Norfolk, VA, (February 26, 2010) – Local teens will be hanging out at Norfolk Public Library during Teen Tech Week, March 7 - 13, 2010. The Library is hosting the 2nd Annual Super Smash Bros.ฎ Brawl for Wii Gaming Tournament.

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries.

Library Youth Associate Jennifer Gibson developed the idea of a gaming tournament as a way to attract teens to the library. Recent Studies show that, on average, 8-18 year olds spend more than 6 hours per day using technology including TV, DVDs, video games, audio media and computers (Pew Internet & American Life Project).

“Last year’s tournament was such a success with over 150 teens participating across Norfolk that we decided to make it a tradition. Each library now owns a Wii gaming system and regularly holds video game programs. The teen’s excitement is overwhelmingly positive and encouraging,” says Gibson.

Norfolk Public Library invites teens to visit their NPL location during Teen Tech Week to compete in a Super Smash Bros.ฎ Brawl for Wii pre-game tournament. The Top three winners from each branch will advance to the Teen Gaming Championship on March 13th at the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. The grand prize winner will receive a Kodak EasyShare C140 Digital Camera! Many will enter, one will win!

Pre-registration is recommended. For more information, contact Jennifer Gibson at 441-5335, or via email: jennifer.gibson@norfolk.gov.

Check out battle dates and locations below:

Larchmont Branch ~ 441-5335
Monday, March 8 @ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Little Creek Branch ~ 441-1751
Monday, March 8 @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch ~ 441-1750
Tuesday, March 9 @ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Lafayette Branch ~ 441-2842
Tuesday, March 9 @ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Van Wyck Branch ~ 441-2844
Wednesday, March 10 @ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Norfolk Main Library ~ 664-7323
Wednesday, March 10 @ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Barron F. Black Branch ~ 441-5806
Wednesday, March 10 @ 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Janaf Branch ~ 441-5660
Thursday, March 11 @ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Park Place Branch ~ 664-7330
Thursday, March 11 @ 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Horace C. Downing Branch ~ 441-1968
Friday, March 12 @ 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Jordan-Newby Branch ~ 441-2843
Friday, March 12 @ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Blyden Branch ~ 441-2852
Friday, March 12 @ 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Teen Gaming Championship
Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch ~ 441-1750
Saturday, March 13 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Library programs are always free and open to the public.