to create “YouMedia”, a new interactive learning environment for young adults at the Harold Washington Library’s main branch at State and Congress.

The goal of YouMedia is to provide a dynamic destination for Chicago students to employ specific media resources - books, computers, video, sound room – to create digital artifacts like music, documentaries, poetry, fashion, graphic design, fan fiction and anime. The creative output is then presented live or digitally shared with peers and the students’ extended community. Chicago’s YouMedia is being studied as a potential model for other U.S. cities.

The 5,500 sq. ft. space has immersive areas defined by the students as “hanging out”, “messing around” and “geeking out” allow participants to progressively become involved in a project centered on a book theme selected by the library as a unifying “thread”.

Chicago Scenic built a custom, nearly nine-foot-tall tree that houses electronic picture frames which showcase student projects. The tree also serves as a community “whiteboard” for students to post messages, share their work and stay connected with one another.