Libraries have always served an essential purpose within most communities. They have acted as a great learning hub for adults and children alike. However, with the recent digitalization of pretty much everything and most books readily available online, the importance of libraries has shifted, and Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee has stepped up to the plate for the community.
Within these rapidly evolving times, anyone who wants to succeed in this era must embrace technology to stay relevant. And that is what the Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee, Florida, has done by opening up a new space called the TechCentral.
Here's what library fans, tech geeks, and everyone else need to know about it.
About Hart Memorial Library
The Hart Memorial Central Library in Kissimmee is part of the Osceola Library System, which includes five other libraries in Florida. This branch serves as the headquarters for the library system and is at the heart of downtown Kissimmee.
The Osceola Library System holds a long and significant history in Kissimmee. Their first library was established in 1910 on North Stewart Avenue on land donated by Catherine S. Hart, the widow of Ossian B. Hart, tenth governor of Florida.
The local community first used the land for a post office, then a bookstore, before finally turning into the first library of the Osceola Library System. Over the decades, the library system received a lot of support from the American Women's League and other prominent members of the society.
The library expanded to six locations with continuous backing and support, including the bustling and high-tech Hart Memorial Library.
What you need to know about TechCentral
Hart Memorial Library believes in lifelong learning and aiding discovery, and that's why it is always striving to offer access to the latest information through a variety of physical and digital resources. They also provide internet access and arrange classes for building skills in different areas.
Accordingly, their brand new TechCentral is another aspect of those endeavors. This creative space will provide the library patrons with access to different tools and technologies to help them build new skills and competencies, which will ultimately help them pursue their dreams.
Most of the resources available are beyond the reach and access of the average person. So, the library has arranged this space so that community members can benefit from these specialized creative spaces featuring advanced technologies.
You can find these creative spaces, usually referred to as maker spaces, on the library's second floor with many expensive and state-of-the-art technology. Facilities available at the library include:
- · Recording Studio
- · Sewing Studio
- · Virtual Reality Headsets
- · iMac Computer Lab with Graphic Designing Software
- · Photography Studio
- · 3D Printing
- · Robotics for Kids
To use these services, you need to have an Osceola Library card. The good news is that anyone who resides in Osceola County, is employed there, or studies there can get a library card quickly. You can catch a glimpse of the place by watching the orientation video of TechCentral.
Other things to look forward to at Hart Memorial Library
The Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee, Florida, also houses the Ray Shanks Law Library for any law enthusiasts. They have a unique genealogy collection as well, which always interests a wide range of visitors.
The library administration holds various events around the year for adults, teens, and kids. These include storytelling sessions as well as practical workshops on building resumes and finding jobs. You can even book rooms at the library for meetings and other similar events.
Timings
The Hart Memorial Library is open seven days a week, so you can swing by any day if you find yourself in the area. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
The TechCentral, in particular, is open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and Fridays are exclusively for scheduled classes. The TechCentral is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Besides that, the library also offers a curbside pickup option and personal shopper services. So if you don't have the time to come and browse the library yourself or limit your exposure to public spaces, you can avail these options to get items from the library with minimal contact. These pickup services are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday to Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Final thoughts
Libraries are an excellent place to inculcate a habit of learning in your children or even fuel your drive for it. Moreover, with libraries like the Hart Memorial Library in Kissimmee, Florida, there's a lot more to learn than simple textbooks and novels.
The new TechCentral space offers many more resources to learn from and expand your skills. And while you're there, you can also check out some of the other events taking place at the library as well. Keep an eye on their updates to learn about the latest news and events.
"What is the value of libraries? Through lifelong learning, libraries can and do change lives, a point that cannot be overstated."-Michael Gorman-