Branford, CT--It's never too early to think about summer reading, especially for a group of Branford students who attend the Betsy Ross magnet school in New Haven.　 They are CT's winners of the Collaborative Summer Library Program's (CSLP) 2016 Teen Video Challenge, a national video competition for teens to get involved with reading and their public library's summer reading program.The video was shot at the Blackstone Library on a Sunday morning in March, and features local students and reference library assistant Christina Kondziela.

The students found out about the competition, which is sponsored by the CT State Library,  from their teacher, Matt Kelsey, also a Branford resident, and Blackstone Library Director Karen Jensen.　

Contest rules invited teens across the country to 　create a 30 to 90 second video with their unique interpretation of the 2016 teen slogan Get in the Game-Read, in combination with reading and libraries. Students worked with guidance from their teacher to create the script, music and scenes to best illustrate the theme.

"The teens used what we had learned in class, combined with excellent collaboration skills, and the opportunity offered by the library to create a piece that we all very proud of," Kelsey said.

As contest winners, the teens will see their video featured on the CLSP's national website, along with winning videos from all other competing states. The teens have won $150 and the Blackstone Library will receive additional prizes worth at least $50 from CSLP, Upstart, and CSLP partners. Most of all, they have the well-deserved recognition of their accomplishment.　 The teens will be recognized at a future library board meeting, and their video will featured on the library website.

"Video production and editing is a 21st century skill that the library supports," said Jensen. "Libraries around the country, with Blackstone being no exception, are evolving to offer resources in concert with traditional books. At Blackstone, this includes a suite of equipment, housed on carts in a mobile MakerLab, that supports classes and independent study for all ages like video creation, 3-D printing, sewing, electronics, and more."

The winning video can be viewed here