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Teen Tech Tutors

Teen tutoring older man

Teen Tech Tutors is a hands-on monthly program in which local teens help others (mostly older adults) with technology questions. Patrons bring their own devices to the library where teens are available to answer questions and give one-on-one tech advice, training and support. This is a drop-in program; registration is not required.

It's Never Too Early: Media Literacy in Children’s Programming

To become a successful student and mature adult, children need to develop critical thinking skills. In the ever-changing world of electronic communication and emerging technologies, how can library workers help children develop and activate skills necessary to access, evaluate and create media? What better way to promote media literacy skill development than through library programming?

LibraryGame

One finished game made by a student.

The Librarygame project teaches fifth graders the concepts of storytelling, technology and project management through the creation of video games. The program is a collaboration between Sacramento Public Library and local Title I schools, many of which lack the funds to hold this type of program without a partner.

Teen Tech Week on a Budget

Teens using computers

This year’s Teen Tech Week (TTW) theme is Libraries are for Creating, with events taking place March 4 to 10, 2018. Teen Tech Week was created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), and this year's theme is aimed at encouraging teens to take advantage of “digital tools offered through the library to become content creators, and to leverage library resources to share out their creations.”

Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS) Workshop

GEMS participants

Girls in Engineering, Math and Science (GEMS) is a weekly STEM workshop series for teenage girls offered at five of our library system’s locations during the month of June. Participants get to meet influential women in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, learn about STEM opportunities and get hands-on experience with STEM technologies.

Each two-hour session consists of a presentation from a female professional in a STEM field, followed by a one-hour activity that explores and builds STEM skills among the participants.

Art Lab: Electric Painting

Girl using the electric paint project

Art Lab is a recurring program focusing on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), with a focus on art. It is held at 7 p.m. every Monday. The first and third Mondays of the month are planned lessons, and the second and fourth Mondays are open draw sessions for students to relax and meet other artists.

The information below focuses on the Art Lab lesson: Electric Painting, in which the students made an interactive sound device using paint.

Less Jargon, More Practice: Successful eBook Instruction

a woman holds a tablet in her hands

eBooks are fun, convenient and ... intimidating. Since publishers have become more accepting of making their eBooks available to libraries, the number of delivery platforms available at each library system has exploded. Each distributor has their own apps and tricks for use, sometimes making them difficult for our patrons to navigate.

Questions people may have about eBooks

My library system offers four different eBook and eMagazine platforms. Last month, I took on the challenge of developing and teaching a class about downloading and enjoying eBooks from our Library.

Back to the Future: Offering Back-to-Basics Programs for Technology-Challenged Patrons

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop

Close-up of hands typing on laptopThere’s no getting around it, computers touch nearly every facet of our lives. Need a job? Apply online. Need a resume? Fire up the word processing software and write one. Need to get in touch with someone? Email them. Want to see the latest pictures of your grandkids? Log on to Facebook.

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