How can you be sure you're doing everything to ensure that Teen Tech Week™ is an awesome experience for all involved? The folks at YALSA recently shared ten tips that can help make DIY @ your library run smoothly. 1. Keep it simple; over-organizing and too much supervision takes the fun out of programming for teens. 2. Make sure your collection of YA material is fresh and attractive. No one gets excited about a dog-eared book with coffee stains on it. 3. Consider that every teen comes to the program seeking a personal experience; use guidelines rather than rules. 4. Let teens make choices. Allow for wiggle room in the assigned activities to keep the programming flexible. 5. Even though Teen Tech Week is a special event, make sure to incorporate it with existing library activities. 6. Get graphic! Make sure there is no way that local teens can miss the marketing for Teen Tech Week. Use posters and the many resources available from the ALA store to help publicize the event. 7. Don't overlook promoting your events with schools, recreation centers, teachers, etc.. remind them often of the dates and activities scheduled for Teen Tech Week. 8. There is no such thing as too much publicity. Take advantage of social media and the local press to keep Teen Tech Week "top of mind" for teens and their adults. YALSA has a great publicity toolkit that will give you a running start. 9. Everyone loves prizes! It doesn't have to be big, but you need something to get them in the door, and keep them there. 10. Location, location, location... The children's room with tiny chairs and stuffed animals is NOT the place to host your Teen Tech Week programming. If you don't have a teen area, consider using a well-marked meeting room, or maybe even take it outside the library to teen hang-outs—cafes, community centers, or the mall. For more great information (and encouragement) visit the official Teen Tech Week ning.