Teen Tech Week is March 10-16, 2013.  This year's theme is Check In @ Your Library.  What does that mean? Well, the official description provided by YALSA states "This year's theme encourages libraries to throw open their physical and virtual doors to teens and showcase the outstanding technology they offer."  I've interpreted that to mean "Make sure you blog about the Hoover Public Library app, Overdrive, the Alabama Virtual Library, LearningExpress Library, Mango Languages, and Homework Alabama.  Throw in the YALSA app and the YALSA app of the week for good measure."  So here I go!

Hoover Public Library App
Search and hold items.  See upcoming events.  Renew items.  It's library access at your fingertips.  Click here to download your app now!

Overdrive
Download ebooks and audiobooks for free on JCLC's Overdrive.

Alabama Virtual Library
The AVL is a group of online databases provided by the State of Alabama.  It gives you free, easy access to magazine, journal, and newspaper articles for research.  There are even databases geared specifically for middle and high school students.

LearningExpress Library
This is available for Hoover library card holders.  Learning Express gives you free access to practice tests, exercises, and skill-building courses for middle and high school-level academics.  There are also courses to prepare for standardized tests, such as the ACT and the SAT.

Mango Languages
This is available for Hoover library card holders.  Mango Languages is an online language-learning system that teaches practical conversation skills for real communication.  There are 15 English as a second language courses and 45 foreign courses for English speakers.

Homework Alabama
Homework Alabama offers free live homework help from real tutors.  This service is available Sunday - Thursday, 3-10 p.m. for grades K3-12 plus college intro.  It covers math, science, social studies, and English.

YALSA App
YALSA's Teen Book Finder is a free app that helps anyone who loves teen literature access the past three years of YALSA's awards and lists.

YALSA App of the Week
The official blog of the Young Adult Library Services Association posts an App of the Week every single week.