Ab. VelascoDawn Connolly

Toronto Reference Library

Make. Learn. Play. Create.

Make. Learn. Play. Create.

Learn by Doing• Maker and Hacker spaces• Digital Media Labs • Collaborative work• Peer to peer learning• Sharing: making in public• Democratization of

technology• Social activism

Why The Library?

• Free and accessible• Bridge the Digital Divide• Critical literacies• Community building & collaboration• Skills development• Self-directed learning• Collections, Programs, Services

Community, Makerspaces And Other Libraries

TRL Digital Innovation Hub

• 5 Mac workstations• 3 PC workstations• 1 Driveless PC• AV Equipment• 2 3D Printers• Tablets• Laptops• Scanners

Tech & Equipment

• Graphic design (e.g. Adobe CS)• Audio Editing (e.g. Logic Pro)• Video Editing (e.g. Final Cut Pro)

Commercial & OS/Free Software

• 3D Design (e.g. OpenSCAD)• Photo Editing (e.g. Photoshop)• Programming (e.g. Python)

Other Equipment

Choosing a 3D Printer

3D Printing Service

If you have a library card, this is your printer

Classes

Monthly MeetUps

Monthly MeetUps

Monthly MeetUps

Monthly MeetUps

Repair Cafe

March Break

Innovator in Residence

Innovator in Residence

Innovator in Residence

Innovator in Residence

Innovator in Residence

NASA Space Apps

Toronto Comic Arts Festival

Ryerson Canadian City Initiative

Mini Maker Faire

• Staff team includes Digital Design Technicians• Print and online resources also available for self- directed learning

Staff Resources

Lots of Excitement

Lots of Excitement

Lots of Excitement

What’s Next?

• Volunteer Program• Staff Internships

• More programs• Outreach opportunities

Lesson Learned

• Community partnerships and external resources are key• Classes are great investments to build self-sufficient users• Equipment will break and require maintenance and care• Budget for new equipment and software• Aspire for higher-end users by offer higher-end tools• Staff don’t need to be experts but should have attitude to learn• Dedicated production space required for AV equipment• Build in flexibility to take your service offerings outside your space• Give yourself permission to FAIL

Questions? Comments?

 We’d love to hear from you!

Dawn Connolly dconnolly@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Ab. Velasco avelasco@torontopubliclibrary.ca