Camden County Library Teen Zone

Theater Games at the Haddon And Gloucester Twp. Branches

  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 Haddon Twp. and Gloucester Twp. Branches.  Ages 12 - 18.

Haddon Township Branch: Tuesday, January 12, 4-5:30 p.m. Register
Gloucester Township Branch: Tuesday, January 12, 6:30-8 p.m. Register

Last Call for DDR Tournament Sign-Ups!

If you are in Grades 6 and up, and haven't signed up for this Saturday's Teen DDR Tournament, drop whatever you're doing (unless you're holding something valuable like a Ming vase or a baby) and call Sophie to sign up!  You can reach me at 856.772.1636, extension 3360. (If you just want to cheer on your friends, that's fine, too -- give me a buzz so I have a reasonable headcount for snack purchases.)

We'll be holding the contest using a double-elimination method, so all contestants will get to compete at least twice. 

The Library will provide all snacks & beverages, and the top two winners will go on to the all-ages showdown on December 1.

Pop'n Music On Japanese PS2

Blogging live from Gaming Club on the third floor!  We're here til 5:30 today, so come on down if you're reading this post.

Matt brought with him his Japanese PS2 and homemade controller for Pop'n Music.  For those of you who've never played, Pop'n Music is the longest-running Bemani game (in the same family as Dance Dance Revolution or DDR and Beat Mania).  The controller has nine popkuns and you play the same way you would DDR, except you use your hands to thwap (yes, that's the technical term) the popkun on beat with the falling colored discs as they descend down the screen.  Trust me, it's way more fun than it sounds.  Photos will be posted here & at our Flickr account as soon as our faithful IT folks dig up the cable so I can upload them.

(Matt bought his copies of Pop'n Music volumes 11 & 12 from Play Asia, and his handmade controller from Desktop Arcade.  Because Pop'n Music is produced by Konami, like DDR, it shares some music with DDR and features a huge variety of musical styles.)

Duszan and Steven also played -- Duszan braved his way through several levels, but Steven played just twice and called it a day, as sports are more his thing. 

If you want to play Pop'n Music, you'd better have a Japanese PS2 or come to our next Gaming Club Event, scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 from 4-5:30 PM!   

Nintendo Fixing Wii Strap Problem And Vogelson Game Club Dates

Many of the Vogelson Branch (aka The Library Across the Street From The Mall, or TLATSFTM, which just trips off the tongue) Gaming Club's members noted at this week's meeting that for all the hoopla surrounding the release of the PS3, the gaming system they're most excited about is Nintendo's Wii.  I have to say, as a gaming novice (my parents did not hold truck with video games, so we never even had so much as an Atari), this is the only gaming system I've ever seen that made me think I could ever really get into gaming, myself.

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament

This Wednesday, August 9, at 6:30 p.m. come to the South County Branch (directions) to learn all about Yu-Gi-Oh. Ed Evans and his staff from "All Things Fun" in Berlin are coming to teach us about the game as well as the mechanics of a tournament. Then we'll play a round.

For ages 12 and up.

Dance Dance Revolution at South County on Thursday!

Come out to the South County Branch on Thursday, July 27, at 7 p.m. for a night of "Dance Dance Revolution." Bring a friend for a night of fun and competition. Prizes awarded to winners. Light refreshments will be served.

To register for the program call (856)753-2537.

Directions to the South County Branch

Summer DDR Parties at Shelf Life

Dance Dance Revolution! When: Monday, June 19 -- 3:00-4:30 PM Monday, July 17 -- 3:00-4:30 PM Monday, August 14 -- 3:00-4:30 PM

Where:
Shelf Life, our mini-branch in the Echelon Mall (next door to New York, New York and across the hall from the Disney Store).

Who:
If you're entering 6th Grade or higher, come on down, and bring a friend!

What:
DDR, that's what! Also: feel free to bring in your TVs, games, and game consoles (check w/your parents first!) in case you get bored showing off your moves and breaking a sweat.

How:
Just pop in. Bring a friend, too! We'll have other board & card games available, too. Also: refreshments will be provided. Food + DDR + You: Sweet.

Questions? Call Madame Sophie, your friendly Teen Librarian: 856.772.1636 ext 3372. Or you can AIM me: sophiebiblio is my screen name.

Favorite computer games!

I just finished playing the new computer game Dreamfall, and even though we don't have it here at the library, I'd highly recommend it. It's the sequel to The Longest Journey, which was the Adventure Game of the Year in 2003. It takes place 10 years after the end of The Longest Journey, in the future. You play as a teenage girl, a mercenary, and April Ryan (from the first game) traveling between the worlds of science, magic and dreams. The graphics are amazing and the voice acting is quite good.

If you don't like to listen to long stretches of dialogue, this game is not for you. Sometimes you need to just sit back, watch and listen. But if you like fantasy, check it out. One warning, though -- it's part 2 of a three part series. I didn't know when I played it, and yelled at my computer when I finished the game!

And now for the latest poll -- what kind of games are your favorites? Do you like action, shooters, sports games? Let us know! (See poll in the post above.)

Join us for a Dance Dance Revolution Party!

Come on out to the Echelon Mall this Friday, March 17th, from 7-8:30 p.m. for a Dance Dance Revolution Party. We'll be at Shelf Life, our new annex, across from the Disney Store. Break out your best moves, compete with your friends, get a great workout and refuel on snacks provided by the library.