Tinkering in the Techie Toybox:Staying on Top of Consumer Technology
11/14/2008David Lee King
Digital Branch & Services ManagerTopeka & Shawnee County Public Library
What is a Techie Toybox?
What is a Techie Toybox?
aka Gadget Garage
aka Technology Petting Zoo
Topeka’s Techie Toybox
A bit of history…• Jan 2007: Friends approved $10,000• I asked staff for ideas…• Purchased in the fall
What did we buy?
http://flickr.com/photos/michaelsphotos/2232535957/
Success so far!• Our toys are getting used• We’ve been creating social media• Next steps – buy more toys
What areother librariesDoing??
Princeton PublicLibrary’s Gadget Garage
http://princetonlibrary.org/research/techcenter/gadgetgarage.html
Massachusetts Library Association
• Created a tech petting zoo• Hardware and software demos• Loaned equipment during the
conference!
http://mlamasslib.blogspot.com/2008/03/volunteers-needed-technology-petting.html
Webjunction list• http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/
index.php/2008/08/18/creating-a-technology-petting-zoo-webinar-recap/
What if we have no money $$$ ?
Start Small
http://flickr.com/photos/bidari/2969429885/
http://flickr.com/photos/monta/78744330/
Why???
Keeps staff current
Allows staff to try out new gadgets
Community leaders
Training Opportunities
http://flickr.com/photos/prupert/68375339/
New Services!
Participate!
Thank you!Thank you!
davidleeking.com