Teens and Tweens Go Green: Art-based and Eco-friendly Programs for Libraries
An Infopeople Online Learning Course
Dates: Tuesday, January 29, to Monday, February 25, 2013
Fee: $75 for those in the California library community and Infopeople Partners, $150 for all others (about payment)
Instructor: Valerie Colston
Teens and pre-teens are green—they appreciate and celebrate the environment. You can support their interests by involving them in hands-on programming with eco-friendly and environmentally responsible themes.
This course will bring the fun back into your programming. You will be able to:
- Rethink "art" and look at everyday objects in new ways
- Discover methods and materials for reusing, recycling, and repurposing
- Demonstrate and teach art skills
- Plan programs and events that combine concern for the environment with other teen and pre-teen interests
No art background is needed. If you want to stretch your creativity and skills, this course is for you. You will gain practical advice and low-cost ideas for projects, programs, and events targeted to teens and pre-teens. By the end of the course you will have a portfolio of ideas for eco-friendly and environmentally-focused projects, programs, and events that teens and pre-teens in your library will enjoy and learn from.
Course Description: In this four-week online course you will find resources, best practices, and useful tips and techniques that can be applied immediately to library programming for teens and pre-teens. You will be encouraged to develop and share photos of hands-on projects with nature or environmental themes, as well as plans for programs and events that are art-based and eco-friendly. No previous art background or experience is required; this course is for all art ability levels. During the fourth week, there will be an online meeting for demonstrating and discussing specific projects and programs. The instructor has years of experience in developing and teaching library art programs and will help you develop a portfolio of ideas and projects for future program planning.
Preliminary Course Outline: Using an Internet connection and web browser, you will log in to the Infopeople online learning site and complete the following learning modules:
- Week 1: What You Need to Go Green
- Teen and pre-teen interests in the environment
- Rethinking what art is—how to look at everyday objects in new ways
- Taking an inventory of supplies
- How to expand supplies with budget-friendly reusable or recycled materials
- Community sources for supplies
- Week 2: Green Projects
- Teaching art skills to teens and pre-teens
- Ideas for hands-on projects that are art-based and eco-friendly
- Not for girls only—projects that appeal to boys
- Art the natural way
- Week 3: Green Programs and Events
- How to create eco-friendly programs and events
- Looking at programs through "green lenses"
- Exploring community partnership possibilities
- Holiday celebrations, fashion shows, and other fun events that recycle, reuse, and repurpose
- Incorporating music, food, and technology
- Week 4: Planning for a Green Future
- Art-based and eco-friendly displays
- How to make the most of your budget
- Collecting and organizing supplies
- Funding sources
- Generating ideas
- Keeping it organized with a portfolio
Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2½ hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains readings, resources, and various options for assignments and discussions. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.
Who Should Take This Course: Any public library staff responsible for developing programs for teens and tweens, as well as teachers and staff working in school libraries. These approaches to art-based and eco-friendly programming are also applicable to adult programming efforts.
Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.
Payment: Your invoice will be emailed to the email address of the person who completed the registration. If that is not the person paying the invoice please forward invoice to the appropriate person. Payment is due within 30 days. If you have any questions about your invoice or payment please contact Gini Ambrosino at assist@infopeople.org.
Course Start: This online learning course starts on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.
After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.
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