Miami, Fl – The Miami-Dade Public Library will kick-off its 2004 Teen Read Week Saturday, October 16, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with Read-A-Thons at the Miami Beach and South Dade Regional Libraries. Teens will be reading for 3 hours in succession to earn community service hours. This year’s theme – It’s Alive at Your Library – encourages teens to read horror fiction “just for the fun of it”. The Read-A-Thons will be followed by a full week of literacy related events such as poetry slam and coffee house, horror movies, lectures and a chess exhibition sponsored by the World Chess Hall of Fame to take place October 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Backed by the American Library Association, Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative dedicated to make books and reading a bigger part of teenager lives. And the Miami-Dade Public Libraries is making it fun…totally free of charge! A brief description of the programs follows.

System-wide Programs

Miami-Beach Branch Library, 2100 Collins Avenue;
South Dade Regional Library, 10750 SW 211 Street

• Kick-off Teen Read Week by participating in a Read-a-thon. October 16th, 2004 from 1:30 pm to 4:3 0 pm Teens will read out loud for 3 minutes to earn community service hours. Pick up your “My Favorite Books” Entry Form to be eligible for prizes.

Main Library, 101 West Flagler St.

• “Simultaneous Chess Exhibition” sponsored by The World Chess Hall of Fame. October 23rd from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Twenty-five teens will play simultaneously against chess expert Gilberto Luna. Please register in person.
• “A History of Witches and Demons in Literature” sponsored by Miami Intelligence. Sunday October 24th from 2p.m.-4p.m.

Branch Programs

Coral Reef, 9211 Coral Reef Drive

• "It's Alive" Poetry Slam and Coffee House
  October 20, 2004 6:30-8:30 pm
  Teens can read poetry of their choice. A poetry competition will take place for original poems with the theme "It's Alive."

Edison Center, 531 NW 62 Street

• “It’s Alive” Open Mike
  for poets, readers, monologues, etc.
  October 21 - 3:00pm

Miami Beach, 2100 Collins Avenue

• Teen Read Week Horror Movie Madness
  Tuesday Oct. 19 at 7 pm and
  Thursday Oct. 21 at 7 pm

Kendall, 9101 SW 97 Avenue

• Teen Read Storytime on Saturday October 23, 2004 2 - 3 pm.
  Each teen will receive three hours of community service for reading five minutes to children (ages 3 - 10 yrs.)Participation is limited to 10. Please register in person. For more information contact Carey Kipp.

North Shore, 7501 Collins Avenue

• It’s Alive at Your Library
  Wednesday, October 20, 2004, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  Celebrate Teen Read Week festivities with us. There will be monster foods, storytelling contest, and scary movies. Come if you dare!

South Miami, 6000 Sunset Drive

• It's Alive!
  Tuesday, October 19, 2004, 7 p.m. -8:30 p.m.
  Halloween and Teen Read Week bring us a very special night of anime horror! Dress up as your favorite anime character! Best costume wins a prize!
  Ages 12 yrs. and up.

West Kendall, 10201 Hammocks Blvd.

• It’s Alive at the West Kendall Regional Library every afternoon after school. Come watch the Witch Hunter Robin anime series and have popcorn and soda. October 18th-21 2004, from 4-6 pm
• Guess how many eyeballs are in the jar, and win a Manga VIP kit that includes a T-Shirt, poster and DVD.

For additional information, please call (305) 375-BOOK or visit www.mdpls.org.

Media Contact: Marivi Prado 305.375.5180