Library hosts Teen Tech Week in March

Bluffton teens will be tuning in as Bluffton Public Library celebrates the third annual Teen Tech Week March 7-13, according to Rikki Steingass of the library staff.

They join tousands of other libraries and schools across the country who are celebrating this year's theme, "Learn Create Share @ Your Library." 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 technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries. The 2010 theme -Learn Create Share @ your library - fosters teen creativity and positions the library as a physical and virtual place for safe exploration of the many types of technology available through libraries, including DVDs, music, gaming, video production, online homework help, social networking, tech workshops, audiobooks and more.

In celebration of Teen Tech Week the Bluffton Public Library will host two free teen programs: Hardwear Jewelry and Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Team Tournament.

The Hardwear Jewelry program will be held on at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 11, in the library activity room. All participants ages 12 and up will learn about an fashion trends based on the book, "Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox," by Hannah Rogge and will create several new pieces of jewelry to take home. Participants are encouraged to bring a pair of pliers.

The at 4 p.m., Thursday, March 18, the library Teen Advisory Board will host a Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl team tournament for teams of two, ages 12 an up. Pre-registration is required for this program and participants may check in at 3:30 p.m. the day of the program. Prizes will be awarded to the top team. Register at the library front desk or call 419-358-5016.

Teen Tech Week is held annually the second week of March. For an updated list of sponsors and supporting organizations, visit www.ala.org/teentechweek.