The Appleton Public Library is launching Teen Voices, an online publication that will feature original poetry, short fiction and essays submitted by Fox Valley teens. To kick off the premier issue of Teen Voices, the library sponsored a writing contest. Teens submitted entries at the Information Desk or online from the teen web page, TeenLink (http://teen.apl.org/teenvoices.html). All students entering seventh through twelfth grade or the age-equivalent home-schooled students from the Fox Valley area were eligible to participate. Entries for the contest were accepted through May 25th.

The Appleton Public Library's staff and the Teen Advisory Board will serve as judges for the entries. The Teen Advisory Board consists of teens from area schools that meet monthly to help the Library plan programs and activities that interest teens. The first prize is $100, the second prize is $50, and the third prize is $25. In addition, ten honorable mention winners will be chosen. The funding for this contest is through a grant from the United Way. All selected entries will appear in Teen Voices. Winners will be announced at the Teen Summer Library Program kick-off party June 11th. The first issue will appear on the teen web page soon after.

The teen web page (teen.apl.org) currently offers useful information on library programs and interesting Internet links. Teen Voices will provide a unique resource by connecting teens in creative endeavors beyond traditional methods. Everyone that visits the site participates in that resource by experiencing the viewpoints of Fox Valley youth. For future issues, teens are encouraged to regularly submit their writings for possible publication.