GITA, the Geospatial Information & Technology Association has a program called Location in Education where educators can borrow 10-15 GPS units (like the one pictured here), free of charge except for shipping and handling.

The units only work outdoors since they depend on signals from satellites that will give the unit longitude and latitude coordinates. People then can use these units to locate treasures that have been hidden around town. Many libraries already have scavenger hunts and chances are that teens will pick up pretty easily on using these devices. If you have the opportunity, try them out with staff first-they’ll discover how easy and fun they are to use. (more…)

This weekend my library held a music conference for teens and adults that brought in dj’s, recording artists, reps from record labels and more. It was of course not only a great opportunity for teens to network but they could also show off their music, dance, and dj’ing talents that they’ve learned and developed while at the library.
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As I was browsing the Tribune online, I came across this quote from Barack Obama’s letter bidding goodbye to Illinois as a Senator, “I learned how to disagree without being disagreeable.” That quote has stuck with me all day, and fortunately I was able to share it with someone that wrote it down and who will hopefully pass it on as well. I think it’s such a fitting quote for so many professions, even librarians (especially librarians?!). (more…)

This month was ALA TechSource’s 2nd annual gaming conference for libraries. (more…)

“Can I have more time on the computer?” “Just ten more minutes please?!” This question is frequently asked at my library in regards to using the virtual world of Teen Second Life. Teens themselves are the ones that marketed this technology to each other in the library. It started off with one teen using the program to teach peers around the world how to speak Spanish.

The point I want to make about telling this is not about TSL in particular. But, I want to makea point about introducing technology and supporting the access of it so that the teens who probably would not have picked up on it otherwise, because the places they come in contact with might not have it available, know that it exists.

What other technologies have we as libraries been able to support in ways that other places haven’t? What skills are teens learning by allowing teens to use various technologies? How can we as organizations support the power of viral marketing, from our patrons, to grow a program?

It’s great to watch interest unfold and discover the lessons of introducing skills and programs that originally might have seemed impossible to start.

Scott Nicholson, a faculty member at the Syracuse University school of Information Studies has developed this video for librarians to help celebrate National Gaming Day @ Your Library on November 15. Scott describes how to play Hasbro’s Pictureka! which (thanks to ALA and Hasbro) every public library in the U.S. will receive a copy. The goals of the event being:

• Raise awareness about the use of games as a library program
• Expose people to a new type of board game
• Establish connections between local board game groups and the library

Scott also gives a handful of other ideas in the video for participating on this day. Feel free to share your thoughts as well.

Author Cynthia Leitich Smith will be on the main stage of ALA’s island in Second Life on the adult grid at 5pm PST tomorrow evening. She will talk about Tantalize and other upcoming latest releases. You can create a free account at www.secondlife.com to participate. The discussion will also be recorded here. Cynthia will be on the teen grid on the 28th of this month.

The MacArthur Foundation released a national survey about teens who play computer, console, or cell phone games. The survey uncovered that there is a significant amount of social interaction and potential for civic engagement for game players. The survey was conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project and Mills College. (more…)

This weekend, I’m in Tampa, attending the Second Life conference. I’ve already met a handful of librarians involved in Second Life (some I knew already, but didn’t know they were librarians). Jean Gardner with, the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, is working with community organizations and teens on their island, Oz, to simulate a geography project that has a real life impact on their town.

This conference follows right on the heels of the Virtual Worlds Expo: The Future of Media and Communication in LA. Check out Anne Collier’s post about it that gives a shout out to several school and public librarians involved in using virtual worlds. (more…)

The preliminary program for ALA Techsource GLLS2008 is available. It will take place November 2-4, 2008 in Oak Brook, IL at the Doubletree Hotel. The program looks like nothing short of phenomenal! (more…)