Hyperlinks: Technology Catching Teens Outside the Library

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Hyperlinks Technology Catching Teens Outside the
Library

• YALSA Outreach to Young Adults With Special Needs
  Committee

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Hyperlinks Agenda

• Who might access our resources?
• How do teens seek information online?
• Elizabeth Figa, Ph.D. Shannon Bomar
• How can we serve teens with technology?
• YRead Annisha Jeffries
• Flamingnet.com Seth Cassel
• 2nd Life Kelly Czarnecki
• Other Practices Lisa Youngblood
• What issue can be involved?

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Which Teens Access Information Outside the
Library?

• Homeschool teens
• Teens without transportation
• Teens parents
• Teens who are ill
• Incarcerated teens
• Working teens
• Shy teens
• Teens with sensory or mobility differences
• Just about any teenager

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Outreach Through Technology

• Reaching out to those teens who either cannot or
  do not visit the Library.
• Reaching out to teens where they are.
• Adding an additional dimension to your library
  services.
• Taking the opportunities that technologies afford
  us to make a difference for teens.

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Teen Information Seeking Research

• Elizabeth Figa, Ph.D.
• Shannon Bomar

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How Can We Use Technology to Serve Teens
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Issues With Technology Services

• Governance
• IT Department
• Cost
• Personnel Time
• Lack of Access
• Universal Design
• Publicity

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Governance and Technology

• Work with your governing entity.
• Be prepared to explain the importance of your
  technology outreach.
• Be prepared with answers to questions that will
  arise.
• Making your own sites without permission may
  cause additional problems.

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IT and Technology

• Talk to your IT Department.
• Explain what you want to do, and attempt to get
  buy in.
• Time and money can be saved by working
  efficiently with individuals who have knowledge
  and authority in the area.

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Cost of Technology

• Cost varies greatly.
• Costs can mount unexpectantly.
• Grants are often available.
• Keep up with statistics or hits to help justify
  your services.
• Remember that staff time is a cost.
• Publicity is also an additional cost.

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Lack of Access

• Incarcerated teens
• Economically disadvantaged teens
• Hospitalized teens
• Senosry accessibility
• Mobility accessibility

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Universal Design for Technology

• Accessibility from the Ground Up
• www.accessibility.nl/internet/ebrochure/brochure/
  index.html?langid1
• AccessIT Knowledge Base Articles
• www.wasington.edu/accessit/faqs.php?ButtonQA
• Web Accessibility Initiative
• www.w3.org/WAI/
• Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM)
• www.webaim.org

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Publicizing Technology Outreach

• Ads in newspapers, local newsletters, etc.
• Fliers, brochures, handouts
• Schools, malls, churches, alternative schools,
  etc. (fliers, ads, etc.)
• Webpage
• Radio and television
• Word of mouth

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Hyperlinks Wiki

• http//wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Technology_as
  _an_Outreach_Tool