Promote Teen Tech Week

Make plans now to promote the first ever “Teen Tech Week,” March 4-10, 2007. Teen Tech Week is sponsored by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association of ALA) The theme is “Get Connected @ Your Library” and there are lots of great posters and promotional materials available through the ALA Graphics Catalog or through the ALA Online Store www.ala.org

Why this promotion now? YALSA website explains: “…By developing Teen Tech Week, YALSA demonstrates the important role technology plays in teen life and the need for librarians to integrate the ways teens use technology into their programs and services, said Teen Tech Week chair Linda Braun. Teen use of non-print resources has increased dramatically in recent years, yet more and more teens are doing this from home instead of the library. According to a recent study by Harris Interactive, in 2005 86% of youth aged 8-18 have a computer in their home, and 74% have Internet access in their home. On average, 8-18 year olds spend 6 hours and 21 minutes per day using media (including TV, video/DVDs/movies, video games, audio media, computers and print media) According to Pew Internet Research, 71% of teens reported that the Internet is their primary source for completing school projects. Yet multiple studies have shown that the majority of teens lack the critical thinking skills and technical expertise to use the Internet and other electronic resources effectively. Teens need to know that the library is a trusted resource for accessing information and that librarians are the experts who can help them develop the skills they need to use electronic resources effectively and efficiently, remarked YALSA President Pam Spencer Holley…”

Programming ideas abound on YALSA website http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw.htm

Get into the swing of things by blogging your plans and ideas for Teen Tech Week. Blogging...techie stuff...it all fits!