Teen Read Week 2009: Read Beyond Reality will be celebrated at the library this week.  Stop by the Hays Public Library young adult department during Teen Read Week to read beyond reality.  

Check out materials to change your world,  take you somewhere unlike your world or learn about other cultures.  Stop by today and pick up a page-turner that you can read or listen to just for the fun of it. Several events have been planned throughout the week to celebrate fantasy and teen reading.

* Jousting tournament, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Don't bring your own swords or horses. We got it covered. Just show up with your game face on.  

* Craft-castle building, 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

After a long day of ruling, there's nothing better for a queen or king than to come home to a cozy castle. Participants will act as architects and builders as teams work together to construct castles using toothpicks and marshmallows.

* "Deadly Ever After" murder mystery 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday. It will be hard to top last year's murder mystery, but we are sure going to try. Food and drinks will be served at 8 p.m.. The murder mystery, "Deadly Ever After," will begin at 8:30 p.m. Come dressed up as your favorite fantasy character. Prizes will be given to all who wear costumes. Other prizes will be given randomly.  

 * "Shrek" marathon, 10 a.m. Friday (FYI, no school in USD 489 on this day). Those in attendance will also be treated to a "Shrek"-inspired lunch at noon and ice cream at 3 p.m.

* YA Title Eliminator Final Round, all week. The voices of local readers are heard as we choose our favorite recently released YA book. Help select the No. 1 book in our tournament-style selection process. An awards ceremony will follow after the winning book is chosen and the author is notified. Ask how you can participate at the YA desk.

For more information on activities at the Hays Public Library this week, go to our Web site, www.hayspublib.org.

Friends of the Hays Public Library

Bookstore

Books, Etc, the bookstore of the Friends of the Hays Public Library, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Members of the Friends continue to receive a 10-percent discount on all book purchases from the store.

Children's department

Story hours

Fall story hours begin Monday and continue until Dec, 10. Parents may enroll their children in one of the following sessions by calling the library at (785) 625-5916. The schedule is as follows:

Story hours will be in the Children's Department through July 30. Story hours

* 3- to 6-year-olds: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; 7 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

* 2-year-olds: 10:45 to 11:05 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 7 to 7:20 p.m. Tuesdays.

* Toddlers -- under the age of 2: 10:45 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

* All ages -- 4 to 4:30 p.m. Mondays; 2 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Craft hours

Join us for a special craft project at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Children must register to attend; limit of 20 participants. This week: halloween pillow.

Wii game days

Come to the children's department at 4 p.m. Wednesday and show off your Wii skills.

After-school movies

Relax and enjoy an after-school movie at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Special Moments Through the Ages

Fridays at 10 a.m., Foster Grandparents will share stories, crafts and snacks with preschool children using the circus as the theme. Children must register to attend; limit 20 participants.

Chess lessons

Children can learn to play or improve their chess game during lessons at 4 p.m. Fridays in the children's department. Randy Brull will be the instructor. Please register to attend.

Adult department

Feed and Film

The films begin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays in the library's main floor gallery. They last about an hour. Bring your lunch and a cup -- coffee is provided. This week, join us for "Game Shows."

Gallery exhibit

The Kansas Interpretive Traveling Exhibit Services "What My Mother Did, I Did Too: Kansas Quilt Traditions" in framed photographs, in on display through Oct. 31. As part of the exhibit, join Big Creek Quilt Guild in the gallery at 2 p.m. Saturday for a discussion on "Fabric Postcards" by Peggy White.

YA department

All programs are free and for anyone grades six through 12. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Weekly programs

All start at 3:30 p.m.

* Mondays -- STAGE Drama Club, board games and snacks.

* PS2 and Wii Tuesdays.

* Wavering Wednesdays -- something different each week.

* Make and Take Thursdays -- crafts and more.

* Friday -- movies and snacks.

Kansas Room

A book display this month will feature ghost stories. There will also be displays on ghosts and UFOs in Kansas.

Brandon Hines is the young adult department librarian at the Hays Public Library.