Does one size fit all?

One of the many topics that I'm currently pondering is our youth technology lab. We have a wonderful technology lab featuring 12 PCs at our library that provides basic Internet access and educational based games for youth. The lab currently serves kids from the earliest computer users (2-3 years) up to the pre-teen years.

I've sat in the lab a few times in the last couple of months and watched the pre-teens navigate myspace, the slightly younger care for their webkinz and the really young play the Bob the Builder games with parents at their side.

The question that I'm pondering is whether or not we should spin off a set of computers for the pre-readers (2-5), and convert the existing space into a lab for school age kids potentially with a combination homework help center. We are planning hardware upgrades late next summer, so I have several months to let this simmer...

Rocking Animals

Punk Farm is a picture book that was published a few years ago about rocking farm animals. There is a new follow-up title called Punk Farm On Tour. With the publication of the On Tour title, the authors have launched Punk Farm Space. The audience for the titles is 4-8, too young for my space.

So what is a hip author to do? Create a simulated my space. The site is actually quite funny and extensive --- providing songs, bio info on the characters. The site looks like a my space site, but is closed off to only the characters in the book. Cute for target audience.

Worth Repeating

In 2003, Maricopa County Public Library in Arizona under the leadership of library web guru Paula Wilson launched "The Mystery Club of Luna Drive" serial. Each month another chapter of the book for middle readers was released, until the book was completed in 2005. The library utilized grant moneys to hire author James M. Deem to write the book, and the site featured character bookmarks and biographies.

The site won several awards, and proved to be popular with the target audience.

So, my question to youth web librarians is ... why has no one repeated this model? Sure, it takes some coordination and planning, but come on... the concept is brilliant and mixed with the capabilities of web 2.0 technologies, just imagine the possibilities. The 2008 version of this would be phenomenal, a healthy dose of literacy combined with the power of a web community to get the kids hooked on your library site.

If you are looking for an enticing new feature for your youth site, start recruiting a local author and go for it!