“Beyond Books”: 3-D Doodling Pens, 3-D Scanner and 3-D Printers
Hubbard library “Makerspace” features
3D-printing, virtual reality
A
new “Makerspace” technology room at the Hubbard Public Library is the
embodiment of library’s tag-line, “Beyond Books.”
The
library has acquired 3-D doodling pens, a 3-D scanner and two 3-D printers. The
printers generate objects using layers of biodegradable plastic in various
colors. Makerspace also features technology that will allow users to explore
robotics, computer programming and networking.
“Our
mission really is providing free and easy access to information,” said Lorena
Williams, Hubbard library director. “[It’s] inviting people in to explore and
create and learn. This is the wave of the future. It’s where libraries and
technology meet.”
The
library plans to host field trips for local students. The technology is a natural
tie-in for a variety of educational disciplines, including computer
programming, science and art. Makerspace, for example, includes an augmented
reality sandbox that could be useful for students studying geography. As
someone readjusts piles of sand, a sensor is able to register the changing
terrain and communicate with a projector displaying a topography map.
Much
of the Makerspace technology is portable, which means it could be loaned to
schools or other organizations.
For
example, Hubbard has loaned its Oculus Rift – a virtual reality headset that
can be hooked up to a laptop or gaming device – to the Cleveland Public
Library.
The
Hubbard Police Department has expressed interest in using the library’s virtual
reality systems to train officers, and local crafters are excited to use the
3-D printers for art projects.
The
capabilities of Makerspace are limited only by imagination, said Chris
Wisniewski, a technology administrator for the library.
“That’s
the point,” Wisniewski said. “It’s: Here’s stuff, make something.”
A
robotics section allows participants to explore building with K’Nex and Lego
Mindstorm.
For
programming projects, the library provides access to the operating system Linux
and several Raspberry Pi devices. Rasberry Pi comprises a series of small
computers that can be plugged into television screens and keyboards. The single-board
Raspberry Pi computer is about the size of a credit card and is ideal for
demonstrating the fundamentals of computer science.
Going
forward, the library will host orientation sessions to teach community members
how to use Makerspace. People who attend the orientation will then have the
opportunity to reserve the space via the library website:
http://www.beyond-books.org/. Interested parties can also call the library at
330-534-3512.
Makerspace,
Williams said, will teach skills necessary for the modern workspace. She said
it will be accessible to all ages, even if older individuals initially are
hesitant to use it.
“The
younger ones, they have no fear,” she said. “Whereas, us adults are thinking,
‘Are we going to break it? What’s it going to do? Maybe I’m afraid I’m going to
look stupid.’ The kids are just excited.”
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan
& Co
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