YOUmedia Miami

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Miami-Dade Public Library System’s YOUmedia Miami is a digital media learning center for teens. Inaugurated January 2012 and made possible by a John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant, YOUmedia Miami provides teens, ages 14-19 years, the opportunity to become proficient users of technology in order to communicate in creative ways and to explore opportunities that may not otherwise be open to them. What is special about YOUmedia Miami is its strong focus on civic engagement within the learning process. Staff is responsible not only for training teens on the equipment that gives them an outlet for self-expression, but also for helping to channel their curiosity in ways that prompt them to want to learn more about the world in which they live. YOUmedia Miami builds on the role of the public library as a place of exploration where teens “hang out, mess around, and geek out.” YOUmedia Miami is a pivotal community resource for 429 teens who have embraced the opportunity to become more marketable in a community known for having challenging social conditions. YOUmedia Miami is about helping teens to acquire the technical training along with the creativity and critical thinking skills they need to succeed.