Visitors to local branches of the Wellington County Library system may now be as likely to learn about robotics as they are to find a good book.
Jessica Veldman, information services librarian, and Neil Arsenault, Puslinch branch supervisor, were at Puslinch council on Nov. 4 updating local councillors on new technology being offered at the Wellington County Library.
The presentation was interrupted a few times by sounds emitting from the robots themselves.
“We are fortunate to be able to provide these technologies to our patrons,” Veldman said, adding there is a movement across public libraries in North America to incorporate technology and digital literacy.
“We are not first on the bandwagon with this, but we are trying to stay relevant and do as much as we can to keep up with new and emerging technologies as they become available.”
The intent is to attract new patrons to the library and provide a new way to engage with existing patrons.
Veldman noted quite a few of the technologies were available at the time of the reopening of the Fergus library, “But since then, these technologies have travelled to most of the other branches as well.”
Some of the equipment now being used includes 3D printers and Cubelets and Ozobots which can teach young people programming skills.
While the 3D printers can be used by the public, users are asked to undertake a one-hour certification, Veldman said.
The Cubelets, Veldman, explained, are organized in different configurations with each cube providing different functions.
“Depending on how you configure these, it will change the type of robot you are making. It teaches basic robotics.”
She noted the Mount Forest branch had the robots at the circulation desk for about a month and there was considerable interest.
“Eventually we will be loaning these out,” Veldman added.
The Ozobots follow and interpret lines of various colours to perform functions such as spinning around, speeding up, stopping or changing directions.
“It is providing that basic introduction to children to programming and coding which can be applied to other skills later on,” said Veldman.
Maker kits include some items for use within the library while others can be loaned out.
Also offered is the Dash robot, which can be operated by an iPad that can provide simple programming.
The BB-8 is an app-enabled Droid which adapts to the way it is used. The robot will tie into Star Wars programming being offered later in the year, Veldman said.
Arsenault noted Puslinch was the site of one of several technology camps across the county. Originally he thought one camp per day would be enough, but demand was high enough to expand it to two camps per day.
“The interest level in Puslinch for the robotics and technology is huge. It’s with the children and the adults too. There is no one demographic interested in this,” he added.
Councillor Wayne Stokley described himself as an avid user of the library and said he could see how this will draw more people into the library.
Amazon recently opening a physical book store “shows the printed word is not leaving like most people thought,” Stokley said.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer noted some high school projects must make use of materials such as robotic kits not available within the schools.
“Not everyone has access to this type of technology and it is great we can offer this through the libraries,” said Bulmer.
Veldman said, “We are really relying on our patrons becoming involved in self-directed learning. We’re providing the starting point to hopefully engage them to start the learning process on their own.”
Councillor Susan Fielding was impressed with the presentation.
“Seven or eight years ago, I might have been one of those people asking whether municipalities should be spending a lot of money on libraries,” she said. “It is wonderful how libraries have morphed themselves and stayed ahead of the technology and not become obsolete.”
