The libraries of today are not buildings filled with dusty books and carefully indexed microfiche, but libraries are offering the latest books, e-resources, online music and streaming media, as well as advanced and sometimes inaccessible technology – like Google Glass – for library patrons. ALD has made it a priority to ensure that difficult-to-access technology is readily available for our patrons – like Google Glass, 3D printing, Leap Motion, an Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset, and video and music production studios at libraries. ALD is redefining libraries as from being hushed warehouses of information to transformative community centers where patrons can experience and use cutting-edge technology. Libraries have been charged with reinventing its facilities and resources, and expanding services to new and existing patrons. ALD, which includes eight community libraries, a jail library and a Library on Wheels in Arapahoe County, Colorado, has lead the way to uncharted territory when it comes to access to technology in libraries. ALD recently acquired a pair of Google Glass to share with the community, and is one of only a few organizations in Colorado that were given the opportunity to serve on the Glass Explorer Program. ALD is going into uncharted territory when it comes to technology, and is taking risks and investing in technology in a way that makes ALD the place to experience technology.

To attract a new kind of library patron, ALD decided to build creative makerspaces – dubbed The Studios – at two ALD libraries. The Studios allow patrons to record and alter their own instrumental or digital music creations with easy-to-use software. A green screen for video production, a 3D printer and everything needed to create a masterpiece – including iMacs with the Adobe Creative Cloud, iMovie and GarageBand, high-definition video cameras, a guitar, a keyboard and more are also provided. To further promote The Studio, ALD hosted its first ever Tour de Tech open-house style tech fair last spring, and will do so again at the second Studio location in May. In addition to The Studio’s technology demos with the green screen and production equipment, last year’s Tour de Tech featured 23 booths with giveaways and technology demonstrations, including the 3D printer, Recorded Books, Nook eReader demonstrations from Barnes & Noble, and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) assistance from librarians who were available to help upload eContent, including eBooks, eMagazines, audiobooks and music. The librarian of today will also spend time walking patrons through the technologies of The Studio high-tech makerspace. Through ALD’s Book a Librarian customized service model of one to one librarian to patron instruction/meeting. Designed with the tech-savvy patron in mind, and staffed by tech-savvy and innovative librarians of today. Patrons can spend time with tech-savvy librarians, who can show them how to use Google Glass, print a project on our 3D printer or take a roller coaster ride using the Oculus Rift.

During 2013, ALD’s technology resources sky-rocketed making it a banner year for transforming libraries into a technological hub. To reach increase patron usage and exposure, technology innovations that enjoyed success include:

• During 2013, ALD hosted 11 Goggle at Google Glass demonstration events. A total of 216 patrons attended.
• There are 35 computer classes and nine tech-related classes held at our libraries each month. Topics include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, iPad for beginners, social media, 3D printing, Oculus Rift demonstrations, eReader and tablet labs, and how to use Google drive. A total of 3,749 patrons attended technology programs last year at ALD.
• Nook eReaders were made available for patrons in March 2013, and 726 were checked out before the end of the year.
• Starting last spring, iPads were offered for patron use at the Library on Wheels bookmobile stops. From then until the end of the year, iPads were checked out a total of 1,800 times.
• Since The Studio at Smoky Hill Library opened early in 2013, there were 87 checkouts of production equipment and Go-Pro cameras through the end of the year.
• The demand for technology-related Book a Librarian sessions continues to rise, and with the many devices available for patron use, the advisory expectation for staff will continue to grow.
• During the first full year (2011) offering Book a Librarian sessions for technology, there were a total of 1,125, and by 2013, that number nearly doubled to 2,140 sessions focusing on technology.