More than just books available at the Okanagan Regional Library

Feb 9, 2022 | 4:39 PM

The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) is helping kids expand their skills in math, art, science and technology by offering more than just books.

The Library of Thin gs at ORL branches allows people to borrow kits containing specific items for kids to build problem-solving skills and improve critical and creative thinking.

The Library of Things offers Snap Circuit Junior Kits; Birding Backpacks; Sphero Bolt and iPad; Ozobot Evo; Code and Go Mouse; and Microscope Kits.

These items were introduced to the Library of Things in January, and Michal Utko, the ORL’s Director of Marketing and Communications, told Vernon Matters they are all designed to help early learners explore new activities and build skills for the future.

“We have the Sphero Bolt, Ozobot Evo and the Code and Go Mouse, all of which use programming and computing to program actions into robots and then see those robots perform those actions. So it’s really taking the code and showing kids there is a physical reaction to the code that they write,” said Utko.

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“In addition we have Snap Circuit Jr., which allows kids to experiment with electronics and with circuitry. So you have a lot of different input devices like photo sensors and switches and buttons and those can be put into a circuit to perform actions like activating a fan or activating speakers or other elements.”

Utko adds that these kits involve interactive, hands-on items.

The library’s Birding Backpacks contain binoculars and bird information, which can get kids out into the wilderness to learn more about native birds.

“The Okanagan has so many different species of birds. If you’re interested, you could find some really cool ones and some really rare ones.”

The microscope kits are also available through the library, and Utko noted that this is a high ticket item and can spark some real interest in science.

“I fell like this is a really good stepping stone for kids to get into something that they may be really passionate in the future about that they may not have had experience with,” said Utko.

The kits are lent out of the library for the same time periods as books, and Utko noted that just borrowing these items rather than buying them can be a positive in the event that the kids lose interest.

In addition to items for kids, the Library of Things has a few items that adults can benefit from.

There are Home Energy Kits that include a thermal imaging camera for people to use to see where there is heat loss happening in their home.

The library has also been loaning out Radon Detectors since 2020, which can be set up in a residence to test for the cancer-causing gas.

“[The Radon Detectors] have been quite popular and people have been using them, we’ve been getting really good feedback about them. And obviously it’s really beneficial for us to look at someone who borrows a kit and has peace of mind about the radon levels in their house.”

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas produced by uranium is soil breaking down that can come up through the ground and into a residence through cracks or holes in the foundation. The colourless and odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung-cancer in Canada

The kits are spread out across the ORL branches, and people will need to reserve the items online in order to secure them.

Most kits are lent out for a two-week period except for the Home Energy Kits, which are lent out for just a week, and the Radon Detectors, which can be borrowed for up to four weeks.

All of the items and kits in the Library of Things are made available thanks to grants and donations, including from Fortis B.C. and from the B.C. Lung Foundation.

by Liam Verster

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