swikstrom | 
03 5th, 2009| 
If you know me, you know I like to sing. So it should come as no surprise that I was totally stoked when I happened upon the PS2 game “Karaoke Revolution presents: American Idol Encore” at the Fairmount library tonight. It comes with the microphone when you check it out, so I didn’t need to worry about about special equipment (I totally wanna play Guitar Hero Aerosmith — which they’ve also got at the library — but I’m too cheap to pony up the bucks for a guitar!) Microphone in hand, I was ready to sing my little heart out.
When I got home from the library, I eagerly pulled everything out the box — game, instructions and microphone (which mercifully has a nice long cord). I popped the game into my system, and hunkered down to the business of American Idol Encore. I picked a character, a song and a venue and in no time I was singing to a crowd. I was fairly well jazzed about how simple it was to get started.
It didn’t take long, however, to realize that the song list was fantastically limited. I have to admit here that this is the first “singing” PS2 game I’ve ever played with. I’ve sang along in Rock Band, but that’s my only other video-game-singing experience. Maybe they all suck. But when I could only find four songs that I really wanted to sing, I was a little annoyed.
I hope something out there provides more options — there were loads of songs that I like and that I know the words to, but few that are even reasonably close to my range. I was stuck with “Come Sail Away,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Satisfaction,” and “Tainted Love.” I was amused for about a half and hour, but ultimately left the game feeling disappointed.
So a question to you singing gamers out there — is there a great karaoke game for the PS2?
– sam
It’s been kind of awhile since we posted a featured player, but we’re gonna give it another go. First up this time: Bailey. Bailey rocks! She always participates in lots of programs at the library and even won an award at the Manga drawing contest/Anime Fest we had at the Figge Art Museum. I also saw her make a few appearances last summer as Showtime Pal in Junior Theater’s weekly performances at the Fairmount St. Library. So, let’s get to know a bit more about Bailey, shall we?
And on that note…here’s a pic of Bailey at the Twilight Party we held last November. It shows her with the Twilight Soundtrack she won for being the howling contest winner! That’s right, she won the howling contest. Jacob would be so proud. BAILEY: “But I like EDWARD!”
Those of you who participated in the Teen Reading Challenge and read 250+ minutes received an invitation to the Teen Reading Challenge Party. This year’s party will be at the Moline Public Library (3210 41st St.) from 6:30-8 on Friday. There will be free food and drinks, lots of video games to play, and cool crafts to make. 
The 14th Annual Teen Reading Challenge has begun! Pick up your reading log today at either Davenport Public Library location. The Teen Reading Challenge is an event sponsored by the Quad City Area Public Libraries. This unique winter reading program asks teens to join their home library team and “compete” against other area public libraries to see who can read the most. Come on DPL teens…let’s do this!
This year’s program runs from Dec. 14, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009. The logs must be turned in by Jan. 6, 2009. To participate visit your local library and pick up a log. Just keep track of the number of minutes you read (books, magazines, newspapers, and even books for school!) on the provided log and turn it in when you’re done. It’s really that easy! 
