Teens “Press Play” @ the Library

By Jenn Beckstead, Young Adult Librarian

March 4, 2009

It seems like just yesterday my teenage niece was in kindergarten, learning to read and write. I was attending the University of Wyoming, and the distance provided the perfect setting for a little old-fashioned written correspondence, now fondly referred to as “snail mail.” I remember watching her skills improve as each letter arrived and thinking how much I was going to cherish those letters as she grew older.

Though we are still in touch, snail mail crawled to a screeching halt the day she got her first cell phone. Now, instead of handwritten letters, her short text messages make me wonder what exactly happened to those writing skills she learned so many years ago.

They must have been replaced by her phenomenal ability to multitask. While we are “talking,” she is also maintaining both text and verbal conversations with 3 or more friends, listening to songs on her iPod, and finishing her Algebra homework.

My niece is a typical 21st century teenager, plugged into a plethora of technologies at any given moment. These tech-tools shape how she and other adolescents interact with and learn about the world around them. Your library recognizes this new culture and has resources to help and encourage this generation as they learn and grow.

The Natrona County Public Library will celebrate the connection between teens and technologies during the 3rd annual Teen Tech Week, March 8-14, 2009 with the theme, “Press Play.” A variety of events will encourage teens in 7th-12th grade to experience, learn, and share in the technologies available at their library.

The festivities kick off early with Teen Movie Night on Friday, March 6. “The Dark Knight” (rated pg-13) will begin at 5pm and Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as the Joker will no doubt be a highlight. Pizza will be served, courtesy of The Friends of the Library.

March 10, teens will have a rockin’ good time as they “press play” to test their skills on “Dance, Dance Revolution”, “Guitar Hero 3” and “Rock Band.” Game On! begins at 2pm.

Whether your teen plays a musical instrument, sings, performs poetry, or has a flair for the stage, they will have a chance to share their talents as the Teen Zone transforms into a Teen Café at 7 p.m. on March 12. Performers should call or stop by the Teen Zone desk to sign up, as space is limited.

These fun events are just a few of the many opportunities for teens to connect with and learn from your library’s technological tools, available to every county citizen for free.

Stop by and browse music CDs, movies, and audiobooks, including books on individual Mp3 players called Playaways. Log on to the library’s website (www.natronacountylibrary.org ) and check out many online resources that can help in schoolwork, preparing for jobs, and enjoying hobbies.

Students of all ages can solve their homework headaches with a visit to Live Homework Help®, a FREE online tutoring service available to every Natrona County resident. Teens, kids, and adults alike can “Press Play” during Teen Tech Week and discover what awaits at your library.

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