by Stephanie H., Sprague Branch

by Stephanie C., Main Library

Young poets and aspiring wordsmiths are invited to enter The City Library’s Third Annual Teen Poetry Contest!

This year’s theme is “All Together Now.” Local teens entering grades 9–12 in the Fall are eligible to submit their original work. Winners will receive a cash prize and a chance to read their work at a live event happening on July 29th at 1PM. Winning poems will also be shared on BiblioBoard and the Library’s Teen Blog.

The submission period goes from May 1–July 15. Winning poems will be selected by a panel of librarians, teachers, and other community members. 

For more information, please visit slcpl.org/poetry

Happy writing!

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by Lexi, Day-Riverside Branch

Did you know that it is not a requirement for teachers to help you prepare for the ACT Test?
It's actually something all students are supposed to work on independently.
But guess what! It doesn't need to be independent - come join our ACT Study Sessions at the Library!

You'll find yourself alongside students from West High, SLCSE, PHA, Hunter High School (and more!), working with college tutors to get a better grasp on your English, Math, Science and Reading sections. If you attend twice you get to keep an ACT Study book for your very own! The University of Utah's Bennion Center volunteers have a clear grasp on all things ACT and will help you with the parts of the test you want to focus on most. 

We always have snacks and would be thrilled to help you achieve your test goals  Study Sessions run from January 19th-April 9th. Registration is available but not required! 

We meet on Thursdays at Marmalade 3:30-5pm and on Saturdays at Day-Riverside 1-2:30pm. 

Visit slcpl.org/events for more details.

by Stephanie H., Sprague Branch

After that we added plants to the terrarium. A variety of philodendrons, peperomias and ferns are in our terrarium as they do well in humid environments. Finally the isopods are added. We started with 10 isopods and their colony has grown since then! The isopods eat leaf litter and decaying materials, which help keep the terrarium clean and free of mold. The terrarium also has a row of LED grow lights on top to ensure that the plants get the full spectrum of sunlight.
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Bioactive terrariums are a very fun hobby to get into. Make sure to check ours out the next time you come to Sprague!
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by Claire, Anderson-Foothill Branch

by Christine, Chapman Branch

Helpful equipment to bring with you when visiting Salt Lake City’s haunted spots: a pen and paper to track your observations, voice recorder, camera, flashlight, extra batteries, and a mobile phone for emergencies. As you gain more experience and interest, you may wish to invest in video cameras, digital laser thermometers, even electromagnetic radiation detectors!

Locations that traditionally have more paranormal activity include: battlefields, forts, cemeteries, schools, and houses. If you’ve completed the scavenger hunt and would like to continue your investigations, start with some of those locations. 

Before you go: do some research on your location. What is its haunted history? This will help prepare you for potential challenges and learn about any reported paranormal sightings in the area. Check out the location during the day so you will be familiar with it. 

Never investigate alone! It’s safer and more fun to work with a partner or group. And as an added bonus, if you see something interesting, you will have witnesses!

Be respectful of property owners and spirits. Always ask permission to conduct a paranormal investigation and never trespass after hours or on private property. Talk to the spirits, let them know you mean no harm, and ask permission to take pictures. When you leave, thank them and ask them not to follow you. Leave the location as you found it. 

Follow your instincts. If you feel like taking a picture of something, do it. If you feel an overwhelming need to leave, follow that instinct. 

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