Schaumburg Library received Project Next Generation grant from State Library for second year in a row
Schaumburg Township District Library is set to continue its successful Tech Bytes program for tweens and teens this fall, thanks to funding from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White's Project Next Generation grant.
Schaumburg Library was one of 28 public libraries in the state of Illinois to win grant funding through Project Next Generation. The Illinois State Library used Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to award more than $559,000 in Project Next Generation grants to the various libraries. Schaumburg Library is excited to receive $28,640 of these funds to support its Tech Bytes program.
Tech Bytes is a technology-based after school program for middle school students. Local teens from area high schools and community colleges will facilitate the program, creating dynamic interactions and meaningful impact with the younger teens. The older teens will also serve as mentors, showing the middle school students an achievable model for success in our community.
"Tech Bytes has made a huge impact in advancing the technological skills of younger students," said Rayaan Siddiqi, a senior at Conant High School, who served as a Tech Bytes mentor last year.
"Growing up now, you should be well-versed and equipped with strong computer skills and I feel like we have been striving to accomplish that mission through Tech Bytes."
Siddiqi noted that having older teens mentor tweens and younger teens makes the communication smoother and more relatable. "Students are able to see an example of a teen who is explaining computer science topics at a young age, and this acts as motivation for them to learn more and more."
Additionally, this year, the Project Next Generation funds will support the Library's teen hackathon event and other programs that will help teens use technology for creative projects. The Library has hosted successful teen hackathon events over the last two summers, bringing teens together for coding workshop and to build projects that were judged by local industry experts.
Watch for details about upcoming Tech Bytes programs on the Schaumburg Library website at SchaumburgLibrary.org/events.
Schaumburg Township District Library is committed to providing relevant information, books, media, technology and programs for all ages in a safe and friendly environment through the service of well-trained staff.