Teen Tech Week 2007

By Jenn Beckstead, Young Adult Librarian

February 21, 2007

Did you know that teens spend almost as much time per day using technology as they do sleeping? Yes, you read that right. According to a 2005 study by Harris Interactive, an average teen spends 6 hours and 21 minutes per day using technology such as TV, DVDs, video games, computers, iPods, and mp3 players. That is close to the time they spend sleeping.

The American Library Association has launched Teen Tech Week with the theme “Get Connected,” to be celebrated March 4-10, 2007.  Teen Tech Week aims to get teens into the library to connect with the many technologies their library offers. 

Library technologies include free internet access from the library’s computers or a laptop equipped with a wireless card, DVDs, music CDs, and audiobooks for checkout, and eAudiobooks that can be downloaded onto an MP3 player.  The library webpage has many links providing access to online resources, databases for school research, and even homework help websites.  Teen Tech week encourages teens to explore these technologies and more at their library.

NCPL will host several events related to Teen Tech week to help teens “Get Connected.”  “Read the Movie, See the Book” will feature a movie based on the novel “Operation Stormbreaker” by Anthony Horowitz.  Teens can read the book, and then join us on Wednesday, March 8 from 6-8 pm to watch the movie.  After the film, teens will discuss how well Hollywood adapted the novel to fit the silver screen.

NCPL will host our first Dance, Dance, Revolution (DDR) event for teens on Thursday, March 9 from 4-6 pm.  You bring the energy and a clean pair of socks, we’ll provide the fun! For adults who have never experienced the thrill and excitement of DDR, we invite you to stop by NCPL’s booth at the Blue Envelope Health Fair on March 24 at the Casper Events Center to see what the fuss is all about. 

Speaking of technology, teens can check out the Teen Zone blog at ncplteenzone.blogspot.com for more details on Teen Zone programs, books, and authors.  If you are looking for something exciting to read, check out one of the book reviews written by Casper teens and NCPL librarians.  Recently reviewed titles include: “The Lovely Bones,” by Alice Sebold, “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak, “Incantation,” by Alice Hoffman, and “Flight: Volume One.”  If you have read something lately that you can’t wait to tell other teens about, make sure to click on the Book Review Form and send us your review.

Technology isn’t just limited to teens.   Your Natrona County Public Library offers many technologies for everyone to “Get Connected” on a regular basis.  Computers are available to all patrons, as well as wireless access for those with a laptop and wireless card.  Free computer classes are held each month on a variety of programs.  In addition to a variety of DVDs, music CDs, and books on tape or CD, NCPL provides downloadable eAudiobooks, online information databases, and instruction books on various computer programs.  Ask a librarian for details, or call 237-4935 ext 2 for more information.

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