Library notes [June 01, 2009]  Teen video contest This summer teens can enter a contest by creating a DVD-format "commercial" to promote the Lincoln Public Library District. Up to four teens may work on a video together. All finished videos must be turned in no later than July 17 to be considered. Entry rules and content requirements are available in the Youth Services Department in the Annex. Teens! Win a Wii In addition to the standard weekly drawings during the Teen Summer Reading Program, teens can choose to enter the special drawing to win a Wii game system. Rules are available in the Youth Services Department in the Annex.

The Lincoln Public Library is located at 725 Pekin St., with adult nonfiction and reference materials in the historic Carnegie Building. In the Annex Building directly behind are adult fiction and the Youth Services Department. All library events are free and open to the public. On the Web, visit www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org. Hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone [phone] for adult services and 217-732-5732 for youth services.

NoveList

Now on the library Web site are links to NoveList, an online database of fiction titles for adults, and NoveList K-8, specifically for elementary and middle school children. Logging in with your Lincoln Public Library District card number will let you search for books by author, title, series or description of a plot. Click on "Author Read-alikes" to help you find authors who write in a similar genre that you enjoy reading. Also investigate "Award Winners," "Book Discussion Guides" or "Feature Articles" for a wealth of information. You can even establish a file to keep lists of titles for future reading, as you are sure to find more titles than you can read at one time.

Miss Lou's blog

Louella Moreland, youth services librarian, has a blog that can be found by linking through the library Web site. She will discuss new books, introduce programs, take polls and ask for your ideas. Check it out.

Check your electrical usage

The library has an EZ Watt meter for checkout. Use the meter in your home or business to determine the costs to operate your electrical devices. It is available in the Carnegie Building.

Wi-Fi at the library

Both buildings are Wi-Fi-compatible. Simply bring in your Internet-accessible device and take advantage of this free service.

Holiday closing

The Lincoln Public Library District will be closed July 4, Independence Day.

Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program has started! Sign-up week is June 1-6, but if you're unable to register then, just come in as soon as you can to get started. This year's theme is "Read on the Wild Side!" Planned activities include reading for benchmark prizes, story time, craft time and Thursday morning entertainment. There are appropriate levels for children 6 months through teens. The teen program runs a slightly shorter schedule of June 8 through July 18. The Thursday events this month are Madcap Puppets on June 11, Illinois raptors on June 18 and Nitro Joe on June 25.

Upcoming events

The Summer Reading Program will continue through July 25. Keep reading to reach your goal for the summer, and check the bulletin board to see how your school is progressing toward its goal. Exciting Thursday morning events will continue with four more entertainment programs.

Live Homework Help

Log on to www.lincolnpubliclibrary.org to get help from a live tutor. The one-on-one help is available to kindergarten through adult learners in math, science, English, social studies and writing. Use your Lincoln Public Library card number to log in.

[Text from file received from Marlene Perry, Lincoln Public Library]