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Free Library Techmobile
This program is funded by the Federal Broadband Technologies Opportunities (BTOP) grant, and is intended to help provide broadband access and digital literacy training to the areas of Philadelphia with the most need. (See list of zip codes below). The trainings will range from computer and email basics, resume writing and job searching to workshops about small business resources, parenting resources, social networking, e-books and more.
The Free Library will partner with a community organization for these trainings. To that end, we would like to encourage suggestions from all Free Library staff of community contacts and organizations that might be interested in partnering with the Techmobile.
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Tue, July 17, 2012
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inside the A47 |
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A few weeks ago, we posted about LiLi, a experimental hi-tech library vehicle from Canada. Today, meet A47, a mobile library in Mexico City that has taken a decidedly low-tech angle to reach out and deliver library services.
Instead of the cutting-edge digital delivery of library services, including digital literacy training, e-book downloads and content-creation workshops, you'll find on our Techmobile, A47 is instead a mobile community center, flexible arts and performance space, and art library. From a description of this vehicle:
"The floor of the lorry comprises a series of mobile platforms giving access to the bookshelves, allowing the space to be re-arranged according to the different activities taking place. The micro perforated sheet surround acts as a permeable membrane that merges the outside and inside, making the space an exercise in honesty with its environment. From the street, one's view of the transparent intricacy that suspends the large solid volume allows a glimpse of the diverse range of titles inside, while also acting as an urban beacon through the night. This illumination — produced by the lorry's own integrated electricity generator — provides a reassuring glow when the streets fall dark, and announces the start of its nightly programme."
Read more here.
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Techmobile
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A47 by night |
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Fri, June 8, 2012
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Today we're at 25th and Lehigh, serving One Day at a Time Recovery and other recovery houses in this neighborhood, providing access and assistance for people getting online for the first time, working on resumes, and learning about social media privacy. We've just heard about a new mobile digital library project, in Canada, that is similar to our Techmobile program.
Read more about LiLi, a digital outreach vehicle from Fraser Valley Regional Library, in British Columbia here.
This project is Fraser Valley's Library Live and On Tour project, to promote library service and reach deeper into their communities. And also just like our Techmobile, LiLi is loaded with e-readers, a sound system and other digital tools to promote service "through community development, access to information, adult literacy advocay and awareness."
British Columbia is too far away for a visit, so the Techmobile and LiLi will have to keep their friendship online for now. Fan our Facebook page to keep track of where we are!
To request the Techmobile at your event or organization, please click here.
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Techmobile
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LiLi, another library vehicle |
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Fri, June 1, 2012
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Techmobile outside Citizens Bank Park |
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Stop by on your way into the park! |
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The Techmobile is parked outside the third base gate at Citizens Bank Park, helping welcome Phillies fans to the game tonight as they face off against the Marlins. (OK--we're welcoming everyone, but rest assured we're mostly seeing red.)
Stop by and say hi on your way into the game.
While you're on board, you can register for a new library card, learn how to download "We are the Champions" and other music to your mp3 player for free from the Library website, or check out a picture book for fidgety little ones as the night goes on.
If you happen to see us and get a chance to snap our picture out and about, please email it to us at techmobile@freelibrary.org.
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Techmobile
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Thu, May 31, 2012
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The Techmobile at North Bowl. |
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Last week, the Techmobile traveled to North Second Street to participate in the Food Trust's Night Market, a "roving street fair celebrating the city's ethnic restaurants, gourmet food trucks and coolest neighborhoods from the people who brought you Headhouse Farmer's Market."
Thank you to Oron at North Bowl, who graciously let us park in his lot. We spent many hours talking to people and inviting them on board for tours of the Techmobile. In addition, we demonstrated how to check out Library e-books on your Kindle, iPad or other reader, and registered many new friends for library cards.
Between the dynamic and happy crowd, fantastic live music playing in the open storefront across the street, the delicious smells wafting about from Philly's finest food trucks, and seeing many old and new faces, the Techmobile team felt right at home. We can't wait for next month! Thanks again to the Food Trust for having us.
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Techmobile
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Our friends at the Food Trust. |
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Wed, May 16, 2012
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We have had a busy and adventurous week aboard the Techmobile. From geography and map literacy programs for third graders to lots of open access time where adults registered for online banking services, worked on their resumes, set up their new Kindles and learned to download free music from the Free Library's website, we are ready to help with any digital literacy need.
We also visited a Literacy Fair at St. Christopher's Hospital, but our biggest challenged this week has been getting gas. Pumps at the first two depots we visited were out of service, but our third try was a charm. The friendly and generous firefighters at Squad 47 on Grey's Ferry Avenue helped us access their pumps so we could make sure we were rolling today with full air conditioning.
So, a big thank you to the Philadelphia Fire Department from the Free Library's technology outreach team!
To request a visit from the Techmobile, please visit freelibrary.org/techmobile.
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Hot Spots,
Techmobile
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Drying out our awning after days of rain, outside the Cobbs Creek Branch |
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Techmobile and Free Library delivery truck meeting up on the road! |
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