 2010 | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Bloor/Gladstone Branch | Saturday, August 28, 2010 | 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Barbara Frum | Thursday, August 26, 2010 | 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Malvern | Monday, August 30, 2010 | 2:00 pm -5:30 p.m.

Maria A. Shchuka | Wednesday, September 8, 2010 | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Sanderson | Wednesday, August 25, 2010 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

S. Walter Stewart | Saturday, August 21, 2010 | 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Something noisy is going on at Albion branch...

Via my Albion contacts I am told something's going on there this weekend!

Time: Saturday August 21st, 4-8 PM
Place: Albion Library (in the parking lot)
What's Going On: The urbanNOISE festival, now in its fifth year.

2010 Young Voices Writers Conference- Registration Starts August 17!!!

Express Yourself: Work with professional writers on your creative writing endeavours, meet other youth who like to write, show your stuff at Open Mic, & get published in an instant anthology!

To register or for more information, please call 416-395-5784 or check out:

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/yvconference

Word Out Events!

Just a reminder that you can find out about Word Out events at Toronto Public Library branches in the programs listings of our main website.  There's still a lot going on even with the summer more than half over!

Graphic novelist Adam Bourret at Bloor/Gladstone branch on Saturday, August 28 from 2:00 - 4:00 may be of particular interest, since I know a lot of you are (like me) big fans of graphic novels.

Alan H. is a web librarian at Toronto Public Library.  There are apparently things happening off the Internet now and he wishes someone had told him earlier. :(

Further Down the Spiral

So I like to create avatars.

Yes, yes, I get a little giddy when I'm able to create something that kind of looks like me.  My friends and I can literally spend hours pouring over which nose we should pick.  And the debates can get epic.  Once the avatar is created, admired and then critiqued, we repeat the process.  These avatar creators can literally eat up an entire night.  But that's what I love about them, it is virtually a cheap night in, and I have a blast creating them.

With Scott Pilgrim being one of recommended titles for this Word Out, I thought it was approperiate to take one for the collective team, and then make up a Scott Pilgrim avatar. 

Two main issues with the program:
1) No Tattoo or Piercing Options in the Accessories File.  Also there are some bad-ass belts, and wrist cuffs.

2) I couldn't decide if I wanted either the "metal head", "punk rock rebel", "book nerd" label.  So I had a little meeting with my fellow librarians.  Based on the recommendation of my coworkers, they decided that I was more of a "punk rock rebel." So I had to click for about seven minutes (yes, I counted) until the generator popped up with the label again.  I got a little dizzy, and kinda pukey, but it was worth it in the end. 

here is the final product

 

You can make your own Scott Pilgrim avatar at http://www.scottpilgrimthemovie.com/avatarCreator/

Toronto Elections Poster Contest for Youth

It's not directly connected to Word Out but you may be interested in the "Bring It By Ballot" poster contest Toronto Elections is holding for youth aged 14-24.  There's a chance to win prizes and use your design skills for a good cause--encouraging young people to vote.

More details here