Social community web sites such as YouTube allow teens to share their digital creations with one another. YouTube is largely dominated by short films, photographic video, and diary-style media that members create, upload, and share with one another. After viewing homemade films by teenagers on the YouTube web site, I noticed some different approaches that youth utilize when making their films.

“Spur of the Moment” video footage seems to be the theme for the majority of teen-created films on YouTube. Within these films, the footage is not scripted, but rather photographic, serving as a record of time. An example of this is Kyle Gone Crazed, a film where the videographer spontaneously captures a moment within the school library as he badgers his friends with on-the-fly humor. This type of film is appealing because it captures the “spirit” of the moment. They often seem like inside jokes between the person filming the event, and the person being filmed.

Planned and scripted videos by teenagers are less abundant, but they certainly are being created.Within these films, teens have created music videos, short dramas, school video projects, or improvised scripts with a purpose. An example of this is the Ghost Busters Music Video, which obviously required work on behalf of the teens to brainstorm script ideas, capture multiple scenes, sequentially arrange the footage, and queue the music.

As a librarian working with teens to produce digital media, what film-style would you suggest for a video project? Obviously the on-the-fly film requires less effort and a video with multiple scene changes might take a long time to produce. If you and the teens are unfamiliar with video editing, then it’s probably best to stick with something as minimal as possible. However, we don’t want to limit creativity, so why not try and get the best of both worlds?

For example, the Dewey Decimal Query shows a young teen asking for the Dewey number of the Science Fiction books. It is funny because his tone of voice sounds very geeky. This humor was obviously planned, but the skills needed to edit the clip required minimal effort as there is only one scene in the video. I would advise that our video projects start out small such as in the case with the Dewey Decimal Query film. Teen media groups can build up to the bigger projects such as the aforementioned Ghost Busters Music Video, after having more familiarity with the technology.

I’m adapting my use of the term reprint to coincide with amazon.com’s definition. From here on out or until I decide to change something yet again, reprints will include not only those golden oldies, but also those paperback copies that have been previously released in hardcover, instead of its previouslocation under paperbacks. Thus, the paperback section will feature new titles only. This newsletter’s information was gathered during the weekend of 3/10-3/12. (By the end of next week, I should be caught up from the missed weekends from Spring Break.)

Paperback
No new paperback releases this week.

Reprints
Gifts - Ursula K. Le Guin
Ryhmes with Witches - Lauren Myracle
The Grand Tour: Being a Revelation of Matters of High Confidentiality and Greatest Importance, Including Extracts From the Intimate Diary of a Noble Woman and the Sworn Testimony of a Lady of Quality - Patricia Wrede

The Alternative Teen Services web site started out as a place for a coworker and I to share our ideas and passion about working with teens. Last month, we invited a new blogger on board, Josh, who has contributed several postings, my favorite of which is the motivational post about gamer rights.

So what’s next? New bloggers? A smart layout? Vodcasts? Podcasts?
Well, that depends on what you think. Do you have any ideas? Please consider joining an online discussion group in which we brainstorm the mission, values, and plans for the Alternative Teen Services Web site. Think of it as an informal focus group, with the intentions of making the web site usable and resourceful for teen librarians. With the web site still under construction, we have a lot of decisions to make and we want your help.

Please contact me if you are interested.

stephanie.iser [at] gmail.com

 Nonfiction - Ask CosmoGIRL! About Your Body:  

 All the Answers to Your Most Intimate Questions Author: Editors of Cosmogirl/ISBN: 1588164861 

Format: Paperback/Price: $5.95 The brand name “CosmoGirl” will attract familiar teen readers. (Previous books published by these creators have received the ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers award 2006.) 

Nonfiction - Do You Know Your Teen? Author: Dan Carlinsky/ISBN: 140220681x 

Format: Paperback/Price: $5.95 This one isn’t exactly something a teen would read, . Wacky trivia aimed at parents, youth workers, and teachers to bond, communicate, and LOL with their teens.  

Example questions taken from book: (Question 42.) What article of clothing does your teen wish you’d never wear? 

