MLS Soccer Stars Kick-Off Teen Read Week;
Urge Teens to Get Active @ your library
Libraries Nationwide Celebrate Teen Read Week October 15-21, 2006

Teenagers today have many things vying for their attention. From iPods and IMing to video games to fantasy sports, the options can seem limitless. However, two options have withstood the test of time to provide hyper-stimulated teens with entry into unique worlds with limitless boundaries and unparalleled opportunities: the pages of books and the surfaces of athletic fields around the country.

“Reading can transport and playing sports can transform teen’s lives,” said Judy Nelson, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) President. “But with so many choices available today, it can be difficult to reach teens.

That’s why this year’s Teen Read Week co-chairs embrace both sports and reading. For Major League Soccer (MLS) players Los Angeles Galaxy Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and Chicago Fire Midfielder Chris Armas reading is not only a basic survival skill but it offers welcome relaxation after a day on the field.

As an adult, Hartman has fond memories of his early library experiences. My favorite librarian is the one who taught me how to use the Dewey Decimal System at Belle Hethe Elementary School in Radford, VA. She helped me locate all of my favorite books. After classes, I’d hang out in the library while my mom, a teacher, would finish up her work. It was a pretty good setup.” Kevin’s favorite book of all time is “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller. His favorite book when he was younger was “Scuttle, The Stowaway Mouse” by Jean Condor Soule.

“I will never forget the look on my son Christopher’s face the first time I took him to the library,” Armas says. “He was so excited he didn’t know where to begin. Needless to say, we go there often.” Armas’ interest in reading and all the library has to offer has stuck with him through his childhood years into adulthood. “I love the library because it is full of so much great information. Whether it’s a certain book or specific topic to learn about, you can find it at the library.

YALSA, along with Hartman and Armas, are encouraging teens to “Get Active @ your library” and read for fun during Teen Read Week, October 15-21.

Throughout the week, library events nationwide will encourage teens to use the resources at their library to help them lead active lives. Teens also can vote for their favorite books during Teen Read Week by logging online and checking out recommendations from the Teens Top Ten: www.ala.org/teenstopten.

Since it began in 1998, Teen Read Week has focused on the importance of teen recreational reading and encouraging teens to go to their local library. Teen Read Week’s objectives are to give teens an opportunity to read for the fun of it, to allow teens to select their own reading material, and to help teens get in the habit of reading regularly and often.

Sponsored by YALSA, the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), Teen Read Week is the only national adolescent literary event.