Professional Literature: Sex, Brains and Video Games

Pierce, Jennifer Burek. Sex, Brains and Video Games: A Librarian's Guide to Teens in the Twenty-first Century. Chcago: American Library Association, 2008

In this insightful guide, Jennifer Burek Pierce provides a fascinating look at today’s teen through the lens of neurological, psychological and educational research. Putting this research in the context of library services, she challenges librarians to question their assumptions about teen patrons and provide new answers based on research finding. Much like early literacy research informed library services to youngest patrons, this provocative book outlines what others who work with adolescents have learned from their professional activities and how that knowledge can encourage new priorities and partnerships in youth services. (promotional description)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/141482854

A New Kind of Reading

Article submitted by Amy Catbagan, Koelbel Library.

It is very common for teens today to access both informational and recreational reading resources online. Some people question whether this form of reading should be viewed in the same light as reading physical resources such as books or print journals.

This article explores the difference of engaging with text in print versus digital formats, presenting multiple perspectives on the topic and exploration of reading styles themselves. It is a great resource for examining the affect of digital media on the reading and learning styles of teenagers.

Rich, Motoko. "Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?" Times Online. 27 July 2008.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin

Digital Natives / Digital Immigrants

Article submitted by Lisa Chipouras, ALD Answers.

The teens we serve in our libraries today are considered "Digital Natives." This generation has grown up with the Internet as a common feature in their day-to-day life. Because of this, teens of this era encounter and process information in a different manner than the many generations that have come before.

Below is the citation and link to an article concerning the topic of generational differences in information access. Post a response about your experience with this generational difference or how you relate to the type of teen talked about in the article. If you disagree with the premise, outline where you think the author is misguided.

O'Brien, Catherine. "How the Google generation thinks differently." Times Online. 9 July 2008.
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4295414.ece

NATIVES v IMMIGRANTS

Digital natives:
Like receiving information quickly from multiple media sources.
Like parallel processing and multi-tasking.
Like processing pictures, sounds and video before text.
Like random access to hyperlinked multimedia information.
Like to network with others.
Like to learn “just in time”.

Digital immigrants:
Like slow and controlled release of information from limited sources.
Like singular processing and single or limited tasking.
Like processing text before pictures, sounds and video.
Like to receive information linearly, logically and sequentially.
Like to work independently.
Like to learn “just in case”.

Interest Group Introductions

Hello Everyone! During our last meeting, we shared information about our high school experiences with partners and the larger group. Often times, our early experiences in life shape the decisions we make in the future (such as career choice).

Write a post about why you have chosen to work in libraries, the experiences you have had in the library you work at now, and any additional information on how your earlier life experiences continue inform your work serving the public (particularly teens). Use this post as a way to introduce yourself to the group. I look forward to hearing from everyone! : )

Logistics of posting:

1) Click on Comment link included with this post

2) Login with your existing Google account or Create a Google account

3) Write a comment

4) Sign into your account on the comment page

5) Select Publish Your Comment