Library Serving Youth with Technology

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The big news around Arlington, Texas is the success of the Texas Rangers baseball team. And, of course, sports fans in the area always have their eyes on their Dallas Cowboys.

But for the community served by the East Branch Library of the Arlington Public Library - and especially its younger members - the major story was the recent opening of the Gene and Jerry Jones Youth Technology Center, or, as it is known to its users, the Lab.

If the name sounds familiar, Jerry Jones is the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. The Lab was made possible by a grant from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation (AYF).

According to the blog of the Dallas Cowboys fan club, it is "an interactive gathering place where teens can form strong peer relationships, receive mentoring from adults, participate in competitive and creative endeavors, and build leadership skills that can lead to success later in life."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included Charlotte Jones Anderson - Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President, Cornerback Orlando Scandrick, Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, library representatives and Arlington youth.

The Lab serves teens and some tweens in the community. The library's Teen Librarian, Erin Spice,r said it is an important addition to the community, since it was built in the lower income part of town.

She said there are a lot of people there living below the poverty level. Many don't have access to a computer and, since the area is predominantly Hispanic, many are also dealing with a language barrier.

Spicer said the Lab will offer some tutoring programs, as well as some hands-on science programming.

"We are trying to support the school system with technology," she said. "We're trying to give them access. That way they have an equal playing field when they get to college."

With that in mind, she said the library has been involving groups like school robotics clubs.

"We're just trying to make stronger connections with schools in that area," she said.

The Lab is located in an existing room within the library.

It is a place for teens to learn about science, technology, engineering, and robotics. It has Lego Mindstorms, K’Nex, snap circuits, iPads, and lots of software including Alice, Sketchup, Roller Coaster Tycoon, and Sim City.

And for future architects, engineers and product designers, it also has Auto CAD.

Word is spreading among the area youths.

"They're trickling in more and more every day," Spicer said.

And teens are also getting involved in leading software classes themselves.