Born DigitaleBook Publishing with Teens

Hello There● Amy Holcomb

Youth Technology LibrarianNorthbrook (IL) Public Library

● aholcomb@northbrook.info

Programming Goal● To facilitate a creative learning experience

for kids, tweens, and teens by modernizing a traditional library program

● Incorporate components of:○ Maker trend○ Book industry○ Variety of media formats○ Socialization○ Recognition

Apprentices of the Book Empire● Fall 2012 for 2nd-6th graders● Author/Illustrator pairs● Library as publisher● Weekly workshops with take-home tasks● Physical book in library collection

Born Digital● Tween/Teen extension of previous

publishing program● Focus on publishing process, copyright, and

self-promotion, not writing● Encourage creative freedom, flexibility● Include original media works

○ Photographs○ Drawings○ Videos○ Songs

● Showcase completed works

Program Overview● 7 weeks

○ Mandatory 1st meeting○ Weekly optional open labs○ Deadline at end of 7 weeks

● Provide workspace and tech tools● Guide in process of publication● Outline catalog records● Showcase success

○ Website, social networks○ In-house signage○ Publish in multiple places

Resources● Pages● iBooks Author and iTunes Producer● Scribd● Leanpub

Scribd

Leanpub

Key Communication● Early communication with Technical

Services● Records included:

○ Unique call number○ 2 subject headings○ Item cat as short stories○ Link to downloadable file○ Short description

Showcase Success

Showcase Success

Where We Went Wrong● Issue with ePub files

○ Relied on Scribd for catalog records● Minimal structure led to dropouts● Issue with iBooks Author accounts

○ Required Apple ID linked to credit card○ Used librarians' accounts○ Hindered author control

● Failed to encourage multidimensional eBook○ Participants did not experiment with media types○ Stuck to text only

For Next Time● Open program up to all ages● Weekly structured workshops

○ Give story to experiment with○ Open up ideas for individual works

● Work with schools to promote program● Encourage media formats

○ Expand novel form concept○ Ex: Picture books with song

● Allow collaboration○ Author/illustrator/composer/videographer teams

Thank you!Please email with questions.aholcomb@northbrook.info