TMCnet News
New programs coming to Boynton library, including teen tech center [The Palm Beach Post, Fla.](Palm Beach Post (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 01--For teens today, understanding technology is a must. So, the director of the Boynton Beach City Library is making sure that the community's children are prepared. With the help of a grant, the library is rolling out the Teen Virtual Zone, which will be equipped with Apple products and software for the teens to create digital projects. "It's designed to prepare them for the real world. A lot of these kids are very creative and they don't have an outlet to use that creativity so we've invested in some computer programs and computer hardware that they can come in and use," said library Director Craig Clark. The new program is about nine months in the making. About 28 teens met three times during the past few months and told library staff what they'd like. Clark said he got the idea from the American Library Association Conference. He heard other libraries throughout the country, including in Chicago and Miami, have a similar program but on a larger scale, called YOUMedia. This program is one of several new activities the library will offer this year. The additions will be paid for with money from a grant from the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services. The library was given permission by the City Commission in September to apply for the grant. The estimated amount of money the library will receive is $84,664, according to documents. Grant money also will pay for an increase in bandwidth capacity, which will make the Internet run faster. Also, residents with a library card will be able to learn languages and read magazines online through Transparent Language and Zinio, accessible in the building or elsewhere. A $16,000 Comcast grant will pay for computer classes, including Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. But Clark said the teens seem to be most excited about the Teen Virtual Zone. The area will have two iMacs, two MacBook Pros, two iPads, cameras and a keyboard. One of the classes offered through the Comcast grant will be solely for teens to learn programs to create digital projects. "They'll be able to go in and design certain things," Clark said. "We'll have Photoshop on them as well, Anime Studio Debut, they'll be able to create their own animated-type videos, they'll be able to design digital-type things. The future is technology and the teens really need technology access. We really think it's going to help in their future success." ___ (c)2014 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at www.palmbeachpost.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |