A Palatine teen will soon be getting some big exposure for his work. Logan Schirmbeck, an 11th grade home-schooled student and Teen Advisory Board member at the Palatine Public Library District, is the winner of the ILA state-wide iREAD Young Adult Art Contest for 2011. His artwork will be featured on posters and bookmarks in libraries all across Illinois, as they use the items to promote the 2011 summer reading program. 

Shirmbecks fanciful artwork illustrates the ILA 2011 iREAD summer program reading theme: A Midsummer Knights Dream.

Were thrilled about Logans accomplishment, said Teen Librarian Megan Ower. Hes a very talented teen, and were fortunate to have his participation on the Teen Advisory Board.

I have always loved to draw, write stories, act and use my creativity, said Schirmbeck, who wants to someday write and illustrate his own novels. Currently, he writes for his own blog (http://innocentnonsense.blogspot.com/).

While the creative teen has won art contests in the past, this award holds special significance. This is the first time that my artwork will actually be widely distributed to the public, noted Schirmbeck. It is a fantastic opportunity to have my artwork noticed!

To honor his accomplishment, Palatine Library will display more of Schirmbecks artwork in the Palatine Public Librarys Teen Lounge during the month of March. Among the items on display is original artwork created for an Alice in Wonderland themed teen book display. Teens who visit the Teen Lounge in March can check out Logans artwork and also enter an Alice in Wonderland Trivia Contest. The winning entry will receive a movie gift certificate. The contest ends March 31.

Teens interested in participating in the Teen Advisory Board should contact Megan Ower, Teen Librarian at (847)-358-5881, or email mower@palatinelibrary.org.

Palatine Public Library District (www.palatinelibrary.org) serves approximately 90,000 residents predominantly within the communities of Palatine and Hoffman Estates. The mission of the library is to encourage lifelong learning and enrichment through the exploration of books and other media and to provide services and materials which will promote a well-informed and literate community.