Technology and Teen Programming at the Library

Peggy from the Idaho Commission for Libraries and Heather from Lewiston City Library have asked me to do a brief presentation at a regional workshop in October. For librarians who work with youth, the workshop will give them new ideas for youth programming.

They asked me to report on the use of technology for programming, including blogging and Twitter, also SKYPE. I’ll be happy to spread the news about how libraries can have an author published in 2009 visit their school or library for free, during the year 2009, via the “Authors to Go” program. It’s a great opportunity to connect teens with books and authors and, I am sad to say, I suspect that very few libraries are aware of this fantastic resource. I hope that the class of 2K10 will continue the tradition.

During Summer Reading at my library, my writer friends and I offered a six-week writing program for an enthusiastic group of teen writers. Rosanne Parry, author of Heart of a Shepherd, and member of the Class of 2K9, was one of our guests. Though she was unable to visit us in person, we were able to chat with her via SKYPE. We had the special treat of seeing her in her native habitat, i.e. her writing space, which was both unusual and enviable—a treehouse!

The Class of 2K9 is offering other ways of connecting teens, books and authors through technology. They are also willing to do interviews via their blog. In rural areas such as where I live, technology has become THE resource for connecting teens, books, and authors.