Teens and Technology How Teens & Kids are Your Library Michele Wyss, Forman Valley Public Library Sara Fisher, Alpha Park Public Library

Say Whaaa? Teens in the Library!

What Gets Teens In the Library  Respect  Technology  Food  Involvement  Opportunities  Volunteerism  A Sense of Belonging

What Keeps Teens in the Library  Respect  Technology  Food  Opportunities for Involvement  Ownership  Giving Them Their “Library” Time

What Do We Do With Teens Now That We Have Them in the Library  Respect Them  Let Them:  Plan Activities  Design Flyers  Post Things on the Web  Teach a Tech Class  Volunteer  Have A Say in Materials Purchased

What Technology Are Teens Using At the Library?  Computers  Word Processors  Schoolwork  Research  Power Point Presentations  Writing Newsletters & Generating Flyers  School Organization  Youth Group  Teen the Library  Printers & Copiers

 Internet  Informational Searches   Games  Chat  My Space / Facebook   Teen Second Life  You Tube  Music Downloads  E-book & Audio book Downloads

 Gaming  Computer Games  Runescape  World of Warcraft  Game Systems  X-Box  Playstation 2  Nintendo  Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)  Guitar Hero  Karaoke  Halo

 Portable Electronics  I-Pods & MP3 Players  Playaway Books  Digital Cameras

Educational Opportunities

Information Sharing Having Internet access in the public library creates a space for students to use technology on their own terms. Teens have more opportunities for socialization and so they share information and create trends much more quickly than adults.  Each other  File sharing  Troubleshooting  Staff to student  Research  Search strategies  Student to staff  New gadgets  New programs

Teens are a Positive Asset to the Library Community Believe it or not, we can learn a lot from a teenager, they generally know all about the latest and greatest, no matter what that may be, months before it even happens. The children are our future, but the teens are our now – give them a chance to help keep you connected! Believe it or not, we can learn a lot from a teenager, they generally know all about the latest and greatest, no matter what that may be, months before it even happens. The children are our future, but the teens are our now – give them a chance to help keep you connected!