Teens

Advocacy, Online Collaboration, Teens
Pre-Teen Read Week Freakonomics Style
October 6th, 2008 | Permalink | 4 Comments
A bunch of us here at WJ are fans of Freakonomics (the book and the blog). So, it’s with pleasure that the same day we highlight Teen Read Week resources over at WebJunction, Steven Levitt gives us a sneak peek look at intended titles in his 8-year-old daughter’s bookpile.

Some of Amanda’s choices are standard fare for any teen/pre-teen’s reading list:
- Princess Sonora and the long sleep, by Gail Carson Levine and Mark Elliott
- Half Magic by Edward Eager
- Carnival at Candlelight by Mary Pope Osborne
- etc….
Normal stuff, right? But then you keep reading and right down there at the end she drops the kind of zinger you still don’t expect (had you been expecting a zinger from an 8-year-old, that is), even from a child who’s been listening to their famous economist dad. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s worth viewing Amanda’s list for yourself.

Personally, I’m going to spy on my daughter’s night stand when I get home tonight. I don’t expect to find much indication that my work has influenced her reading choices, but then again, she’s only 7. Next year could be the big year for online community and information theory texts.

How about you? I’m sure some of you have some great stories to share. What’s the weirdest book you’ve ever seen a kid choose and why?

-Tim
Celebrations, Community Building, Library Management, Online Collaboration, Teens, Tim
Move over Free Cone Day: Saturday is Free Comics!
May 3rd, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

Each year in the Spring, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream runs a “free cone” promo at their stores. Kids (and parents) line up around the block—last year my two ice cream junkies waited 40 minutes—40 minutes on line and the cone was gone in five! Luckily, the goodies from Free Comic Book Day should last quite a bit longer (and could bring returns for years).

All you need to do is stop by a participating comic store and make your free pick from a selection of titles like Archie, Superman, Hellboy, World of Aspen, X-men, Tiny Titans and many more. Seriously. These are free. I know you are thinking: “What’s the catch?” Nothing is free, right?

(more…)
Library Services, Question of the Week, Tech, Teens
Question of the Week: Gen-Y Heaviest Library Users?
March 6th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?

This seems like a fitting topic to tackle as we wind down Teen Tech Week 2008. As many of you are no-doubt familiar, a recent IMLS-sponsored Pew Internet Study looked at library use (among other things) and came to what some are calling surprising conclusions.

According to the study results, it appears that libraries indeed remain relevant in this internet age. In fact, the study found more than half of all Americans manged to visit libraries last year. Even more surprisingly, those tech-savvy, web-loving, Wikipedia using Gen-Yers were the biggest library users of all.

To start a discussion on the topic, WebJunction member alatreil asked:

“Would you say that Generation Y (18-30-year-olds) are your library’s heaviest users? What do you think this means for your library—and what does it mean for the nation’s libraries?“

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please post in the original thread, or here in the blog comments.
Advocacy, Teens
Tune-In: Teen Tech Week 2008 is Here
February 29th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?
We’re on the cusp of the second annual YALSA Teen Tech week. The program encourages teens to “tune-in” and use their local library as the place they can become competent and ethical users of technologies ranging from research databases to DVD authoring to music downloads.

We’ve started a discussion thread to help the WJ community to share creative ideas for activities, promotions, and events. Come to think of it, this is also a great place for procrastinators (we know who we are) to harvest compelling, last-minute programming ideas.

As part of next week’s event, YALSA is conducting a two-phase survey to learn more about how teens access and use technology, including social networking sites; one bonus outcome of the week should mean a better understanding of teen technology habits and skills for all of us.

As always, we encourage you to post your ideas and experience (and images!) here and in the forums. Here are a few resources to get you started:
- WebJunction Teen and Technology Resources
- Teen Tech info at the YALSA Wiki
- Activity Ideas for Teen Tech Week
- Background on Teen Tech week
- 25 self-directed Teen Tech activities (There’s some great stuff—suggestions to blog, create a YouTube video, Try LibraryThing, and much more)
We look forward to hearing about your plans and experiences!
Library Services, Teens
Teen Tech Week coming in March
December 10th, 2007 | Permalink | Comment?

Start planning now for 2008 Teen Tech Week, March 2-8. The YALSA committee is providing you with a great way to start: a podcast on Blogging About Teens & Teen Services. Be sure to check out all the ways to get onboard, including the mini grants available (Jan 7 deadline) to YALSA members.

WebJunction is always looking for your stories about Teen Tech Week or other ways you’re promoting your Services for Teens. Keep us posted in discussions or share your comments here.

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Teens

Advocacy, Online Collaboration, Teens

Pre-Teen Read Week Freakonomics Style

Celebrations, Community Building, Library Management, Online Collaboration, Teens, Tim

Move over Free Cone Day: Saturday is Free Comics!

Library Services, Question of the Week, Tech, Teens

Question of the Week: Gen-Y Heaviest Library Users?

Advocacy, Teens

Tune-In: Teen Tech Week 2008 is Here

Library Services, Teens

Teen Tech Week coming in March