Teen poetry contest, children's book awards, more on tap at Wake libraries in March

We are regulars at our library and always have a stack of books checked out. I take my younger daughter to storytime almost weekly and it's the first place my older daughter wants to go when she has a school project (instead of the computer).

But, beyond storytimes, libraries offer all kinds of events from teen book clubs to family performances that, as far as I'm concerned, should make them a second home for families.

Here's what's scheduled in Wake:

Wake libraries will participate in a statewide election to choose the 2013 N.C. Children's Book Award winners. School aged kids can vote for their favorite book from a list of nominees in two categories: the Picture Book Award and the Junior Book Award. Kids who read at least five titles from the lists can cast a ballot at any Wake library. The winners will be announced April. The award's goal is to introduce children to current children's literature and to instill a love of reading.

In 2012, "The Book that Eats People," by John Perry won in the picture book category. "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda," by Tom Angleberger won in the junior book category. More than 130,400 votes were cast.

These are great lists to check out and plow through if you're looking for new books to read to your kids or for your kids to read.

And Wake will host its annual Teen Poetry Contest from March 15 to April 30. Teens in sixth to twelfth grade can submit up to three original poems for the contest. Last year, nearly 500 entries were submitted. The contest is broken into four categories: sixth grade; seventh and eighth grade; ninth and tenth grade; and eleventh and twelfth grade. Winners will be announced in early May and will be honored at a reception and will be invited to read their winning poems.