Vote for the Teens' Top Ten!

Voting has opened for YALSA's 2018 Teens' Top Ten! Teens can vote for their favorites between now and October 13th. The Teens' Top Ten will be announced on October 15th. This is one of the few best-of booklists that is chosen entirely by teens, so let your voice be heard on which books are the best of the best!

Check out the list of nominees below. The links will take you to our catalog, so you can request a hold on a copy.

The nominees are:

All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

Book of Lies by Teri Terry

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

The Disappearances by Emily Bain Murphy

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller*

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Paper Hearts by Ali Novak*

Remember Me Always by Renee Collins*

Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne*

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Warcross by Marie Lu

Waste of Space by Gina Damico

Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

*Starred titles are not yet available at the library, but keep checking back!

Spotlight on DVD Teen Hangout

Dorris Van Doren has programs for teens (ages 12-18) all year round. Teen Hangout takes place every Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Among some of the programs we had this summer were a Scott Pilgrim Interactive Movie Screening, rock painting, and more!

In keeping with the Summer Reading Program theme, Libraries Rock, teens were invited to create guitar pick jewelry. Among their creations were keychains, charm bracelets, necklaces, and many pairs of earrings. 

Teens also flocked to the library to take part in a Rock this Escape Room program, in which they were given a series of puzzles to solve in 90 minutes. Solving each puzzle led them to open the locks on a lockbox within the room. Teens worked together on the puzzles, flexing their teamwork and critical thinking skills.

Ultimately the group of teens were able to solve all the puzzles and open the box in just over 90 minutes.

Our teens participated in a Wreck this T-Shirt program this July. Each teen was provided a t-shirt and they were encouraged to design or redesign it in any way they like. They also learned how to make iron-on stencils for use with fabric spray paint.

Even though school is back in session for most of our teens, the fun still continues! Our latest Teen Hangout event gave our teens the opportunity to make their own plushies! They cut out patterns, sewed and stuffed their plushies.

We have a lot of fun programs planned for the fall, including a Haunted Escape Room, button making, papel picado, and much more!

El Paso Public Library rocks!

Summer is in full swing at the Dorris Van Doren Regional Library. We are excited to see so many people dropping in to check out books, use our computers, and come in from of the 100+ degree heat! Most of all, we're thrilled that so many people have signed up to join this year's summer reading program. So far, we've signed up over 350 people of all ages to commit themselves to reading this summer! To sign up, please go to: http://www.wandooreader.com/elpasolibrary/readingrocks or drop by the Information Desk during your next library visit. The program lasts until August 4th.

While supplies last, all participants who turn in a reading log (paper or digital) showing they've read at least 8 books receive their choice of a Libraries Rock tote bag or a set of earbuds.

Children and teens additionally have the opportunity to earn a free book for every 8 books they read. 

Summer also means fun programs for kids and teens. In addition to our regular storytimes at 11am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, we have fun activities for children every Thursday morning at 11am.

We also have cool things for teens to do every Thursday afternoon at 4:30pm.

Don't forget the Teen Writing Club is also meeting this summer, every other Wednesday at 4:30pm. The upcoming dates for summer are June 27, July 11, and July 25. 

We hope that you will join us this summer!

Congratulations, Maria!

The Dorris Van Doren Regional Library is excited to announce that one of our staff members, through her hard work and diligence, has entered the profession of librarianship.

After years of study, Maria Maese graduated with a Masters of Library Science from the University of North Texas' School of Information Science on Saturday, May 12.

We are all very proud of her, and we look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next in her career with the El Paso Public Library. Congratulations, Maria!

Teen Hangout Spring Wrap-Up!

The school year is winding down, and the Dorris Van Doren Library is getting ready for summer. But we're also looking back at all the fun Teen Hangout programs we've held this spring, which have included a Fiesta Flower Crown Workshop and making paper sun catchers (as seen above). 

This creative bunch of teens have made decoupage photo frames...

decorated wall plates to brighten up their rooms...

painted flower pots in celebration of Earth Day...

and celebrated Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) by participating in a Breakout Room.

Our annual Summer Reading Club begins June 2, and we have a lot of incredible programming planned for our teens, beginning with a School's Out for the Summer Celebration on Thursday, March 31 at 4:30pm. 

Check back with us soon for our full summer calendar of events! We look forward to seeing you this summer!

New Garden Coming Soon!

Springtime has come to the Dorris Van Doren Regional Library, and with it, a brand new garden located in our teen patio. So far, library staff have planted tomatillo, tomato, jalapeno, carrot and lettuce seeds in the garden. Now, we all wait to see the outcome of their labor.

The seeds used in the garden were acquired from the library's seed collection, part of the Sow.Grow.Reap.Eat program, now entering its second year. The Sow.Grow.Reap.Eat program launched seed libraries at all El Paso Public Library locations. Library patrons can check out up to five seed packets per season from a selection of several dozen types of seeds. These seed packets are free and, unlike our other materials, do not need to be returned.

We hope you will join us in watching the outcome of our garden. Please read the blog in the coming weeks for further updates on how the garden is progressing.

For more information about our seed libraries, including how to grow your own garden, please visit the program's website: https://sowgrowreapeat.weebly.com

Easter's on its way!

The Dorris Van Doren Regional Library is preparing for Easter by raffling off an Easter basket! For every 10 items a patron checks out from our library, they'll receive a ticket to enter the raffle. All ages are invited to enter, and multiple entries are encouraged! 

The Easter basket is filled with goodies, such as a plush Snoopy with a copy of It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown! on DVD, an Easter themed book, candy-filled Easter eggs, Marshmallow Peeps, and a Russell Stover chocolate bunny!

Also, don't forget to join us on Friday, March 30 at 3 PM for a special visit from the Easter Bunny! There will also be Easter stories and treats for the kids in attendance.