26 Easy Tips for Teens to Improve Technology Skills:
1 Download an ebook or audiobook from Libby.
2 Research and download a new app for your smartphone or tablet, or download a mobile app for your phone to scan your library card barcode so you never forget your library card at home again.
3 Start a Twitter, Instagram, or a Snapchat social network account as a way to find and share content about a topic of interest to you.
4 Write a blog post – about a library book or program you enjoyed, a hobby you enjoy, or something else that interests you!
5 Try out a book-focused site like GoodReads or LibraryThing.
6 Create a soundtrack or book trailer for your favorite book.
7 Create a YouTube or Animoto video about your library or a favorite book.
8 Ask your librarian or library staff to recommend a nonfiction book on an area of technology that interests you or a technology-related fiction book.
9 Add something to an article on Wikipedia.
10 How to set up a podcast for a group or club you belong to.
11 Many young adult authors welcome email from their readers, and many have their own websites, blogs, and Twitter/Facebook accounts.
12 Check out some DVDs, or CDs from your library.
13 Write and share instructions for a skill you already know how to do on https://www.instructables.com/
14 While you’re at it, find an “instructable” for a craft or maker project you could do using materials available at the Hershey Public Library, and try it!
15 Start a tech-related club at the Hershey Public Library.
16 Read and contribute to a blog about technology.
17 Sketch a plan for a piece of technology that would make your life easier or better in some way – it may even be something that you could try to build!
18 Learn the basics of coding using a free website. Try https://www.codecademy.com/!
19 Research and write a persuasive proposal to the Children’s librarian for a piece of technology, game, movie, technology-related book, ebook, or other tech-related item you think the library should have but does not yet have.
20 Volunteer to tutor library patrons who are new to using computers.
21 Learn how to DJ music or record music with a computer.
22 Search in an E-Resource for an article about your favorite musician.
23 Learn how to use some new software, and even create your own mobile app to submit for the Congressional App Challenge.
24 Take a free Gale Course on graphic design or digital photography.
25 Create a database of something you want to organize.
26 Download a newspaper article from the day you were born from an electronic database. (Power Library.)
BOOK & MEDIA
STEM Reads 4 Teens (.pdf) – free downloadable pamphlet
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
Amazing Audiobooks selects and annotates an annual list of notable audio recordings significant to young adults from those released in the past two years. Start building your audiobook collection here!
Odyssey Award
Co-administered by ALSC and YALSA, the Odyssey Award highlights the best audiobook production each year for children and adults.
Outstanding Books for the College Bound & Lifelong Learners
Check out the latest OBCB list (particularly the Science and Technology sub-theme)!
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
This list offers a range of titles, including a lot of DIY/techie books that may appeal to teens.