by Sue Walker

More than 1,600 teens statewide celebrated Teens and Technology Week in March. Forty-four public or school libraries used the YALSA theme “Geek Out @ Your Library” or a theme of their own to demonstrate to teens that libraries are more than just books. Programs included making posters with teens and community partners, opening a teen zone in the library, creating book trailers, hosting a Wii tournament, and exploring “retro” technology that teens might not be aware of (you used that before computers?!) Fourteen participating libraries hosted Teens and Technology events for the first time, and most participants indicated they would do so again. All participating libraries received promotional materials from ICfL, and many collaborated with other libraries or community organizations to promote activities. A complete summary of activities is available here. 

Watch LibIdaho for details about Teen Read Week in October, or contact Erica Compton or Sue Walker  at ICfL with ideas on how to use the theme “It Came From the Library” to involve teens.