What is this project about?
In a small town in rural Ontario, the ability to have technology available to those in need is paramount. The public library is the main community hub where anyone can go to access the internet, use Public Access Computers (PACs), and maybe borrow devices for home-use.
As a result of the recent pandemic, we had to reduce our number of PAC stations from eight to four, and the computers we put away, as well as the ones still in use, are old and dated. We would like to increase our ability to have PACs available to patrons back to former eight stations, as well as replace the four currently in use.
Our circulation computer is also old and needs replacing, and it could be included in this project.
We have a children's computer that can no longer be updated, and we would love to have a new, more interactive station where children can play and learn. This could be a new children's computer, or something like an interactive touch-table, that more than one child can use at once, making it a cooperative and shared educational activity.
We also have a new Makerspace that has many devices (projector, camera and audio equipment, sewing machine, Cricut, and Button Maker) and we would love to add more technological equipment, such as a 3D printer or robotics kits to our space. We have a significant number of children who are home-schooled and who use the library, and this could enhance the education they are already receiving at home.
Why is this project important to the community?
This project is important to our community because the digital divide is very apparent in rural areas. Some people are not able to have internet at their homes; even if it was affordable - it is often simply unavailable, or insufficient. At the library, we have free Wi-Fi for anyone to use. Many people also do not have their own devices, making the library the perfect, and really the only, place to come for their internet needs.
We have two elementary schools in our town, and the students often come to the library to work on projects and homework. We would also like to be able to lend devices, such as iPads, to those students who may need one at home for a limited time.
The children's computer is an Early Literacy Station, helping to bring awareness of the digital world to children in a safe, welcoming, and community-minded environment.
The library here is a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment where many people say they feel at home. The atmosphere here is calming and very conducive to experiential learning and educational play.
We are a vibrant community space, open six days a week, and we have evening hours three nights a week. This provides our town with the necessary space, we now just need the necessary technology!
