“Hack Your Pack” Design & Wearable Tech Project
Teens Get Connected during Teen Tech Week™ – March 5-8, 2019
Young Makers Get Hands-on with LEDS at The Sebastopol Regional Library
Sebastopol, CA – February 20, 2019 – Local teens will be tuning in at the library as The Sebastopol Regional Library celebrates the annual Teen Tech Week™, March 5-8, 2019. They join thousands of other libraries and schools across the country who are celebrating this year’s theme, “Get Connected” to raise awareness about how The Sebastopol Regional Library creates a space to extend teens’ learning beyond the classroom where they can explore, create and share content.
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technology, especially the types offered through libraries. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to take advantage of the technology at libraries for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals who can help them achieve greater digital literacy.
Rosalie Abbott, Teen Services Librarian, believes that “Modern libraries are swiftly changing with the times. Educating teens about what libraries now have to offer essential. We are constantly sharing about our digital resources: databases, apps, ebooks, eAudiobooks, digital comics & magazines. We also offer a variety of online services: AP, SAT, and ACT test prep, one-on-one tutoring, resume, and essay drop off. Providing access to technology tools, classes on coding and 3D printing, gaming, and hands-on projects is critical. Students are shocked when they find out about the multitude of technology resources we offer. We are constantly striving to raise awareness and educate young adults on how to access these resources. Once students are in the door, we can show them that with technology at the library, anything is possible.”
From maker spaces, to coding classes to sewing sessions now offered by libraries across the country, the do-it-yourself theme shows how libraries provide meaningful contributions to the educational and social development of the teens in the community.
“Teen Tech Week is an opportunity for librarians and educators to collaborate with and educate teens about technology,” says Librarian Abbott. “The library’s role in promoting digital literacy has become increasingly important–in today’s world, it is comparable to that of reading literacy.”
Teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Tech Week and this year’s Sebastopol Regional Library Teen Tech Week project, “Hack Your Pack” will help students learn the basics of design thinking and principles of diffusion & attachment while creating a wearable, functional project (a backpack) using technology and light that will be useful for their active life and light up the streets at night when they are walking, skateboarding, or riding their bike.
Join Maker Movement founders and leaders, makers and fashion designers on the cutting edge of functional creativity and exploration that will lead 12 brave students through a week of tampering with tech to create fashionable flare.
Interested students should register here. There is no charge to participate and all materials and instruction will be provided. Interested students need to commit to attending two, 2 hour sessions at The Sebastopol Public Library (March 5th and 7th from 3:30pm to 5:30pm). And, a special “Show and Tell” session and reception/open house will be held for Teen Tech Week students and their families (and any student that would like to share a project that they have been working on) on Friday, March 8th, from 7:00pm-8:30pm at Chimera Arts, Sonoma County’s first non-profit community arts and makerspace,located in downtown Sebastopol at the old Ford Garage building.
Teen Tech Week is held annually the second week of March. For more information, visit www.ala.org/teentechweek.
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About Sebastopol Public Library: The Sebastopol Regional Library has its roots in the first parcel map of Sebastopol drafted in 1871. The first modern use of the land was a schoolhouse. It later became Lincoln Hall and was used as a meeting place, city hall, and a community center. In 1916, through a Carnegie Grant, Sebastopol’s Public Library was built, providing access to a modern library building dedicated for all to acquire the knowledge for improving themselves. As Sebastopol grew, the Carnegie building proved inadequate for library functions, and, after the 1969 earthquake, it was deemed too expensive to save. In 1974, a new library building was built on the site. The land where the current library stands has always been used for civic and educational purposes. Starting in 2011, the Library went through a major remodel, improving the shelving systems, adding more computers for public use, and incorporating the library concept of single-point-of-public-service, among other improvements.
Sebastopol Regional Library
Open to the public Monday – Saturday
Monday, Wednesday – open 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – open 10am – 6pm
Sunday – closed
7140 Bodega Avenue
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Sebastopol Regional Library Website
Instagram: sonomacountylibrary
Facebook: sonomalibrary
Twitter: sonomacolibrary
About Chimera Arts: Chimera Arts is a place to unite and empower the Sonoma County creative community. A place where shared resources and workspace provide inspiration and opportunity for all. They offer a facility, tools, training and community for Sonoma County artists, makers, hackers and inventors.
Chimera Arts
Open to the public Monday – Friday 12pm-6pm
6791 Sebastopol Ave. Suite #180
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 827-3020
Instagram: chimeraartspace/
Facebook: chimera.art.space/
Meetup: Chimera-Arts-Maker-Space/
Github: chimera
Sebastopol Library contact: Rosalie C. Abbott • rabbot@sonomalibrary.org • 707.823.7691 x 1015
Media contact: Sherry Huss • sherry.huss@gmail.com • 415.902.2050
