YALSA offers Teens & Technology institute in Maryland in April

Contact: Stephanie Kuenn


YALSA Communications Specialist


(312) 280-2128


skuenn@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


March 31, 2009

CHICAGO —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will offer a full-day institute on using technology to reach teens in libraries on April 30 at the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association, Charlotte Hall, Md.

Linda Braun, consultant for Librarians & Educators Online and YALSA president-elect, will lead the institute from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 30.

Participants will explore how teen literacies such as reading, writing and communicating are expanding and changing via technologies like chat, IM, blogs, text messaging, wikis and more. Other topics include:

• How today's teens are reading, writing and seeking out information using technology;
• The link between gamers and graphic novel readers and how technology helps bridge the two interests;
• The ethical issues related to teen use of these technologies; and
• How library workers can incorporate these technologies into their services and programs.

YALSA currently offers four institutes for licensing, supplying top-rate presenters, materials and content. Each institute is appropriate for public library systems, state libraries, state library associations and school districts. Contact Beth Yoke at
byoke@ala.org or by phone at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4391, to learn more about booking a YALSA institute.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to
www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail,
yalsa@ala.org.