YAs as Producers Proposal
Needs Assessment
The Jefferson Township Library has a small but dedicated group of teens. As the YA librarian, I create, plan and run several programs targeted for this age group. However, there are few opportunities for the teens to be an active part of the library. This age group thrives on exploring their independence and they need groups and programs that actively involved them. Many teens are willing to embrace their creativity and are experimenting, trying to find their own voice and their own identity. My goal is to provide a safe and welcoming virtual space where teens can express themselves, experiment and create while also learning skills that will serve them well in college or in the workforce. To address this need, I want to focus on YAs as producers. How can the library enable teens to produce their own content and how can teens enrich the library?
Why Social Software?
Encouraging teens to write, create artwork, take photographs and make videos does not require the use of Web 2.0 technologies. What benefits will result from using social network software to implement YA as producers?
1) Develops a skill set
There is an increasing demand to produce content for the Internet. Most businesses have their own web pages, many top professionals in various fields produce blogs, podcasting and vodcasting are becoming increasingly popular and well known newspapers like the Christen Science Monitor are ceasing print production altogether in favor of web based content. Applicants who have experience creating multimedia content for the Internet will have an edge when applying for jobs or colleges.
2) Encourages shared learning
Teens will be able to comment, encourage and critic their peers’ work in the group which will help to improve and hone their skills. Participants will be encouraged to act as proofreaders or ‘betas’ for each other. A shared body of content will be created and archived.
3) Convenience and a wider reach
Creating a virtual space with no set meeting time will draw in teens who cannot get to the library on a regular basis. Many teens are involved in sports and other after school activities making it difficult to find a time and day that everyone will be able to attend. Members of the group will be able to post content at any time and from any computer. Other group members can read, view and comment on their peers’ posts at their convenience.
Project Proposal
There are two parts to this proposal.
1) Workshops
In the library, we will offer to series of workshops (“Vodcasting for Teens” “Image Editing for Teens”) where teens will create their own podcasts, vodcasts, blogs, and edit images. These workshops will mix hands on experience using programs to create content with tips and tricks about creating content for the web including such topics as safety and privacy as well as what makes services and web pages ‘sticky’.
The library already owns ten laptops that are used to teach computer classes. Most of the services and programs that we will use when conducting these workshops are free or already a part of the Windows Operating System. The only equipment we will need to purchase is a microphone for each laptop.
2) Library Writers Ning
A social network will be set up using Ning.com, a service that allows its users to create and moderate their own social network community. This social network will function as a virtual multimedia ‘writers’ workshop’. Instead of a group that meets once a month under the direction of the teen librarian to share writing projects and receive feedback, Library Writers will be a place where teens can post stories, poems, essays, art, photographs, videos and audio files and receive feedback from their peers. Teens that might not be able to commit to meeting once a month on a certain day will be able to post content and comments at their convince. The purpose is to create a small, local and safe virtual space for teens to experiment and find their voice. The skills they learn creating web content for fun will become marketable skills that they can take into a college or work setting. Posting and commenting access will be restricted to members only. When posting, members will have the option of allowing their content to be viewed by the public or only by other members. The YA librarian will moderate the community, approving new members, ensuring all members follow the rules of the community, initiating discussions on the forum and banning any member who violates the stated rules.
Benefits of using Ning
There are many free services that enable publishing original content on the Internet; Flickr, YouTube and Blogger are some of the most well known. There are several reasons I chose Ning as the best format. Ning allows a variety of media formats to be posted in one place. The strong social networking aspect makes it very easy to share content and comment on other members’ blogs, pictures and videos. Because Ning is a ‘create-your-own’ network, the creator (the YA Librarian) has complete administrator control. Access to the social network can be restricted, giving the librarian control over who can join, post, comment and even view the posts.
Evaluation
Short Term Goals (1 to 2 months)
1) 5 to 10 teen patrons will join the Library Writers social network
2) High attendance to teen technology workshops (8-10 participants per class)
Long Term Goals
(1 year)
1) At least 15 to 20 teen patrons will be active participants of the Library Writers social network (active = posting, commenting or participating in discussions at least once every two weeks)
2) Increased demand for teen technology workshops (registration for programs exceeding the 10 participant limit leading to additional program sessions to meet demand)
3) At least 10 to 15 participants in a ‘Promote you Library!’ video/image contest
(2-5 years)
` 1) Increased membership and activity in Library Writers social network
2) Increased attendance at teen technology workshops
3) Teen volunteers assist in running teen technology workshops
4) 1 to 4 teen volunteers act as assistant administrators to help YA Librarian moderate Library Writers
5) Evaluate social network and workshops ‘Are there new technologies that we should incorporate?’
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