For kids in grades 5 & up
In August, as part of the Summer Reading Program, kids were taught to use graphic tablets and Photoshop to create their own digital art.

In September, two more workshops will be taking place, taught by Peter Simeti of Painted Heroes. Classes will be taking place on September 9 from 3-5 pm, and September 11 from 2-4 pm, and are for kids in grades 5 and up. Sign up for either session here.

In addition to these workshops, young adults can check out the graphic tablets for two hours at a time with their library cards for use at any of the computers in the Youth Room. All computers on the lower level are equipped with Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements, and can be used with the tablets to edit photos, create movies, or paint and draw.

Last Spring, Wakefield teens participated in a video game creation program using the Scratch game creation language. Their games are now available on the Young Adults section of Beebe Library’s website, and are free to play.

EqualAccess Grant helps library serve middle school kids
Over the summer, the library conducted a number of focus groups to determine how the library can best serve middle school students over the coming year. With the help of an EqualAccess grant through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the library solicited input not only from the community, but also from a number of young adults (teens) who have agreed to serve on the Young Adult Advisory Board. This board is responsible for advising library staff about library activities for teens. And they’ve been very hard at work since October.
Continue »