Robotics Kits Driving Innovation in Public Libraries

TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY

Un partenariat pour fournir des outils et des ressources en sciences, technologies, ingénierie et mathématiques (STEM) aux usagers de toute la ville

Dash and Dot robots continue to be a popular learning tool amongst staff delivering STEM programs at TPL, and children attending those programs. The bots make learning fun through their various functionalities and can be used to support introductory learning and more advanced interdisciplinary learning, in both collaborative and self-directed environments.

Leah Fiore
Manager, Children’s Programs, Service
Development & Innovation, Toronto Public
Library

The Challenge

With an aim to broaden Toronto’s digital access and inclusion and enhance the library’s role as a dynamic, forward-thinking hub of knowledge and community engagement, the Toronto Public Library sought to design an initiative that responded to emerging needs and community interest in robotics, coding, and digital literacy learning.

The Solution

Beginning in 2017, TPL engaged various organizations, including Logics Academy, to identify learning tools that could support the development of curated robotics and circuitry kits, called Play and Learn STEM Kits (PLSKs). These kits would be introduced in programs to support digital literacy skills development in school-age children.

With Dash and Dot robots and accessories among the selected tools, TPL worked with Logics Academy to procure equipment to support the initiative and to deliver training for library staff, which was essential for the successful rollout of the PLSKs.

The Results

By August 2023, PLSKs were fully implemented in 97 branches in the system. As a result, an estimated 60,000 children have access to unique STEM learning opportunities each year, and
library staff across the system have access to unique professional development opportunities on an ongoing basis.