Libraries across the country—including our Teen Lounge—will be celebrating Teen Tech Week March 8th-March 14th. This year’s theme is “libraries are for making…” Our YA librarians are so excited to get teens making that they have special events and programs planned that extend beyond this week and stretch into April and May.
With the Maker Movement on the rise, it’s become clearer and clearer that a library is a place where inspiration turns into action. Right here! Instead of reading a how-to and then going home to tinker with your masterpiece, you can stay at the library and create it yourself! Our Innovation Station is a cutting-edge space where teens and adults (and children accompanied by an adult) can use our many technologies to bring their ideas to life. As a matter of fact, the Innovation Station will play host to a number of Teen Tech events, offering our local teens some great opportunities to get familiar with advanced technology and some really fun equipment. Be prepared to feel creative!
These upcoming programs are so exciting…I’m jealous of the teens that get to participate! The fun kicks off on March 14th in our Innovation Station kitchen when the Baking Coach demonstrates the basics of making Irish soda bread, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day (Remember: everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!). On March 26th, everyday items will get put together to create LED Popsicle stick flashlights.** Just a few days later on March 31st, our Ellison die-cutting machine will come in handy for any teens who would like to make uplifting bookmarks. These bookmarks will be hid around the library, hopefully brightening the days of those who find them. By the time we reach April 9th, the snow will be long gone and the flowers will be blooming (Please Mother Nature, please, please, please!). To celebrate, teens will use our Cricut to make colorful spring treat baskets. As we move into May, Cinco de Mayo will be honored in the Innovation Station, thanks to the colorful sombrero cookies that will be decorated. Finally, May is the month to honor Mom or any Mother figure in your life. The LPL can help you out with that, thanks to our handy button maker! Teens can make personalized buttons on May 7th.
Lastly, there are a few programs that are broken down into several installments or are offered on an on-going basis. For example, the Teen Lounge is hosting a fun competition called Name That Gadget. Throughout the month of March, teens can take a look at our Name That Gadget display and try to identify the different technologies; a winner will ultimately be selected from the correct entries. Also, the Teen Advisory Board, working together with other registrants, will spend the evenings of April 6th, 13th, and 27th readying for the Battle of the Recyclable Bands (May 8th), turning trash into functioning musical instruments. Finally, in April and May, we will be working in conjunction with Girls, Inc. to present an exciting program for girls in grades 9-12, Leadership and Community Action: Girls Breaking Barriers. Girls who participate will learn how to develop, shoot, and edit a Public Service Announcement that will address a relevant topic.
As you can see, libraries really are for making—making food, making crafts, making music, and most importantly, making a difference. Take a cue from our local teens and use your library to make something that will bring joy to your life or the lives of others. Celebrate Teen Tech Week with the LPL! Visit our website and newsletter for all the details. Also, make sure to call our YA department for further information, as registration is required for these events; you don’t want to get left out!
Happy Teen Tech Week,
Jess
**How cool is a Popsicle stick flashlight?! I want one!