(Question 46.) Your teen thinks burying a dead pet cat or dog with a headstone is: __ appropriate and sweet 

__ demeaning to dead human beings __ no big deal–whatever people want 

Nonfiction - The Science of Anime: Mecha-Noids and AI-Super-Bots
Author:Lois H Gresh, Robert Weinberg/ISBN: 1560257687
Format: Paperback/Price: $15.95
This title isn’t new to the scene, but I saw it at Half Price Books and felt the need to comment on its intriguing blend of information. When I first thumbed through the pages, I found several references to contemporary works. Before the discussion on technoclogical aspects in anime are evaluated, the authors first dive into the history of Japanese manga and comics. The depth of information continues throughout the book and may feel discouraging for those possessing only a mild interest in anime. 

New Releases 

Hardcover Club Dread (Hunted #2). Walter Sorrells.  

Hip Hop High School. Alan Lawrence Sitomer. Klepto. Jenny Pollack. 

Listening at the Gate (The Seeker Chronicles). Betsy James.  Prom Anonymous. Blake Nelson.  

Two Steps Forward. Rachel Cohn. 

Paperback 

Daniel Half Human. David Chotjewitz.  Mates, Dates Simply Fabulous (Books 1-4). Cathy Hopkins.  

Playing in Traffic. Gail Giles. Pretty Things. Sara Manning.  

Rewind. Laura Dower.  The Hoopster. Alan Lawrence Sitomer. 

The Schwa was Here. Neal Shusterman.  MTV Series: 

Cruel Summer. Kylie Adams.  Life as a Poser. Beth Killian. 

The Pursuit of Happiness. Tara Alberbrando. 

Reprints House of Dies Drear. Virginia Hamilton. 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Richard Bach. (new size 8 1/2″ x 7″) 

I recently discovered a new organization dedicated toward empowering video gamers to protect their own rights in regards to gaming. I found this to be particularly interesting at a time when video games are finally gaining a place in the library through both programming and collections. The website gives a brief overview of the site saying,

The Video Game Voters Network exists to empower Americans who play video games to take action against threats to this entertainment medium and to stay informed about the latest issues that could affect our choice in video game entertainment. Video games are a modern form of entertainment entitled to the same creative and free speech protections afforded by the US Constitution to older media such as movies, music, and books.

The site encourages gamers to join and to take action. Taking action involves sending a prewritten letter to your senators in opposition of the “The Family Entertainment Protection Act“, which would put restrictions on the sale of video games with the United States. They also try to get people to spread the word and to be voters.
As library professionals we should be very concerned with the concepts of free speech and freedom of creativity. When somebody tries to ban a book in the schools, or worse yet, have a title removed from the public library, librarians rally forth to defend the freedoms we have come to believe in. I think it is just as important to protect these freedoms when it comes to video games as it is books.
Additional benefits to youth librarians that can be found on this site are a variety of facts and information about games and gamers. This information can be used to defend the decision to have video game programming, or video games in the collection. These sections will provide you with facts about the age of gamers, information about violence in video games, and much more.

In my young adult lit class we have been asked to help with one of the most interesting library programs going on across the country.

We will be helping a band called The High Strung kick off their National Library tour.That’s right; a popular rock band is going on a tour of libraries, throughout the nation. Their website has a short article which talks all about the tour.

Make History with The First-Ever National Rock & Roll Library Tour Featuring…THE HIGH STRUNG!

Are you looking for a high-energy, teen summer reading program?

Last year the quirky, carefree, energetic music of Detroit’s The High Strung electrified Michigan’s teen patrons with their sunny three-part harmonies and witty, lyrical bravado. This year the furious guitars and squonking organ that accompany the band’s catchy sing-along choruses are roaming the country, headed in your direction. Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best new, young rock & roll bands in America, NPR’s Ken Tucker named The High Strung’s debut album These Are The Good Times as one of the Top 10 Rock Records of 2003, and the Washington Post called the title track “runner up best song of the year.” In August of 2005, in a segment touting the Library Tour, The High Strung was also featured on National Public Radio’s This American Life.

