Bank of Canton Technology Gala set for Nov. 23

A robot that greets guests at the door and a chance to learn about making a computer are all part of the fun and games planned for the upcoming Bank of Canton Technology Gala at the Canton Public Library. The Friends of the Library invite adults ages 21 and over to “come play” with them at the fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, November 23, from 7-10 p.m. at the library.

Linda Berman joined the Friends several years ago and has served as the group’s president for the last two years. She explained that the November gala will allow the Friends to raise money for the library’s Maker Space. A ‘Maker Space’ is a designated area within a school or library that people use to create something, either with high-tech resources such as a 3D printer, or low-tech tools such as a piece of paper, a needle, and yarn.

“The technology in the Maker Space gets used up,” Berman said. “We need to refresh that and add new technology to the Maker Space. You’ve got to beef it up.”

The Friends plan to have demonstrations of the Maker Space technology throughout the library at the November 23 gala. In addition to the robot at the entrance, a second robot will move through the main floor Reading Room. Guests will find a drone high in the ceiling in the Reference Room, with a monitor set up to allow them to see all over the library.

Two Cricut machines will be set up in the Young Adult section. The machines are capable of cutting many different kinds of materials, such as paper, leather, and fabric, and can be used for scrapbooking. “It’s just remarkable what it does,” Berman said.

Raspberry Pi kits allow people to make their own computers and will be set up in the Community Room in the lower level. One of the most popular areas in the library is the Maker Space itself, which houses the 3D printer.

“The Maker Space is used by appointment,” library director Andrea Capone said. Teens and tweens use the space frequently, taking advantage of the computer and large screen in the room.

The 3D printer has a special filament used to print out the blueprints of items that people have created. “Those filaments are continually being used and need to be replaced,” Capone said.

Capone spoke of plans for increasing technology opportunities and programming at the library, if the funds are raised. “We’d like to create a quiet area for a podcast studio,” she said, “for people to create scripts they write, edit, and perform. They can make their own podcast.” She also hopes to add a green screen and camera equipment to the library.

For the past few years, the library has been able to offer free week-long camps for students during school vacation weeks and the summer. The programs have been so popular that morning and afternoon sessions have been held, with waitlists for both. Generally 10 to 12 students have attended the camps, where they have programmed robots, taught them how to play soccer and then had the robots play against each other. “They learn coding, cooperation, and teamwork,” Capone said of the students.

Gala sponsor Bank of Canton is a proud supporter of the library and its ongoing efforts to bring “innovation, creativity and technology” to the Canton community, according to Stephen P. Costello, bank president and CEO.

“Enhancements like the new Maker Space and its state-of-the-art equipment not only support our students’ interest in STEAM careers, but they provide residents of all ages with opportunities to engage with leading-edge technology,” said Costello.

Capone acknowledged the generosity and hard work of Bank of Canton and the Friends of the Canton Public Library to fund the needs of the library. “We’re really grateful for the support of the Bank of Canton,” she said. “They have been a wonderful community partner for the library. The Friends work so hard on behalf of the library. We cannot put on the wonderful and enriching programs that we do without their support.”

Beer and wine will be served at the gala along with passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for the Bank of Canton Technology Gala are $40 per person and $60 per couple. Tickets can be purchased by going to library.canton.ma.us/414/Bank-of-Canton-Technology-Gala. The Canton Public Library is located at 786 Washington Street.

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Posted by Mary Ann Price on Nov 15 2019. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.