Bye bye amps and drum kits! It's back to book carts.

source: kim swartz

Where oh where was the Sociology Library Associate last week? Rockin' out with sixty 8-18 year old little ladies at girls rock! day camp, that's where. I joined 2 DCPL YA librarians and over 100 rad DC women in organizing and leading camp this summer.

How did the public library help these kids rock out, you might ask? Well, we held some camp-related instrument shares at MLK library and the Southeast branch in the months leading up to camp, and during camp week our table in the 'Hall of Sisterhood' just about spilled over with DCPL library books. We had books on band art, instrument instruction, biographies of women who rock and the history of women in music. The girls (and volunteers) could look to the books for inspiration during camp week and also be reminded of the resources at their local library! We even got some kids signed up for DCPL library cards! It was a great week and I look forward to next summer.

Here are some highlights:
http://dcist.com/2009/08/click_click_girls_rock_dc_2009.php?gallery0Pic=1#gallery

http://thenewgay.net/2009/08/girls-really-do-rock.html

http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/live-dc/girls-rock-dc-a-recap/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h87bnFXaO40

Girls Rock! Day Camp + MLK Jr Memorial Library = <3 <3

source: Jana Birchum/Getty Images

Calling all girls ages 8-18! Stop by the MLK Library's Children's room on Saturday 5/16 from 2-4. Learn about girls rock! day camp and try your hand at tons of instruments. We will have snacks, show clips from last year's 9:30 club showcase, and (hopefully) listen to a live band perform outside the library!

With a base in music education, Girls Rock! DC aims to create a supportive, inclusive and creative space for girls to develop their self-confidence, build community, stand up and rock out!

Check out www.girlsrockdc.org for more info and to download an application.

Some press:
“Girls Rock! D.C. Seeks Campers, Volunteers”, written by Amanda Hess for the Washington City Paper and NBC Washington.

“Girls Rock! D.C. Rocks Out at the Black Cat: The local music edcuation collective hosts a DJing class for local women”, Chelsea Bauch, The Onion April 1, 2009.

"‘Girls Rock’ Theme Rings in the New School Year”, Alyssa Best, The Huffington Post, August 20, 2008

Please stop by!