With Teen Tech Week winding down many of us have already held our program(s) and we are packing up our supplies and putting all TTW related thoughts and ideas on the back burner until next year, but before you do this here are a few thoughts to keep with you throughout the year.
Teen Tech Week is about ensuring, “…that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries such as DVDs, databases, audiobooks, and videogames. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries’ nonprint resources for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology. “ (YALSA, 2011)
Naturally TTW is a great time to advocate for teens and technology, but as librarians our job is never really done. It is important that we keep TTW alive throughout the year for a number of reasons, but what it really comes down to is this: teens don’t just use technology during TTW, and we don’t want teens to just use the library during TTW. Here are some ideas for staying connected with your teens and keeping TTW alive throughout the year: (more…)
Teens love to think that they know all there is to know about social networking and online safety. They figure, they grew up with this stuff and have had Internet safety drilled into their heads since they were in elementary school. The problem is, privacy on the Internet and especially Facebook is always changing. Yes, the fundamentals remain the same – don’t talk to strangers (especially adults), don’t meet anyone you don’t know in person, don’t tell anyone where you live or give them your phone number, and be careful what pictures you put of yourself online, oh and if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Teens are pretty good at following these rules, but sometimes they make mistakes and the consequences can be devastating.
A teen I know very well, who will remain nameless, dealt with a pretty traumatic event towards the end of this past summer right before the start of the school year. Someone decided to create a Facebook persona with the sole purpose of saying who the hottest girls were at this teen’s high school. For reasons unbeknownst to me she decided it would be a good idea to accept this person’s friend request. (more…)
There’s still time to apply for this year’s TTW mini grants! The submission deadline is January 3, 2011 so hurry and submit your application materials.
What you win:
Four-hundred and fifty dollars to be used to implement a teen reading program that uses technology during TTW 2011. The 10 grant recipients will also be awarded $50 worth of official TTW promotional materials.
Who can apply:
All personal members of YALSA.
How to apply:
Read the guidelines on the YALSA website and then download the application and follow the submission instructions.
The winners will be announced the week of February 7th. Good luck!
Make sure you check out the 2011 TTW website for professional resources and program ideas.
