In 2017, 1,500 people attended the library’s Christmas Tree Lighting. We quickly realized people were more interested in the 3-D printer on display than visiting Santa, and noted the appetite for technology, particularly with children. We needed to provide more STEM programming, and include AI, robotics and coding so that Roanoke’s children would be prepared for the future workforce and competitive with their peers across the U.S. We wanted to make AI accessible, and sought to close gaps in the field, including gender.

We launched partnerships with RobotLAB, Girls Who Code, Code Club Roanoke and local groups such as Roanoke Robotics and Makers Club and Noke Codes, allowing us to offer higher level tech programming. We initiated discussions with the Social Services Department and local schools. One group donated 25 Micro:bits for circulation, making coding available to kids at home. We mapped out and marketed programs and outreach activities including coding with Pepper® and Cozmo, and made available a smaller robot, Vector, at all six of our locations.

In one year, 10,000 people have interacted with Vector, and we offered 200 AI and coding programs, drawing 3,300 children and teens. Makey Makey kits and Micro:bits have checked out 100 times. We shared information with libraries across the U.S. and Canada, provided the opening presentation at the Virginia Library Association’s fall conference and presented with Palo Alto librarians in March at Computers in Libraries. Young Roanokers now are familiar with, and see RCPL as their go-to place for, AI and robotics learning.