In addition to playing a full-set of their rousing Beatlesque jams, teens will get the first hand low-down about making records for major music industry labels. They’ll also get an insider’s view of creating a video for MTV and learn about touring on the road year-round all across the country. But in what’s sure to be the highlight of this first ever National Rock and Roll Library tour, at each appearance the band will solicit the audience’s help in writing and improvising a song on the spot.

For further information, to inquire about cost, or to book the band for your Teen Summer Reading Program call William Harmer, Teen Librarian of the Baldwin Public Library at 248-554-4656 or email harmerbi@baldwinlib.org. Bookings will be on a first come, first served basis, with one library show per state. Don’t let your teens be left out of this unique experience. The deadline to book the band for your summer reading program is March 10, 2006.

This could be a great way for libraries to reach out to the young adults in their communities.If you’re in the area, I encourage you to check out this opening show at the Detroit Public Library on April 5^th at 5:30pm.

There is an interesting discussion going on over at the YALSA Blog, where librarians share their experiences of working with teen advisory boards. One comment that struck me as unique was Tricia Suellentrop’s. She was interviewed by members of the Teen Advisory Board before receiving her position as a Teen Librarian.

interviewing me for the Teen Librarian position My boss wanted teens to help decide who the Teen Librarian should be so they sat in on the 2nd round of interviews, listened to our booktalks and answers, and asked their own questions and deliberated afterwards. They delighted in reminding me who got me my job:)

Wow! Talk about teen involvement!

YALSA is accepting applications from young adult book discussion groups who wish to be considered for YALSA’s YA Galley/Teens’ Top Ten project. YA Galley is an ongoing project in which publishers of young adult books provide copies of their recent titles to teen book discussion groups in libraries. In exchange, teen readers evaluate books for the publishers.

Applications are due by May 1, 2006 and can be mailed to: YALSA, YA Galley Application, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, Illinois, 60611. Successful candidates will be announced shortly after the 2006 ALA Annual Meeting.

Press Release link

While reviewing articles about youth and zine media, I came across the closing of an article that struck me as revolutionary. The author argues that self-published youth culture builds better environments. More the reason to include teen publications such as zines, podcasts, artwork, vodcasts, blogs, discussion boards, etcetera in the teen library.

Zines provide one way of interacting with youths as initiators and producers of their own social agendas…and representations. Particularly, the articulation of zines as a “place” for “disenfranchised kids” points to the type of ideal space young publishers envision for themselves. This is a space where neither mainstream media nor other institutions of power have the last word on youth and particularly on the value of young people’s engagement with media.

Instead zines attest to the importance of looking at youth-initiated media as realms of meaning and agency, particularly as they serve to illuminate young people’s own perceptions of what is wrong with their larger social environments. Of course, zines are not the only “place” young people have claimed as their own. Some complaints of the predominance of “white boyz” within zine circles suggest that it would not be adequate only to engage the youth publishers in the zine world. Other avenues for conversing with youths need to be explored. Within youth media culture, this may include youth-produced music such as hip-hop or punk, video poetry, and graffiti art.

As this article shows, the media as an environment for youths look tremendously different and richer when zine publishers’ own perceptions are center stage. Further engagement by youth musicians, artists, and other youths can only add much needed contours to the road map necessary for building better environments. — Julie Chu, Navigating the media environment: How youth claim a place through Zines. Fall 1997 v24 n2 p71(15) 

Amanda shares new book releases in the Brave & Brass Book Blog. I find Amanda’s updates to be not only informative and useful to librarians serving teens, but also enjoyable to read. She puts a reflective spin on reviews by sharing how the Trails West library teens respond to new materials:

Westerfeld! Westerfeld! RAH! RAH! RAH! The Midnighter gang is back for the final installment. I had to buy a copy from the bookstore, since our library hasn’t received one, for my Teen Advisory Group who are still screaming at each other to be the next to borrow it.

Not only are the reviews entertaining, they are short and sweet–taking 5-10 minutes to read an entire posting. Librarians hoping to be informed and entertained will want to syndicate the The Brave and Brass Book Blog.