Teen Video Competition

The Why I Need My Library Video Contest is an initiative of 2010-2011 American Library Association President Roberta Stevens to engage teenagers as library advocates. Why I Need My Library, which runs through April 18, encourages teens ages 13 to 18 to create original videos on why they think libraries are needed now more than ever.  Teens will submit one- to three minute videos on YouTube. The videos can be live-action, animation, machinima, or use a combination of techniques. Teens can work in groups of up to six. See full contest guidelines and information for more specifics.

Prizes will be awarded in two age categories – ages 13 to 15 and 16 to 18 – to a school or local public library selected by the winners. . The winning contestant or group of contestants from each age category will receive $3,000 for their selected library. Two second place finalists will receive $2,000 each for their selected library, and three third place finalists will receive $1,000 each for their selected library.

In addition, each member of the winning group will receive a $50 gift card to an online bookseller.

Winning videos will be showcased on American Library Association websites and at the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans June 23-28. The American Association of School Librarians, the Public Library Association and the Young Adult Library Services Association, all divisions of ALA, are co-sponsors of the Why I Need My Library contest.Questions about the contest can be directed to whyineedmylibrary@ala.org.

CSLP is taking a new approach to involve all teens in summer reading at public libraries.

Teens across the country will be invited to create a 30 second to 3 minute video using the 2011 teen slogan “You are Here” in combination with reading and libraries. The idea is to involve teens in summer reading, before and during the summer months, by being part of the process and have a chance to be creative and have their ideas heard.

A public library program:

Each teen video will be associated with a local public library (where no local library exists the association can be with the regional or state public library agency). This is a perfect opportunity to start a teen video group in a local public library and/or for the public library to promote the video competition to school, teen centers, and individual teens with an interest in creating videos.