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Salt Lake Teens Write Spring Workshop

2/28/2022

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by Stephanie C., Main Library
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We've been posting a variety of writing prompts and contests throughout the last year, from 100 Word Stories, to the Write Global Essay Contest. Another creative writing event coming up soon is Salt Lake Teens Write, a workshop for teens, led by the Salt Lake Community College Community Writing Center.

The Community Writing Center, or CWC, is located downtown on Library Square, in the plaza outside of the Main Library. The CWC offers a variety of resources for the whole community. That's right, you don't have to be a student of SLCC to use their services! The best part, especially for teens, is that their one-on-one coaching and teen writing workshops are FREE. 

The next Salt Lake Teens Write event is coming up in March. SLTW is a three week workshop where teens will meet with writing mentors, and each other, twice a week to develop their skills and passion for creative writing. The theme for the March 2022 workshop is Making it Personal. This session will focus on personal writing, including journaling, poetry, memoir, college essay writing, writing for social justice, and more. The workshop runs March 8-25 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and you do need to register to participate. Visit the CWC Teens Write page for more details and a link to the application.  

Each Teens Write workshop features a different theme, so if you can't make it this Spring, stay tuned for details about the upcoming summer and fall 2022 sessions. 

You can also checkout writing from the last Salt Lake Teens Write Anthology here. The next anthology will be compiled in November 2022, so it's not too late to submit your own work. 

Happy writing!

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15 Writing Prompts for Self Discovery

2/22/2022

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by Saia, Glendale branch
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As a writer and an educator, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how I can use my writing to connect to myself and others. I strive to take what I have learned from what I write and apply it to what I teach. Lately, I have been circling back to topics that surround self discovery and identity. 

Identity is something that we as humans continually discover. Some things that can help us on this journey are the things that we value, the names that we take on or reject, and the relationships that we have with others. 

Writing has been a way for me to peel back the layers of who I am. I have a list of 15 writing prompts that have helped me to reflect on who I am and the kind of person that I want to be. I hope this can help you on your journey too. 


  • Names
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  1. What is your name/last name? 
  2. Who named you? 
  3. Does your name have a meaning? If so, what is it? 
  4. Why were you given that name? 
  5. Why are names important? 
 
  • Values 
 
  1. What do you care about? 
  2. Why do you care about those things? 
  3. What is something about the world that you think should be changed? 
  4. How would you be a part of changing it? 
  5. What stops you from making that change happen? 
 
  • Dig Deeper
 
  1. Name 5 things you know to be true about yourself. 
  2. If your skin could speak, what would it say? 
  3. Write a eulogy for yourself. 
  4. What makes people lie? What makes you lie? 
  5. What does it take for you to trust in someone? 

Part of the process of self discovery is to share what you have learned. I invite you to share your writing with a trusted friend or family member- anyone that you feel comfortable with.  If you would like to share with us here at the City Library you can submit your writing here. 

Happy writing:) 

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Platonic Books

2/14/2022

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by Lexi, Day-Riverside Branch
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Lately, it seems like February is all about love. Romance, dating, hand-holding, candlelight, and on and on. If you are getting a little bit sick of it you are not alone. Here are 5 books to combat that. Following is a list of books spotlighting aromantic and/or asexual protagonists and featuring platonic relationships! . 


Before we get started, here are a few terms to help you out! Asexual is used to describe a person with little to no interest in sexual contact with another person. Aromantic defines a person who has no interest in romantic relationships, (trust us, they are different)! Ace stands for asexual. Aro stands for aromantic. So, an aroace character is an aromantic, asexual character. Simple!
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Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Let’s follow Rumi, a young musician, on her journey through a tragedy, a move to Hawaii and feelings of abandonment. The journey is worth it, because Rumi is easily one of our top aroace protagonists. Just hearing her thoughts makes it all worthwhile. Click here to find it in our catalog.
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Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia

There’s no doubt about it, friendship is at the center of this moxy-filled venture. Lita and Chicky are dead set on pulling off the ultimate underdog story in history, a hefty-yet-not-impossible task. As Lita and Chicky work together to redefine beauty standards we get to see the dictionary-definition of friendship. Click here to find it in our catalog.
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The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow

Seventeen-year-old ace Ellie is living in one of the strangest dystopian cities ever written about, where music, art and books are illegal and emotions can be grounds for execution! Ellie gets to know M0Rr1s, who was born in a lab and raised to be emotionless and the two of them embark on a dangerous trip to bring down a destructive system. Click here to find it in our catalog.
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Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

This is a beautiful, haunting story of asexual friendship and love. Corey (another great asexual protagonist), has to unravel the last messy year of her life and a move to Alaska all at once. This is the story of a girl who believes in heroes and wants to be one herself. Click here to find it as a book in our catalog or here for the eBook copy!
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Not Even Bones by Rebecca Shaeffer

Let’s take a left turn into the horror genre to meet Nita, an excellent aroace character. What’s the daughter of a murderer to do when she gets sold for her organs? Don’t worry, Nita will show us what to do in style! Click here to find it in our catalog.

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Getting Started With Gardening

2/7/2022

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by Christina O., Day-Riverside Branch
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Winter is coming to an end soon and we will hopefully be seeing a green and lush spring in a few months! Here are some gardening tips and reasons why you should get into gardening this spring. 

Choose your veggies and plants!


A good way to not waste your time is to grow food and plants you already like to eat and want to look at. Look at your fridge. What have you been into lately and what have you been avoiding? Make a list of your favorites and plan on grabbing seeds either at the Main library’s seed library, or at your local branch! You can find information about your local seed library here.

I know I will be growing  loads of squash this upcoming season, and a lot of wild flowers for the bees!

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​Plan out your space!


​It’s important to be realistic. I know I would love to grow corn, but my apartment balcony would get too crowded, so I will be sticking to plants that I can grow in containers. For more information on container gardening you can visit the link here .

If you have a lawn, grab your adults and brainstorm how you can work the soil and what would work best in your space. 

You can always look for community gardens in your neighborhood! They are a great way to get involved in the community and you can learn from other experienced gardeners. For information about community gardens in your area you can visit communitygarden.org/garden

Why should you garden?


If you made it this far and are wondering what the point is: did you know gardening makes you happy! It’s been scientifically proven that getting your hands in the soil and in contact with a specific soil bacteria called Mycobacterium Vaccae triggers the release of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a natural antidepressant and also strengthens the immune system, so it’s a win-win there!
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Help your community!


Have you ever wondered how long it takes to grow a tomato or a piece of lettuce? Or who harvested the food at the grocery store? Learning about where your food comes from and how it gets to you is an important part of the fight against food insecurity in your community. Below I have listed a few books you can check out at your local library to learn more!
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Book Recommendations
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I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t recommend some books you can find in our catalog. 

For beginner gardeners 
  • Beginner gardening step by step 
  • Rodale's basic organic gardening : a beginner's guide to starting a healthy garden
  • How to grow your own food : an illustrated beginner's guide to container gardening
  • Growing plants and flowers : all the know-how you need to plant and tend outdoor areas using eco-friendly methods

For Food Justice 
  • Food justice
  • Rebuilding the foodshed : how to create local, sustainable, and secure food systems

 See you this spring out in the sun!


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