Programs

The Quincy Public Library hosts programs for teens monthly- in addition Teens can participate in theTeen Advisory Board or Project Next Generation.

Teen Advisory Board

Mission Statement

The Quincy Public Library Teen Advisory Board is a group of local area teens who want to make the Public Library a better place for teens. This group is open to all teens in the area. Teens meet every month on the second Wednesday of the month to discuss programming, book selection and other teen-related issues.  Teens make ideas happen.

The aim of the board is to make the Library more visible for teens so they will know what great free resources are right here in Quincy.  Teens also have an opportunity to participate in library decisions.  When you join the Teen Advisory Board you get to share your opinions, make decisions concerning the Library, and meet new friends in a dynamic and innovative setting.  As a board member, you also get to participate in fun events such as the Summer Reading Program, Blues in the Park, the Dogwood Parade and Riverfest.   Board members also volunteer and work in the community at Library sponsored events.  So, if you want your voice to be heard and you care about the public Library, apply for the Teen Advisory Board today!  All are welcome!

The Quincy Public Library Teen Advisory Board is committed to providing teens with information, materials and programs they need to help them meet lifelong learning, cultural and recreational needs, while at the same time, encouraging volunteerism to promote good citizenship and literacy in our community.

What do we do?

Volunteer Projects:  The Teen Advisory Board helps with children's programming by cutting out materials for crafts, folding newsletters, decorating for children's events and assisting with puppet shows when needed.  Teens also help set up and tear down for the library's bi-annual book sale as well as work for major library events such as the Summer Reading Kick-off.  Teens can also be found serving refreshments or ushering at adult programs.

Develop Teen Collection:  Members of the Teen Advisory Board assist the Young Adult Programmer and Children's librarian with the young adult book selection.  Teens recommend titles and help select CD's, comics and magazines.

Plan Teen Programming:  The Teen Advisory Board along with the Young Adult Programmer design and execute teen programs at the library.  TAB members brainstorm ideas and recommend fun and informational programs that would be of interest to teens.

Publish a Newsletter:  TAB members assist in the publication of a monthly newsletter for teens entitled, "What's Up!"  Teens are encouraged to submit poetry, book and movie reviews and any articles of interest to the editorial board.

Book Discussion Group:  Teens meet monthly after the Teen Advisory Board meeting to discuss a new book.  Titles for book discussion are selected at the previous month's Teen Advisory Board meeting.

If you are interested in joining the Teen Advisory Board, click here to apply. (Please print, fill out, and return the pdf form to the Quincy Public Library).

Project Next Generation

It's all about kids.

Project Next Generation is back for its eighth year at the Quincy Public Library! The Quincy Public Library is one of about thirty libraries in the State of Illinois chosen to participate in Secretary of State Jesse White' s Project Next Generation.  The program, which started in 1999, is designed to encourage middle and junior high school students to participate in using the newest computer technology such as digital cameras, scanners, wireless keyboards, laptop computers, streaming video and various software packages. The primary goal of the program is to provide opportunities for personal development as well as to motivate students to reach new levels of achievement and self-esteem. As it expands into new areas of the state, the program continues to be incredibly successful in a number of Illinois libraries.  Quincy Public Library has been a participating member since the program's inception.

On April 3, 2007,  the Library celebrated the completion of the seventeenth session with returning mentors Nancy Dolan, Deborah Riddell and Andrew Scott..  Students this term used Microsoft Access, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher and Word to do projects on topics such as Internet Safety and favorite actress or actor. Students also created a commerical using digital editing software.   View the web pages designed by students in earlier sessions: pages created  by Adam, Dakota, Jessica, Olivia and Sidney.  New equipment was provided by the Illinois State Library in 2004.  The program received a desktop computer, five laptop computers, a tablet PC, a printer/scanner, two new digital cameras, and a digital video camcorder.  All of the new equipment taps into a wireless network.

Quincy Public Library expects funding to continue Project Next Generation in the Fall of 2007.  Nancy Dolan and Deborah Riddell will be back as lead mentors, with Andrew Scott as the third mentor and technology specialist.  Eight teens each session are invited to complete a prescribed curriculum, and after graduation they are asked to go back to their classrooms to share their knowledge with other students. For more information, visit http://findit.sos.state.il.us/nextgen/index.htm

Project Next Generation graduates and mentors  from the Fall Session of 2007.