Tech hub offers creative engagement for Augusta kids

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – 3D printers, a sound mixer, a green screen, headphones and more are all at the Augusta Richmond County Public Library.

On Friday, the public got a first look at the new tech hub.

It’s a new space brought on by teens and what they felt would be innovative for the library.

Director Emanuel Mitchell took that feedback and brought it to life.

“For the next generation, it opens the door to let them know yes the library is a place for books, but it’s also a place to inspire you. To go from using a 3D printer to pulling books on a 3-D printer, to wanting to know more about how they work,” said Mitchell.

Inside you’ll find just about anything for the creative mind — two 3d printers, a 3d laser printer, a green screen and music production equipment.

“We also have something for the child at heart for those that have VHS and no longer can find a VCR. We have now the technology to digitize that to a thumb drive so the memories can live on,” said Mitchell.

Tonia Gibbons with the public library board of trustees says having something like this sets kids on the right path.

“A lot of times we want children to grow up and be successful, but we don’t necessarily always give them the tools, or they don’t have access, so for the library to be that place and it’s a safe space. It’s a place where they can come, relax, and do what they need to do, but learn, grow, and hopefully go off and do great things and come back to the city of Augusta,” she said.

And kids are already enjoying the space, like Maurice Norman who initially said he was not too thrilled about coming to the library until he saw the tech hub.

“I initially thought it was going to be a little boring, but after I saw lots of fun stuff, it was fun, exciting. I even wanted to 3D print something,” he said.

You can start signing up to use the tech hub on Monday.

This is only phase one. The library plans on adding a recording studio as well as a classroom for coding instruction and script writing. Construction for phase two will start next year.

The tech hub was made possible through a city grant.

You do have to have a library card to use the space.

For more information, visit the library’s website.

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