Stillwater Public Library encourages teens to create, learn and share during ´Teen Tech Week'

(STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA / March 8, 2023) – The Stillwater Public Library (SPL) will join libraries across the country to celebrate ‘Teen Tech Week,” a national initiative from the American Library Association that encourages teens to become “competent and ethical users of technologies.” On Tuesday, March 21, teens in grades 6-12 will create short stop motion films, and then on Friday, March 24, they will reconvene for a watch party with popcorn and hot chocolate.

“Teen Tech Week” kick-starts on Tuesday, March 21, from 6-8 p.m., where teens will work in small groups to direct their own mini-films by creating scenes out of everyday objects. Librarians will help teens plan and photograph the scenes for their movies using Stop Motion Studio, a free application that creates stop-motion animation from photos and audio. The library will provide items for teens to use to construct their movie “sets” and devices preloaded with Stop Motion Studio to record their films. Teens are welcome to bring additional objects and figures, or their own devices, from home.

Jordan Stine, SPL’s teen librarian, aims to create programs that encourage teens to express their creativity.

“Teens have such a gift for art and can create great ideas out of nothing,” Stine said. “Having them use simple objects such as Legos, pipe cleaners and anything they can find encourages them to be resourceful, and reminds them that they can make amazing things out of mundane items.”  

Following the Tuesday film creation event, SPL will host a movie-watching party on Friday, March 24, from 6-8 p.m. Librarians will compile the films into one long feature for teens to watch together while munching on free snacks.

Stine encourages teens to invite family, friends and loved ones to their film premieres on Friday.

“We want to give teens an opportunity to share their hard-work and creativity with others,” Stine said. “Plus, hanging out and watching movies with snacks is a fun way to spend a Friday evening.”

The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library will provide popcorn and hot chocolate for those at the watch party.

These events is free and open to all teens, but librarians request registration to ensure there are enough materials for everyone who participates, and enough snacks for all who attend the watch party. Registration for “Teen Tech Week” can be found at library.stillwater.org/register.php. Those interested may also stop by the library or call the Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 x8106 to sign-up or to get additional information.

“Teen Tech Week” takes inspiration from other libraries and the ALA that have done similar programs. The SPL Teen Advisory Council (TAC) also offered input into the program’s creation. TAC members sign up for a year-long term to help plan teen library programs, contribute young adult materials to order and volunteer for events and projects as needed. Teens interested in applying for TAC can apply online at library.stillwater.org/tac.php.