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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 19, 2008 - 29 Time for teens@ your library T his fall, encourage your teens to discover and develop their creative flair with the Oakville Public Library's Teen Programming. Beginning with the information meeting of the 2008 Teen Book Club on Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 7 to 8 p.m., teens can register to join the book club, which will be discussing books with the theme Authors From Around the World. The book club meets in the Auditorium of Central Branch and refreshments are always served. The club will meet six times during the year to discuss six titles written by international authors. Our teens choose the books that they read and take the lead in running the club. The book club is a great way to meet other teens and garner ideas for reading and writing in a fun and stimulating environment. Registration is required to attend the Teen Book Club, so teens must sign up at the information night. Stuart Ross, well-known Toronto fiction writer, poet and editor, will be offering his expertise to our teens during a scheduled Poetry Workshop at Central Branch. The workshop will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. and will welcome teens to explore poetry in an encouraging atmosphere. Ross has been active in the Canadian poetry scene for more than 30 years, is the co-founder of the Toronto Small Press Book Fair and has appeared at festivals across the country. Elise C. Cole, teen services librarian thinks that Stuart's workshops are a fantastic opportunity for teens. "Teenagers will love this workshop -- Stuart Ross encourages the students to arrive with an open mind and believes they will leave with a heap of new poems and writing strategies," said Cole. Teens must register for the free workshop and space is limited, so those interested should contact our Teen Services Librarian to get on the list. Our annual Teen Writing Contest, Write2Xpress, now entering its fourth year, is a popular competition amongst the teens of Oakville. You may already have spotted the eye-catching and original displays at many of our branches that match the theme for this year's competition. The phrase, "May I call you a cab?" must be included in the short story of 1,500 words to be submitted by Oct. 19. Teenagers must be residents of Oakville or attend an Oakville school in Grades 7 to 12. For details and contest rules, teens are encouraged to pick up a Write2Xpress official entry form available from any library branch or visit www.opl.on.ca and click on the Events/Programs tab, then Teens section. Winners of the competition will be announced at the Write2Xpress Awards Night to be held on Nov. 20 at the Central Branch Library's Auditorium. Competition winners will be presented with one of nine gift certificates to Oakville Place Mall. The Oakville Public Library is delighted to offer so many quality opportunities for teens to become involved in their libraries and showcase their talents. Cole knows how much teens need these outlets. "Our teens are bundles of energy and enthusiasm who are always looking for creative ways to contribute to our community. They are imaginative and need to have the guidance and means to access the tools needed to develop their talents in a responsible manner. I think that our teen programming reaches out and engages teenagers all across Oakville and I am excited about our future endeavors," said Cole. For more information on any of our Teen Services, contact Cole at ecole@oakville.ca. -- Submitted by the Oakville Public Library GoodLife Welcomes Family Fitness and Exclusively Women's to the Family! JOIN TODAY! $ PER MONTH for the first 2 months of a 1 year membership!* Town Centre Coed Club 300 North Service Road West 1 905-337-7244 Oak Park Superstore Women's Club 201 Oak Walk Drive 905-257-4728 GoodLife Exclusively Women's 1515 Rebecca St. FAMILY FITNESS 905-469-1150 *When joining, you will sign for 1 year and pay $2 + applicable taxes for the first 2 months. Bi-weekly payments for the third and subsequent months will be based on the regular fee of the selected membership. Regular membership fees vary based on club and membership option chosen. A $49 fitness assessment fee applies to select clubs. Offer available only through the PAP membership option chosen. Offer valid at participating clubs only and ends September 30th, 2008.