Let me set the scene: The holidays are over. Presents — unwrapped. Thank you notes — sent. Gift cards — spent. Netflix — binged. Businesses — reopened.
At last, 2018 is laid to rest.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve had about as much “resting and recharging” as you can handle. It’s time to double-knot your shoelaces, kick open the door and make the most of the early part of 2019.
No, literally. Let’s make something! For starters, January has been International Creativity Month, and the Bartholomew County Public Library is here to make all your passions come to life, no matter the time of year.
We offer diverse technological and artistic programs for all ages. As a certified library assistant in children’s services, I oversee a majority of our science, technology and math programming. Does a child in your life love computers? Do they want to learn to code their own games? If so, sign up for Coder Dojo.
Our coding club meets twice per month on the first and third Tuesdays. At the dojo, we don’t formally teach coding — we provide our “ninjas” with the support and resources they need to follow their own interests.
There is some structure: we have club rules, we offer specific challenges from month to month and most all of our projects are done through the same two programs (Scratch and Trinket). However, at any given dojo meeting, we’ll have one ninja coding a shark to catch a fish, another creating her own sound effects for her platforming game and another teaching a Raspberry Pi to tell bad jokes.
All three are learning important fundamentals of coding and physical computing, with the added bonus of the creative freedom. Coder Dojo has very specific registration requirements, so if you have questions, please call the children’s desk at 812-379-1288 and ask for Becca or Lindsey.
That’s just one example of creative, maker-driven programming. For adults, we offer a monthly craft night, led by a rotating pool of instructors. For teens, we recently launched a new fine arts club called Art Smart, where we deep dive into various fine arts topics and practice our skills. Both programs require registration at mybcpl.org under the category of events.
All ages are welcome in the Digital Underground, where you can reserve time with a green screen, audio and video recording equipment, or use our 3D printer. Stefanie Merrifield, our new coordinator and queen of the Underground, is here to assist, answer questions and troubleshoot all problems that stand between you and your envisioned results. Reservations for the Digital Underground can be made over the phone at 812-379-1294 or online at bcpldu.wixsite.com/digitalunderground.
This is an exciting time. It’s an opportunity to look forward at the brand new year before you and decide how you’d like to spend it. And then? Go out and make it happen!
What’s that quote I saw on Pinterest? “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” Sounds like great advice to me.
No matter what your passions are, or what creative or technological endeavors you set your mind to, keep your friendly neighborhood librarians in your back pocket. Our doors are open. (No kicking required.)
Becca McNair is a certified library assistant at the Bartholomew County Public Library. She can be reached at [email protected].
