The Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) hosted its first Digital Discovery Day at the Saratoga branch in Bedford-Stuyvesant on May 15, connecting residents with the technological tools and resources it offers.
The interactive event featured workshops, tech demos and community resources for all ages and levels of tech (dis)comfort. Attendees explored STEM activities for kids and teens, virtual DJing, LEGO Robotics League, Meta Quest virtual reality, video and photo editing, 3D printing, podcasting, heat press mug and shirt printing, engraving, and one-on-one “Ask a Tech” sessions.
Librarians were also on hand to share information about assistive technology, free databases, and online tools for job seekers and researchers.
BPL has been working with the Big Apple Connect program as part of a broader effort to boost digital literacy in local neighborhoods and highlight the resources available at branches near NYCHA housing.
Onyi Egbochue, a project manager at BPL, told Brooklyn Paper the resource fair introduced community members to the library’s “amazing” technology.
“We’re targeting the tech-savvy, but also the tech-curious, and let them know that the library is an excellent hub to come to up your skills, digital literacy, and technology overall,” Egbochue said.
Cheila Cruz, technology training coordinator at BPL, said she wants the community to know the library is a trusted resource where both tech-savvy individuals and those less familiar with technology can learn, explore and create.
“If you feel like technology hates you, then this is a place to come to explore, and we can hand-hold you through the whole process until you feel a little more comfortable,” Cruz said. “If you have more advanced skills and you want to connect your skills with some creativity, you can come and do that too.”
Kenia Homely’s 8-year-old daughter, Bliss Gooden, was busy assembling a STEM kit.
“I just happened to walk by on my lunch break, and I said, let me go in, because [Bliss] is into STEM, and she learns a lot about it in school,” Homely said.
Kazembe Batts rode three roller coasters through virtual reality glasses and told Brooklyn Paper it felt just like the real thing — complete with dips and loops.
Batts attended the event to become more tech-savvy.
“I think young folks and older folks like me need to be more into tech, and for the library to [host a digital tech day], it’s great,” Batts said. “I went to the 3D modeling, and I think that’s incredible. I need to upgrade my own personal tech skills, and I think this is very inspirational.”
Technology resource specialist Adrian helped BPL patron Laquisha with her tech questions, showing her how to download the BPL app and use e-books.
“Now I can just download books and listen to them or read them,” said Laquisha, who also planned to try the virtual games and attend some of the computer literacy classes and resume workshops BPL offers.
“The last time I used the computer to do actual work was in 2019,” she said. “Well, everything’s been updated. I don’t even speak the computer lingo. I don’t know what people are talking about. So this is going to help a lot.”
Friends Bryanna, Marvin and Dreshawn visit the Saratoga Library’s teen tech center almost every day after school. They said they enjoyed Digital Discovery Day.
“There’s a lot to do and a lot to experience new things, and you can just have fun,” said Bryanna, who is interested in STEM.
Music lovers Marvin and Dreshawn dabbled with the virtual DJ, mixing music.
“The DJ is fire,” Dreshawn said. “It’s fun to try new things. I never tried that. It would be good to learn it.”
“The experience was fun,” Marvin added. “I love music, so it was something I’d be interested in the future.”
The Brooklyn Public Library, one of the nation’s largest library systems, has provided innovative services for more than 125 years. It offers a wide range of technology programs for all ages, including Library Labs for kids and courses for adults covering digital art, photography, artificial intelligence and online safety.
BPL is home to the Kings Highway Best Buy Teen Tech Center, along with four additional teen tech centers at the Saratoga, Crown Heights, Bay Ridge and Adams Street libraries. Teens can also apply for tech internships.
