Library mystery takes youths back to the '70s
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - Death, mystery, suspense, Sudoku and puzzles were the ingredients Howell library staff members used to try to create interest for the 2007 summer reading program "You Never Know."

One of the final events of the summer program was an updated version of the popular board game "Clue." The participants played "Staying Alive." A group of about 15 teenagers gathered in a circle, wrapped green and yellow headbands around their heads and took on 1970s-era celebrity personalities as they tried to figure out who the killer was.

The 1970s theme was the idea of summer page Stephanie

"We went off of another game called 'Saturday Night Fever,' fused the two games together and made it more elaborate," Stephanie said.

Stephanie's fellow page Courtney Gil said the game supported the overall theme of the summer program.

"It was a unique and unusual idea that the kids seemed to enjoy. A murder-mystery game was used to spark interest," Courtney said.

According to the library's youth coordinator, Veronica Stevens, "Teens are a really hard demographic. The goal every year is to promote reading among youngsters and to boost involvement."

Sharon Rawlins, youth services consultant of the New Jersey State Library, explained how the "You Never Know" theme emerged. She said the New Jersey State Library is involved in a collaborative program with libraries across the United States. Representatives of the libraries get together to share resources.

"There is an annual conference and a

representative from each state library

decides on a slogan,"

Rawlins said. "We have

been involved in the collaborative

reading program

since 2002. Since

then I have noticed that readership in the summer among children has

increased. Statistics show that the number of books taken out during that period has increased."

An interest is usually ignited in the youngsters when programs are geared toward them, Rawlins said.

Melena Fontaine, 10, attended all of the programs in the Howell library's "You Never Know" series. She said, "I like the programs a lot. It is really good because I usually have nothing to do. This series give me something to do."

Rachel Rizzo, 13, said she especially liked the murder-mystery game because it allowed her to portray different characters from the 1970s.

Brandon Maier, 12, said he also enjoyed the game.