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PAST NEWS ARCHIVE
August 1, 2001
Contact: Patricia Fraga, Austin Public Library, (512) 974-7528
Fax: (512) 974-7442

Help the Wired for Youth Center at Carver Branch Get Wired!

On Saturday, August 11, from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Carver Branch of the Austin Public Library, located in East Austin at 1161 Angelina Street, the Michael and Susan Dell Wired for Youth Center (WFY) will be holding a Patio Sale to help the Center raise funds to buy much-needed supplies for the WFY Center. The sale is sponsored by the Friends of the Austin Public Library—a support group for the Library. The money raised will go towards the purchase of headphones, diskettes and other miscellaneous supplies for the kids who use the Center. The idea and concept of the sale was the brainchild of the youth advisory committee, who are users of the Carver Center and advise the WFY Librarian on programs and activities. The kids saw a need for supplies to help better utilize the computers and the technology, and asked the WFY librarian, Michele Gorman, to buy headphones and other items for the Center. Due to budget constraints she told the youths there was no money right now to buy these items. The kids asked if they could sell something to raise money. The Patio Sale came to life with the kids making craft items such as bookmarks, key chains, and beaded jewelry. The youths have been working on this project for over a month and hope to sell these crafts to buy some of these technology items. "The kids are learning skills that help them develop teamwork and leadership abilities, and this sale gives them the opportunity for creativity and self-expression," said Ms. Gorman. For more information about the sale call (512) 477-8679.

About the Wired for Youth Centers
Through the Austin Public Library Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Wired for Youth Centers were created by a grant from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and are staffed by professional youth librarians. The librarians have a high level of expertise in technology and teaching various types of computer skills from Web page development to how to use office applications. Wired for Youth (WFY) was designed to help bridge the "digital divide" for youth who are least likely to have access to personal computers and technology. "Children living in the information age will be disadvantaged without easy access to information-age tools for learning. The Internet, like our libraries, opens the door to new worlds and new opportunities for our children," said Susan Dell.

The Centers offer teens and pre-teens the opportunity to expand their knowledge of computers and the World Wide Web through classes and individual instruction. Each Center has multimedia workstations equipped with Microsoft Office 2000, Web development tools, graphics programs and animation software. The full-time Wired for Youth Librarian is responsible for creating innovative programming distinctive to each center. Other locations with WFY Centers are Southeast Austin Community Branch, Oak Springs Branch, Manchaca Road Branch, University Hills Branch, and Windsor Park Branch.

For additional information about the WFY centers or about the Austin Public Library, visit http://www.cityofaustin.org/library/ or call (512) 974-7405.

About the Friends of the APL
The Friends of the Austin Public Library, a nonprofit organization founded in 1962 to promote the Austin Public Library, encourages all citizens to use the many and varied services offered by the Library.

The Friends of APL provides funds to enhance Library programs, publicize specific Library activities, support legislation to strengthen libraries, promote reading and literacy, and sponsors the annual Friends' Book Sale.

Members of the Friends are invited to participate in a summer reading program for adults, to gather for special social events, and to attend the Friends' annual spring meeting, which features a well-known guest speaker. Members may also choose to volunteer for various Friends' activities or participate in a general volunteer program offered through the Library. For questions or more information, call (512) 974-7449.

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