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We are in Pistoia.
In this space, where a train factory once stood,
today hundreds of young people
-and people of all age-
get together to study, read, use new technologies,
and take advantage of the many different opportunities available for them.
This is the San Giorgio Library.
And the San Giorgio Library was chosen
to host a new space for innovation:
to host a new space for innovation:
YouLab Pistoia.
We think that this incredible opportunity will give a chance
to many young people in Pistoia to overcome the digital divide
to many young people in Pistoia to overcome the digital divide
and will give them the ability to become not only consumer
and users of new technologies
and users of new technologies
but -mostly important- protagonists.
but -mostly important- protagonists.
I believe YouLab is a very innovative idea,
I believe YouLab is a very innovative idea,
as it contributes to establish a positive relationship among partners
as it contributes to establish a positive relationship among partners
and mentors who transfer their knowledge both to the library management
and to participants in workshops.
At the same time the library, by doing this,
finds a new sense and identity...
My name is Filippo Gruni. I belong to the group of mentors
of the YouLab Pistoia-An American Corner project.
My experience is in website design. Thus, I taught a course we named "Let's Web".
This was a basic course,
which dealt with html and css, but it did allow
young people with little or no specific knowledge of web programming
young people with little or no specific knowledge of web programming
to start approaching web creation.
This was a very interesting course. We discussed web design
This was a very interesting course. We discussed web design
and now we are creating a website for YouLab. We did a good job,
and it was a very nice group.
Again, I found it very interesting. It was a form of same-level teaching:
from young people to young people.
This is where you find out each other's passions. It's so nice to see
eyes lighting up when seeing pieces of equipment
people had always dreamt using, but never had the money to buy;
or maybe they never had the skills needed to use and achieve something with this equipment.
I must confess I arrived here with
very little knowledge of videos, so everything was new.
And it was so interesting, and I've learned so many things. We started with interviews,
then this video clip... and we had many other ideas, so it would be nice
if we could continue. The group we created became so close-knit together.
The first project we wish to propose to these young people is the creation of a robot.
I mean young people would project one and build one all by themselves, including imagining its shape, dimensions and design.
I mean young people would project one and build one all by themselves, including imagining its shape, dimensions and design.
The idea would be to be able of create its shell, its dress,
through the 3-d printer.
YouLab is all built around new technology,
YouLab is all built around new technology,
so it was obvious that it would include a social media component.
so it was obvious that it would include a social media component.
And we turned to social media to select
the winner of a contest to design logo for YouLab.
Many sent in their graphic ideas,
we selected some and then people used Facebook to vote the winner.
The winning design became our logo,
the YouLab logo.
YouLab is on Facebook and Twitter,
YouLab is on Facebook and Twitter,
YouLab is on Facebook and Twitter,
and right now we are considering using Foursquare
and right now we are considering using Foursquare
to play a little bit with users about their presence
at YouLab Pistoia.
Social media tools help YouLab
Social media tools help YouLab
Social media tools help YouLab
by making people on the web participate in what is happening here.
There's an emotional component: with social media we can share in real time
There's an emotional component: with social media we can share in real time
and those who are not physically at the library can still see it
and immediately comment, and tell us what they think.
... YouLab is a space open to young people
YouLab is a space open to young people
to implement their knowledge in the field of digital technology.
The opportunity to imagine: this is what I think it's the key.
It's a chance to use technology to build our own future.
Here at the San Giorgio Library we are all very proud
of being part of this project.
YouLab is a sign of great hope for the city of Pistoia.