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