Get a Library Card to Get Ready for School

Homework help resources and special programming help students succeed

 
 
[Camden County libraries remind parents and students that an updated library card is one of the most important school supplies to have.]

VOORHEES, NJ – August 22, 2011 – As Camden County students go back to school this September, the Camden County Library System wants to make sure that all children have one of the most important school supplies – a library card.  

Owning a library card provides students the resources they need to compete academically. Most public libraries (89.6 percent) provide students free access to databases of news articles, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, as well as homework help and other resources. 

In addition, public libraries are the number one place for free Internet access, an important resource for families without a home Internet connection when 96 percent of school districts require students to use the Internet to complete their homework. 

“Today’s libraries provide all types of students with the tools they need to succeed,” says Linda Devlin as director of the Camden County Library System. She points out that the library system offers special sections on its website that provide access to homework help for both children and high school students. Kids World and the Teen Zone can be found on the library’s website at www.camdencountylibrary.org . 

Each month throughout the year the library offers scores of programs and events designed for students of all ages. Everything from story times, teen book clubs, craft workshops and special programs like a teen video contest and festival held just a few weeks ago.  The Riletta L. Cream Ferry Ave. Branch even offers a homework club for students in grades three through eight that meets once a week on Thursday afternoons starting Sept. 22. 

“Libraries provide young readers with exciting and engaging programs that make learning fun. Now more than ever, a library card is the most important school supply of all,” stresses Devlin. 

Getting a library card is easy.  Residents of 27 member communities are eligible for a free library-system card. Owners of properties or businesses that operate in a member community are eligible as are others.

A list of member communities is available on the website, and residents of non-member communities can get a library card on a subscription-fee basis, which is explained on the website. Residents can also visit one of the seven CCLS branches located in Bellmawr, Camden, Gloucester Twp., Haddon Twp., Merchantville, Winslow Twp. or Voorhees to find out about joining the system and getting a card. 

The American Library Association, the New Jersey Library Association and libraries across the country have designated September as Library Card Sign-up Month since 1987 to remind parents that a library card is an essential school supply. 

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Established in 1921, Camden County Library System seeks to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of its customers with locations in Bellmawr, Camden, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville, Winslow Township and Voorhees.   The Library is governed and supported by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the Camden County Library Commission.

2nd Annual Teen Video Contest & Festival @ Voorhees Library

Competition is free and open to SJ teens between 12 and 18 years old

 
 

[The M. Allan Vogelson Regional Branch Library of the Camden County Library System stages a teen video contest with all submissions screened at a “Red Carpet Event” scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 9.]

VOORHEES, N.J. – July 14, 2011 – The Voorhees branch of the Camden County Library System is holding its second annual summer video contest for teens that will culminate in a Teen Video Festival on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.  Along with the festival’s judges, the contestants, their families, friends and the general public are welcome to attend and view all the submissions by the teen film makers at this ‘Red Carpet Event’.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 5, 2011 and a film must be suitable for an audience of all ages – in other words it must meet the requirements of a “G” rating as established by the Motion Picture Association of America.

 A piece can be anywhere from three to ten minutes in length and the principal members of the crew creating the film must between 12 and 18 years old or anyone currently enrolled in sixth through twelfth grade as of September, 2011.

 Films can be of any genre – comedy, drama, documentary, animation - or use any medium - music, special effects, sound effects - wherever the film maker’s creative streak takes him or her as long as the subject is presented in a manner acceptable for all ages. Films must be submitted in DVD format. All submissions will be accepted for screening. Make a copy because submissions will not be returned.

 A jury panel made up of teens and library professionals will decide the winner at a “Red Carpet Event” staged in The Corner (teen space) at the M. Allan Vogleson Region Branch Library in Voorhees on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. Registration is required.

 “We had a lot of really amazing submissions last year.  I'm hoping for even more in this upcoming film festival.  This is a great way for our local teens to show off their creativity,” said Voorhees Teen Librarian Christen Orbanus.

