Chicago's new "YOUmedia"

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6702816.html?nid=3270

I found this on bloglines and I am totally geeking out over it. Basically, the public library in Chicago has a space – over 5500 square feet, actually ­­­– for teens. It has thousands of books, more than 100 laptop and desktop computers, and even a recording studio for music and the spoken word. On the computers, they can do typical internet stuff like social networking sites and gaming, but they can also do digital photography, fan fiction, graphic design, digital video and music production, and game design. These kids are going to be exposed to so many technologies that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise because either they cannot afford it and/or their schools cannot afford it. What is really cool is that the library is encouraging Chicago high school teachers to reserve the space during the school day so that their students can go through some skill building workshops during the school day. Doing this will take a lot of the financial burden of these technologies off of the school system while also promoting the use of the public library at the same time. I expect that if teachers and school media specialists help promote this space at the public library, they will begin to see students who have greater literacy and digital literacy skills. What an awesome idea and a great way to get teens into the library!