Free Library Blog - Posts by Joel N.

Early Literacy Apps to Try at Home

Joel N. — 2012-09-13T12:17:00-05:00

Lots of kids I know love tablet computers: the bright displays, the multi-touch interfaces and the endless supply of media, games and books available make them big hits with the preschool set. Although pediatricians recommend limiting screen time (including TVs, computers and so on) for very young children, most parents do not find such limits very practical.

So instead of just AngryBirds or another episode of Caillou streaming over your Netflix app, here are some apps for iOS devices (iPads, iPhones and iPod touches) to try out with your toddlers and preschoolers that might also provide support for their preliteracy skills.

Letter Tracer ($.99) is a simple app based on a Montessori technique for children to practice writing letters. There are options that allow children to trace an outlined letter, and also the copy the letter without the tracing guide. It takes just a few taps to use, and allows parents to choose the letters in alphabetical order or to shuffle them to increase the challenge level. Parents can also enable a sound option that speaks the name of the letter

Singing Fingers (free) is a finger painting app that also records whatever you say (or sing!) while you “paint” in multicolored dots on the screen. When you are done painting, you can press and hold anywhere on the drawing and hear whatever you or your child was singing and saying. Try singing a favorite lullaby or rhyme while finger painting; connecting the sounds and rhythms of the song with busy fingers is great for kinetic learners.

Felt Board ($2.99) is a virtual space for creating multicolored flannel and felt stories. Choose from preset backgrounds and characters to recreate a favorite scene from any picture book in virtual felt. This app has many figures users can modify, including people, animals, plants and flowers, as well as letters and numbers. It is great to pair this app with an actual, physical felt craft so children also have a tactile experience with the material in addition to just the glassy interface made up of pixels.

Mobile Library in Mexico City

Joel N. — 2012-07-17T10:34:00-05:00

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."

Meet LiLi, the Techmobile's Pal in Canada

Joel N. — 2012-06-08T12:29:00-05:00

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.

The Fightin' Techmobile

Joel N. — 2012-06-01T17:37:00-05:00

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.

E-books, Food Trucks, and the Night Market

Joel N. — 2012-05-31T09:29:00-05:00

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.

Dispatches from the Techmobile

Joel N. — 2012-05-16T12:54:00-05:00

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.

Philadelphia: People, Places Things with Third Graders from Reynolds School

Joel N. — 2012-05-01T14:14:00-05:00

This morning the Techmobile hosted third graders from Reynolds School onboard for an overview of the Library’s electronic resources for children, and then did a hands-on activity using Google maps alongside the Free Library’s digital collections of historical maps and historical images of Philadelphia.

Students used our laptops and iPads to explore these maps and historical images and to see how streets, buildings and places have changed over time.

These third graders are studying “Philadelphia: People, Places and Things,” and learning a lot about maps. In fact, they are wearing pedometers to help keep track of their daily steps, which they will eventually be mapping.

We also used Google maps to take a brief tour inside the White House! Check it out yourselves here.

To partner with the Techmobile, visit our webpages.

Supporting Voters with Internet Resources

Joel N. — 2012-04-24T12:32:00-05:00

We are on the road today, visiting the Kingsessing Branch. Today is primary day, and many of our branches are polling locations.

The Techmobile is parked on South 51st Street, and we are inviting on board anyone with questions about their polling place or whether they are already registered to vote, and if anyone wants to find out any information about candidates before they cast their votes. In addition, we are registering people for Library cards and offering internet access.

To find your polling place or see if you are registered to vote already, you can use the Committee of Seventy's webtools here.

To request a visit from the Techmobile at your organization or event, click here. For more information, see our Techmobile webpage.

Techmobile Launches Today!

Joel N. — 2012-04-12T08:36:00-05:00

Today the Free Library launches our Techmobile, a state-of-the art digital literacy training vehicle. Sporting iPads and laptops, presentation equipment and mobile broadband, our Techmobile brings library services, computer training and internet access on the road. It serves Philadelphians not only in their own neighborhoods, but in the organizations and places where they work and study, strengthen themselves and their communities, rebuild or recover, and create better futures.

Mayor Nutter, Congressman Fattah and Free Library President and Director Siobhan Reardon will cut the ribbon on the Techmobile at the People’s Emergency Center, an organization that serves formerly homeless women and families through independent living facilities and community development. Then members of the PEC community will come on board for a computer training.

Offering workshops in email and internet basics, documents, and spreadsheets, as well as job search and resume trainings, the Techmobile will visit community organizations in the areas of the city with least access to broadband connectivity at home. In the coming days, Techmobile staff will offer trainings at a community service organization in North Philadelphia, behavioral health and developmental disability providers in West and South Philadelphia, as well as groups supporting grandparents raising children, daycare providers and PHA residents.

To request a Techmobile visit, fill out this form.

For more information, visit the Techmobile webpages or call 215 686 5372, and follow or fan us Twitter and Facebook.

The Techmobile is Coming!

Joel N. — 2012-01-25T08:56:00-05:00

The Free Library is acquiring a Techmobile, a 25’ vehicle outfitted for digital literacy training and outreach. Right now, construction is in progress and we expect you’ll see the Techmobile hitting the streets in April.

Trainings will range from computer and email basics, résumé writing and job searching to workshops about small business resources, parenting resources, social networking, e-books and more.

The Free Library will partner with community organizations for these trainings. If you or your organization is interested in a visit from the Techmobile, please fill out the Partner Interest Form.

Techmobile Stop Criteria

Organization’s mission must relate to the mission of the Free Library: “The Free Library of Philadelphia advances literacy, guides learning, and inspires curiosity.”
Organization’s programs and services must target underserved populations.
Location must have adequate and safe parking for the vehicle (measuring 25 feet long).There are 6 training workstations, and each Techmobile visit will contain a formal training or workshop as well as open access time.
Organization must provide staff or volunteer support to assist with class registration before our visit, arrival, set-up and security. Techmobile staff should also be able to use the facilities of a host organization.
Participants must complete an evaluation at end of training
Event, workshop or activity must be free of charge to the participants, and must be open to all residents in accordance with the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance that prohibits discrimination.

This program is supported by the Federal Broadband Opportunities Program Grant. The zip codes identified in the BTOP Grant are: 19102, 19103, 19104, 19106, 19107, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19128, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19135, 19136, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19148, 19154. For more information about the BTOP Grant in Philadelphia, please visit the Phillykeyspots.com, the homepage of the Freedom Rings Partnership.

Please direct any other questions to Joel Nichols, Techmobile Manager, at 215 686-5372 or via email at nicholsj@freelibrary.org.