Celebrate Teen Tech Week!

The Young Adult Library Services Association sponsors Teen Tech Week to draw attention to the importance and availability of various technologies in libraries. Besides offering technologies such as audiobooks, DVDs, electronic games, computers with Internet access, and more, libraries also have librarians with expertise in using many of these resources effectively. This year, Teen Tech Week (March 10-16) celebrates the teen-selected theme: "Check In @ your library."

Teens are familiar with a variety of technologies, but they may not recognize the library as a source for non-print or technology materials; nor may they see librarians as a source of expertise in these media. To raise their awareness, try the following activity.

Assign or have students select a topic for research. If your school and local libraries have limited non-print resources, you may want to pre-select topics for which these resources can be found. Challenge students to use the card catalogue, online if possible, to find resources related to their topic, at least one of which must be in a non-print or technology medium. Then have students go to the library and enlist the help of a librarian to find additional resources.

This activity also provides an excellent opportunity for students to practice citing media such as websites, DVDs, or audiobooks. Purdue's OWL offers information about citing electronic sources that may be helpful. Have students use these resources to create and turn in a complete bibliography of their resources. Students may also enjoy the opportunity to create their report in an alternative electronic medium, such as an audio CD, podcast, or video.

• Teen Tech Week
  

  This site from the Young Adult Library Services Association, sponsors of Teen Tech Week, offers information about contests, publicity materials, activity ideas, and more.

• Teen Tech Wiki
  

  This wiki hosts discussions and suggestions about program ideas, talking points, background resources and suggested reading material, and other aspects of Teen Tech Week.

• Internet and American Life Project
  

  Pew Charitable Trust offers numerous reports on technology use and trends, including information specific to teens.

• Teen Library in Second Life
  

  Read about the partnership between the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and Alliance Library System in a pilot program to offer library services in the virtual world Teen Second World.