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Virginia Beach Public Library's new 'Take Home Tech' kits make learning fun

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Artie 3000 is here to assist! The Virginia Beach Public Library announced it added four new kits to its Take Home Techofferings, including robots that help kids learn coding in fun ways and portable scanners that can be used to convert photos, negatives and documents into digital files.

Take Home Tech is free, like everything else at the library, to borrow with a VBPL account, which is free to Virginia Beach residents.

“VBPL lends technology to encourage residents of all ages to explore and build important 21st century skills at their own pace and from the comfort of home,” said Nicole McGee, technology training coordinator for VBPL. “Take Home Tech aligns with VBPL’s strategic initiative to provide the community with engaging learning experiences both in our buildings and at home.”

The new Take Home Tech kits include:

  • Artie 3000: This drawing robot, ideal for children ages 7-12, teaches coding using visual block programming.
  • Dash and Dot: These Bluetooth-connected robots for children ages 6 and up feature lights, sensors and fun sounds. Code them to move through mazes, create and play music and more.
  • ClearClick Photo Scanner: Use this handheld portable scanner to save old photos and important documents as digital files and transfer them to your computer.
  • Titan Film-to-Digital Converter: Convert photos, film and slide negatives into digital images you can save and share.

The library has been lending Take Home Tech since 2017. You can place holds on the kids in VBPL's online catalogand check out up to two at a time for up to 21 days each.

VBPL also offers a Stay & Play technology collection featuring Osmo educational games and technology classes for all ages.