Get ready to showcase your library's technology offerings during Teen Tech Week™. This year, TTW is March 8-14th and will be celebrated with a theme of "Libraries are for Making."
The purpose of Teen Tech Week is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of digital media, especially the nonprint resources offered through libraries, such as e-books, e-readers, databases, audiobooks, and social media.
There are lots of ways your library can participate in Teen Tech Week: you can offer special programs or activities, or simply encourage teens and parents to come to the library and check out your tech resources.
Here are free toolkits to plan for TTW at your library:
If you want to offer makerspace opportunities at your library but aren't sure you can spare the space, take a look at the range of "Make It Take It Kits" that the Meridian Public Library circulates. They lend make-it kits for robots, Raspberry Pi, sensory toys for children on the autism spectrum, Arduino, and lots more.
Make It, Take It Kits highlight maker activities and Do It Yourself (DIY) type projects. Each kit will have a theme and will combine traditional library resources (books, DVDs, magazines) with online resources (websites, youtube tutorials, digital content) and physical objects. The kit should encompass the materials and information needed to learn a new skill. The first kits to be introduced in January 2014 include:
If you're considering a 3D printer for your library, take a look at this option — Printeer is a 3D printer created specifically for kids, and it only needs an iPad and wifi to design and print.
