At the eastern end of leafy Reid Street, children and young adults have been enjoying a range of literary pursuits recently, and Youth Services Librarian Marla Smith shared some of the details.The library collaborated once again with Greenrock and Belco on the highly successful student essay competition intended to raise awareness about environmental issues, as well as to encourage research and writing. Writing essays on the theme “Five Ways that I Keep My Bermuda Green”, 261 students entered the 2012 contest, as compared to 119 in 2011.First place winners received a Kindle Fire loaded with the selected books on environmental topics and $50 and their school received $250 to use for an environmental project.Second place winners received books and $50, third place winners received books and $25. Those who earned an Honourable Mention received a $25 gift card to Brown & Co. (hopefully to buy books!)The results were as follows:15 to 18 years:First — Raymond Bean, Jr, The Berkeley InstituteSecond — Justin Ferreira, Warwick AcademyThird — Kahlid Y. Muhammad, CedarBridge Academy12 to 14 years:First — Amelia Oatley, Warwick AcademySecond — Blair Smyth, Mount Saint Agnes AcademyThird — Aldon Campbell, Somersfield AcademyHonourable Mention: William Porter, Whitney Institute Middle School, and Cassy McPhee, Mount Saint Agnes Academy9 to 11 yearsFirst — Nicholas Siese, Warwick AcademySecond — Caroline Amaral, Mount Saint Agnes AcademyThird Place — Abigail Jones, Warwick Academy, and Eanajah Armstrong, Somerset PrimaryHonourable Mention: Zane Curtis-Thomas, Somerset Primary School and Jahmiko Marshall, Harrington Sound Primary SchoolYouth Library Outreach ProgramThe Youth Outreach Program started on March 10th and has been running on Saturdays, alternating between the West End and East End of the island.At the West End, the Youth Services Department deliver library services at Sandys 360 from 10am to 12 noon and then at The Rubber Tree Market in Warwick from 2pm to 4pm. In the East End, they are at White’s Southside from 10am to 12 noon and at the Olde Towne Market on Water Street in St. George’s from 2pm to 4pm.It will run until the end of May in the first instance, after which there will be an assessment of the program during the summer and it will resume again in the fall.The public can go the Bermuda National Library website for details of the Outreach Program schedule.The vehicle will also be used to visit nurseries and the schools to offer class and assembly visits.The Youth Services Department of the Bermuda National Library is thankful to the End to End Walk Committee, The Friends of the Bermuda National Library, The Stempel Foundation, CellOne and the International Women’s Club of Bermuda for sponsoring the vehicle, laptop, internet service and outreach equipment.Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Poetry CompetitionThe Youth Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB), comprising teens aged 13 to 18 years of age, holds a poetry writing competition each year. The competition themes this year were: Bad Romance, The feel of music, A Hero Day and Monday.The winners are:11 — 13 yearsFirst — Skye Robinson-Bean — Bermuda High SchoolSecond — Alicea Davis — Bermuda High SchoolThird — Olivia Adderley — Bermuda High School14 — 18 yearsFirst — Shantia Seymour — Berkeley InstituteSecond — Marcus Smith — Saltus Grammar SchoolThird — Rokeisha Eve — Berkeley InstituteChildren’s Reading FestivalOver 600 children attended the Children’s Reading Festival this year. The day was filled with activities for children ranging from the very young to older youth. The Library mascot, Libro Lion, was accompanied by the community mascots Belco Bird, A.J. the Little Gombey, the Litter Critter, Keisha the Mermaid and the Cat in the Hat.There were stories told, dancing, music, singing and a magic show to entertain the children. The children were able to try their hand at games and crafts. At the end of the day children walked out happy with library cards and books in hand.