From drones and robots to ghost-hunting kits and 3D printing, the Chanute Public Library is giving residents a chance to explore new technology and resources during a Tech Expo this week.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Central Park Pavilion and is open to the public. The come-and-go event is designed to give people of all ages an opportunity to see and try out technology available through the library and the Southeast Kansas Library System.
Library Director Jeana Lawrence said the expo grew out of a grant received by the regional library system last year to bring new forms of technology to libraries across Southeast Kansas.
The goal, she said, is to help residents become more comfortable with emerging technology while also showing how libraries can serve as a place for hands-on learning.
“We want people to see what kinds of technology are out there and give them the chance to try it in a way that’s fun and not intimidating,” Lawrence said.
Children attending the expo will be able to experiment with interactive projectors, drones and robots. Adults will have a chance to see equipment such as a 3D printer, Cricut machine and laser engraver — tools the library hopes to incorporate into future programming and workshops.
Adult Services Librarian Chanelle Gontarz said the event is meant to spark curiosity and show how technology can be used for learning, hobbies or classroom activities.
“It’s a way for people to explore new technology options, whether that’s for their own personal gain or if they’re a homeschooler or teacher looking for something different for their classroom,” Gontarz said.
Along with introducing new technology, the library is also expanding its “Library of Things,” a collection of items that patrons can check out much like books or movies.
Unlike traditional materials, the collection includes practical and recreational tools such as STEM kits, birding kits, cookie cutters shaped like Kansas state symbols and a ghost-hunting kit. The library also offers blood pressure monitoring kits, which are part of a regional health initiative designed to increase access to heart health resources.
The program, known as Libraries with Heart, was created through a partnership between the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, K-State Extension – Southwind Extension District and the American Heart Association, along with several participating libraries across the region.
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Through the initiative, libraries provide validated blood pressure monitors that patrons can borrow through the Library of Things, along with educational materials explaining how to use the devices and understand blood pressure readings.
The program also connects community members with information about local healthcare providers for follow-up care and additional support.
“This initiative is a great example of how libraries truly serve as hubs for community wellness,” said Tara Solomon-Smith, a Healthy Heart Ambassador and extension agent with K-State Extension. “By making blood pressure monitoring more accessible, we’re helping individuals take proactive steps toward healthier lives.”
The idea behind a Library of Things, Gontarz said, is simple: provide access to items people may want to try without having to purchase them.
“These are things that maybe people don’t want to buy or might only use once or twice,” she said. “It gives them the opportunity to take something home, use it and see what they can do with it.”
Items in the collection generally check out for one week and must be checked out by adults, though many kits are designed for families or children to use together.
Lawrence said the library is always open to suggestions for new additions to the collection and encourages residents to share ideas for items that could benefit the community.
The Tech Expo is intended to introduce many of these possibilities while giving residents a chance to explore technology in a relaxed setting.
“We just want people to come out, see what’s available and maybe discover something new they’d like to learn,” Lawrence said.
Residents interested in learning more about the event or the Library of Things can contact the Chanute Public Library by phone or email at publiclibrary@ chanute.org.
