PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 16, 2012

Contact:
Lamar Pinkett YA Librarian Associate Work: (410) 984-4931

Teen Chess Fest!!! Reisterstown Road Branch Saturday, April 21, 2012, 11am - 3pm Join the Chess R Us crew, Maryland Rated chess talent Donte Lovell, Sophia Lynn, and Tavon Carter the "Chess Expert" for a unique and fun experience. BALTIMORE, MD The Reisterstown Road Branch Library of the Enoch Pratt free Library, in partnership with Chess R Us crew will host a Teen Chess Fest; a free day of chess tournaments, games, puzzles, prizes, snacks and lessons for ages 8-18. Come out and enjoy a variety of chess activities for individuals and groups, awarding you the opportunity to win prizes, interact with peers, learn new chess skills and a chance to beat the "Chess Master". Grab your friends and chess buddies, bring them over to the Reisterstown Road Branch Library and prepare to be amazed by chess. We hope to see you there. Checkmate! For a complete details of the Teen Chess Fest grab a flier at your local Pratt Library or visit www.prattlibrary.org. Also look for the Pratt Library on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Foursquare and YouTube. Remember at the Enoch Pratt Free Library: Your journey starts here. prattlibrary.org 6310 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215 p 410-396-0948 f 410-3960952

Teen Chess Fest Enoch Pratt Free Library ~ Reisterstown Road Branch Library Saturday, April 21, 2012 11am 3pm Need: Chess has become a therapeutic escape for many urban teens within the past decade. This game has saved many young urban teens from destructives paths that are daily present in their environments. Realizing the positive effect that Chess has had on the urban community especially with young boys shows the necessity for urban libraries to gain in on this rapidly growing trend amongst urban teens. Programs such as this provide opportunities for teens to network and interact with other chess players and aspiring chess players across the city of Baltimore in a positive exchange. In Pratts mission it states that we are to provide equal access to information and SERVICES that enrich, empower, and enhance to quality of life for all and through chess we are able to do this by introducing new concepts and social opportunities to bring all people of all backgrounds together in a structured environment that encourages an atmosphere of enrichment, empowerment, and enhancement. Plan:

Ages 8-18 beginners-advanced chess players Set-up eight stations for participants to enjoy chess in different formats Station 1: 1 man vs. 20 players chess station Station 2: Chess on the IPAD Station 3: Chess puzzles Station 4: Floor board chess Station 5: Chess Lessons Station 6: Free play Station 7: Chess crafts for young children Station 8: Chess and the Arts (spoken word, music, and photography) Provide tickets for raffle, lunch, and each chess station Purchase supplies for lunch (plates, napkins, cups, and ice) Collect 30 chess boards Create music cd for entertainment Room set-up with facilities department Collect 20 black and white table cloths from facilities department

Advertisement: 1. Pratt Compass (newsletter) 2. Fliers and Posters 3. Baltimore City Public Schools 4. Community Chess clubs Partners: During this event the Reisterstown Road Branch Library will partner with the community nonprofit organization Chess R Us crew in-order to bring in more teens from across the city of Baltimore. Also, Chess R Us crew will operate strategic puzzles, raffle off prizes, facilitate 20 on 1 chess games, along with many other chess activities. Chess R Us crew will bring in chess tshirts to decorate room along with decorations, banners, and balloons. Also, they will donate

baskets and prizes for raffle. Chess R Us crew have created positive working relationships with the Baltimore community and Baltimore City Public Schools with operating continual scholastic chess tournaments, mentoring children and youth, and teaching chess in impoverished communities to challenged youth. Also, we will partner with the local Pizza Shop; Giorgios to supply lunch for all participants of the Chess Fest. Giorgios has been very generous by agreeing to give us a 35% discount on pizza purchased. Evaluation: Evaluation sheets will be handed out to all participants for honest feedback about the program. These sheets will be used to collect program statistics along with assessment of implementation and organization of program. The total numbers of the program will also assist in the assessment of the program. Lastly, a follow-up session with Chess R Us crew to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the program will also serve as part of the evaluation process. Presented by: Lamar Pinkett YA Librarian LA I Enoch Pratt free Library Reisterstown Road Branch - #31 6310 Reisterstown Rd Baltimore, MD 21215