 After the initial screening, the videos will be uploaded to the Voorhees library’s teen YouTube page for viewing (www.youtube.com/CCLTeens).

 The contest is free. Entry forms can be picked up in person during regular business hours at the Youth Services desk of the Vogelson Branch Library located on Laurel Rd. across from the Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall) or by e-mailing Christen Orbanus at corban@camdencountylibrary.org .  Contestants will be notified when their submissions are received at the library.

 Remember, the deadline is Friday, Aug. 5, 2010.

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Established in 1921, Camden County Library System seeks to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of its customers with locations in Bellmawr, Camden, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville, Winslow Township and Voorhees.   The Library is governed and supported by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the Camden County Library Commission.

Bellmawr Library to Hold Three-Day Summer Clearance Book Sale

Proceeds go to support teen programs at Camden County Library System.

 

 [The Bellmawr Branch Library stages 3-day sale in August to support teen programming in the Camden County Library System.]

 

VOORHEES, N.J. –July 19, 2010 –    The Bellmawr Branch of the Camden County Library System  will hold a Summer Clearance Book Sale from Thursday, Aug. 19 to Saturday Aug. 21.

 

The sale offers bargains on books, VHS tapes, audio tapes and music CDs for all ages with most items priced between fifty-cents to three dollars. Located at 35 E. Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ, the library will run the sale during the following dates and hours:

 

Thursday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

The sale is open to the public and all are welcome. Members of the VolunTeens group will be on hand to help run the sale, the proceeds of which will go to support teen programming for the library system.

 

 

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Established in 1921, Camden County Library System seeks to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of its customers with locations in Bellmawr, Gloucester Township, Haddon Township, Merchantville, Winslow Township and Voorhees.   The Library is governed and supported by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the Camden County Library Commission.

Babysitter Boot Camp

Teens: getting ready for a busy summer of babysitting?  This two part series at the Vogelson Branch is available just in time for summer. Learn games, stories, songs, and simple crafts to keep children entertained. Make your own babysitter survival kit.  We'll meet on Thursdays, May 13th and 20th, from 4:30 to 5:30.

Grades 6 to 12.

Register for this program.

Directions to the Vogelson Branch.

Theater Games Program for Teens

  Teens: join us as we journey into uncharted humor!  The theatre group Youth Stages will lead us as we improvise in Whose Library Is It Anyway?  We'll explore classic improvisational drama games like "Park Bench" and "Elevator" and add newer games like "Party Quirks" and "Hunter and Hunted."  The program will take place on Tuesday, January 12 at the Gloucester Twp. Branch.  Ages 12 - 18.

Gloucester Township Branch: Tuesday, January 12, 6:30-8 p.m. Register

Teen center planned for Camco library - Article from Courier-Post

By JANE ROH • Courier-Post Staff • September 28, 2009

VOORHEES — Hey, teenagers: Camden County librarians really want to hang with you.

Construction has begun on a 1,245-square-foot teen center at the M. Allen Vogelson Branch Library in Voorhees. The recreation room-like space, to be dubbed The Corner, will be filled with dorm-style furniture, "graffiti" walls for artwork, a 52-inch plasma TV and video game area, and a performance stage," not to mention books.

"Teens are a group that is traditionally not coming into the library as often as other groups," said Linda Devlin, director of the Camden County Library System. "We hope that the center will attract new teens who will come in and use our resources."

The library system in January received $40,000 in funding from the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative to build the center. Including matching funds from the Camden County Library System, a total of $138,700 is being spent on the project.

Bach Associates of Haddon Heights designed the space, which is scheduled to open on Nov. 15, Devlin said.

At a meeting of the Vogelson branch's Teen Advisory Board, or TAB, on Thursday, about a dozen members of the targeted demographic were excited over the new center.

"I've been looking forward to it for at least a year now," said Shivun Bhuta, an eighth-grader at Voorhees Middle School. "It's going to be a big improvement."

The students were enthused about the gaming center, but said that wasn't the draw to the Vogelson branch.

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