Clare County Library’s Teen Week 2013

Teen Week 2013 will be celebrated by Clare County Library from the 19th to the 22nd of March in Scariff and Shannon branch libraries. Now in its third year, its underlying aim is one of raising awareness of reading, art and culture among teenagers in County Clare while providing an opportunity for staff to welcome young adults to libraries during a week which particularly focuses on their particular interests. The programme is supported by teachers and pupils from local second level schools who appreciate the scheduling of a week-long festival on their doorstep. Both libraries offer a varied programme including music, book clubs, poetry, local history and archaeology and a careers choice workshop that promises to deliver all you need to know about moving on from 2nd level education.

Ciaran Collins will facilitate a two-hour music workshop in both libraries during the week giving an overview of music creation and production. Young music lovers are guaranteed to come away with useful tips on songwriting, how to record a demo and even information on how to make their pitch with recording companies. Workshop participants will have access to acoustic, electric and bass guitars, a drum machine and digitech console and much more, with the ultimate aim being to create their own track by the end
of the session.

Thinking of Careers is a ninety minute workshop tailored to help Senior Cycle students make educated career choices. Discussion will cover CV building, interview preparation, personal and aptitudinal assessment, target-setting and advice on relevant work experience. Course facilitator Greg McGeogh will deliver all the advice necessary for young people to make informed decisions about their future on leaving second level education.

Architectural conservation officer with Clare County Council, Risteard Ua Cróinín will deliver a presentation to students on The Importance of our Traditional Buildings. Risteard’s work includes responsibility for the built environment of the county. He has a wealth of archaeological and architectural knowledge to share with students who are interested in where they live in County Clare.

Stephen Murray was born in Ireland in 1974 and moved to London in 1975. As a teenager, he was twice a runner-up in the W.H. Smith Young Writer of the Year Awards. In 2005 he was crowned Cúirt Grand Slam Champion and he has performed his work as guest reader at many of the world’s most famous poetry venues. He currently lives and writes in Galway where he works as director of Inspireland, teaching poetry and creative
writing to young people across the country. House of Bees is his debut collection.
His poetry slam for teenagers is guaranteed to be a hit with Scariff Community College students who’ve already booked their places.