Did you hear about the wolf spider so big that it took several shots to kill it?  Did you know that Mr. Rogers was a Marine Sniper in Vietnam or that you can prevent Facebook from using your posts by including a simple copyright notification?  What about Manti Te'o’s internet "girlfriend?"

Everything you just read was a lie. How many of you have actually been taken in by one of these hoaxes?  (I'll admit to believing that Mr. Rogers was a sniper.)  Often it's one of your friends sharing it through Facebook or Twitter.  Other times you hear about it on the local news.  How do you know when something is legit?  Is there any way to tell? 

We think so.  That’s why the San José public library is offering the "News Know How" program this summer at the new Educational Park Branch.  We're bringing in real reporters to show you how to separate fact from opinion and hoax from reality.  For two weeks you’ll work with Reporters, Librarians, and your fellow teens to create your own project (check out last year's projects).  Now you may be asking yourself.  Why should I spend two precious weeks of my summer actually learning?  Well, not only will your project be presented online for you to show off, you'll also receive a stipend (read money) for going through the program. 

The program will run for approximately five hours a day Monday through Friday from June 17 to June 28, 2013. Once you've applied you will be contacted in order to schedule an interview. Interviews will begin May 1, 2013 and continue until all the spots are filled. Please contact Erik Berman (Erik.Berman@sjlibrary.org) if you have any questions.

Applications are now live.  Click here to be taken to the registration page.    Once you've completed the application, you will recieve an email with additional information.

Who do you trust for your daily news? CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, The Drug Report, Reuters, the Huffington Post? We have so much news coming in so fast and so frequently that it can feel like you can never catch up with the latest Supreme Court decision or celebrity gaffe.  (I just checked my smart phone and two new articles have been released on my favorite news app.)  Knowing who to believe and how to evaluate the credibility of a given article is becoming more important than ever thanks to the influx of news sources and corporate news agencies, be it independent blogs or even the posts from your local library (which of course are impeccably credible).   

That's why the San José Public Library, with the help of American Library Association and the Open Society Foundations, is offering the News Know How media literacy program this June at the newly opening library, Educational Park.  The Library will be recruiting 15 students to participate in a special two week crash course in media literacy.  Students will learn how to critically evaluate the news they see every day.  They will spot misinformation and propaganda; they will check sources and distinguish between a reporter's fact and opinions.  In the end, as teams, they will produce their own report, sharing what they learned with the rest of the world.

The program will run for aproximately five hours a day June 17 - 28, 2013 at the Educational Park Branch of the San José Public Library.  Participants must commit to the full two weeks and to completing the final project.  In return they will receive a stipend.

Any teen interested in the program should follow this link to register.    Applicants will recieve an email with instructions concerning the next step.

 Rock the Library! Enter San José Public Library’s “Battle of the Bands”

Celebrate Teen Tech Week 2011,"Mix & Mash @ your library"

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Are you a teen (age 12 – 18) that performs with your own band? Ready to move out of the garage and onto a wider stage? Enter San José Public Library’s online “Battle of the Bands,” in celebration of Teen Tech Week 2011 (March 6-12).

“Wait,” you say. “Online? How do I do that?” It’s simple. Have your parents or a friend grab that camcorder and record your best performance. Post the video online (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Pure Volume, etc.). Submit your entry by sending an email to sjplbattleofthebands@gmail.com that contains a link to your music online. Be sure to include the following information:

• The name of the band/performer, and names and ages of all members
• A brief description of the band, to be used on the contest webpage
• A name, phone number, and email where the contestants can be reached

Submit entry by February 19.  (Please note: No personal information will be posted online.)

This contest is open to all musical genres, but no obscene or offensive lyrics are allowed. Inappropriate lyrics or behavior will result in disqualification. Participants may enter together as a group, or as a solo performer. Solo performers must play an accompanying instrument. No karaoke permitted. Those interested in singing are encouraged to watch for announcements of May’s “San José Teen Talent” competition.

Contestants who do not yet have music online may participate in one of the three recording sessions taking place in February. Performers may bring their gear and perform a song, which will be recorded by library staff and then uploaded, online, as a video. Recording sessions are scheduled at the following San José locations:

• Sat. Feb. 5, 4 p.m. - West Valley Branch Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., (408) 244-4747
• Tues. Feb. 8, 3 p.m.- Santa Teresa Branch Library, 290 International Circle, (408) 808-3068
• Sat. Feb. 12. 2 p.m. - Rose Garden Branch Library, 1580 Naglee Ave., (408) 808-3070

What’s next? Your entry will be posted on the official “SJPL Battle of the Bands” site www.sjpl.org/battleofthebands. Music lovers will be invited to visit the page between February 23 and March 5 to listen in and cast their votes for their favorites. The top five finalists who receive the most online votes will be announced March 8.

The top five finalists from the online voting contest must be available to play the live final concert on Saturday, March 19 at the Almaden Branch Library (6445 Camden Ave, San Jose). Each band will have up to 20 minutes to perform their set.  A panel of judges will evaluate the performers on their musical ability and stage presence. The decision of the judges will be final.

First, second and third place winners will receive the following prizes:

• First Place: $250
• Second Place: $150
• Third Place: $50

For more information, including full contest rules, stop by your neighborhood branch of the San José Public Library, or go online to www.sjpl.org/battleofthebands.

For additional Teen Tech Week activities, such as video game days, contests, and crafts, go online to www.sjpl.org/teens.

About Teen Tech Week

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries such as DVDs, databases, audio books, and videogames. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries' non-print resources for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology.

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