Library aims to turn young technology users into creators this weekend

Today’s kids are heavy technology users, but the Free Library of Philadelphia is encouraging them take on a new role — one of technology creators.

The Free Library is hosting a “Maker Showcase” Saturday, December 14th, to promote the kinds of unsuspecting tech projects anyone can create with the resources at their public library or even their homes.

Projects like video games or 3D designs. The event will feature ten stations, each showcasing a different project.

“We’re actually going to have stations set up with a green screen,” said Khaleef Aye, an organizer. “We’ll have Snap Circuits, which is actually run by one of our librarians out of the Cecil B. Moore library. We’re also going to have a 3D printer which is housed at our central library. People will actually be able to see how it prints and how to create on a 3D printer.”

While the event is mainly targeted at kids, Aye says its first showcase in involved people of all ages learning from one another.

“That intergenerational learning opportunity is one of the positive aspects that we didn’t expect when we planned this,” said Aye. “It’s really cool to see adults learning from younger folks and younger folks feeling empowered in this environment.

Aye also hopes events like this might inspire young people to look at careers in technology.

“The goal for all of this would be to get young folks to have an appreciation for technology, really as a producers rather than consumers,” Aye said. “Then move into that industry and really offer that as something we can grow in the city.”

Saturday’s showcase is free and runs from 11a.m. to 3p.m. at the main branch of the Free Library.