Bookthing #11: "Alone Together"

I began reading "Alone Together" by Sherry Turkle with a bit of fear. You see the disconnection our society feels all around us, especially in our youth. The attitude of "if I don't do anything wrong, it doesn't matter if I give up my personal information", chills me. The further into this work I got, the more determined I became to be a helpful resource. My position in the elementary school library gives me a great responsibility to the children I serve. The library/media center is the perfect place for the students to learn how to use the technology that is available to them. Students need guidance in learning to use the Internet, learning it's dangers and pitfalls as well as good texting etiquette. They need to understand what privacy is and how to protect it. It would be really beneficial to the students if this training would cover social sites like "Facebook" as well. A lot of today's youth, as young as 5th and 6th grade, have their own Facebook accounts. They need to understand how these sites work and that whatever they post is very public and never goes away. As the students learn the ins and outs of these technologies it is really important to help them see that these are tools for them. Tools for research, school work and school projects. Tools for entertainment and to keep in touch with friends. The library is an unique and safe place that can help youth not only learn what community is, but also help them to create community with their peers. Book clubs, craft days/nights, study days/nights, and gaming clubs are all events that can be organized and held at libraries. These are great ways to show our youth that they and community are important to us all.