The Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library will be getting some technological upgrades to its collaborative spaces to create more learning opportunities for the communitys youth.

These upgrades, part of the second phase of the librarys Tomball Innovation Lab initiative, come with the help of the librarys partner, the Tomball Economic Development Corp.

The TEDC is thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate on this community project. The Innovation Lab plays a key role in building a skilled and inspired workforce in Tomball, TEDC Executive Director Kelly Violette said. This investment will bring world-class technology to local students and create a space at the LSC-Tomball Community Library that will be second to none in our area.

The upgrades will be to the librarys teen space, which first launched in January 2020 two years ago. Janna Hoglund, LSC-Tomball Community Library Director, said the upgrades include new technology furniture, and will cost about $50,000 total.

We would like to bring the space up to date and make it appealing to our community youth because theyre also entitle to have some nice area where they can come socialize, cooperate, create and use advanced technology which we absolutely lack right now, Hoglund said.

One of the major updates for the space is bringing in an interactive digital table with a touch screen, which provides access to internet and other applications and can be used for tasks like resume building, language learning, sketching and animating on a 55-inch screen.

Another upgrade includes a digital wall, Hoglund said, which can be used as one large screen or broken down into smaller ones for learning activities and presentations. The library will also be adding advanced virtual reality technology to provide a new way to learn about subjects like anatomy, as well as other virtual experiences.

You need to offer the youth something so they can come, Hoglund said. If you dont have anything to offer you shouldnt be surprised why they probably dont want to come to you. Were very excited to bring our Tomball youth to this special initiative.

Digital literacy is crucial for success in todays workforce, Hoglund said, and access to technology like this will help support that as well as teach problem solving and social skills.

Education and workforce development, alongside innovation and entrepreneurship, are TEDC strategic goals. Resources made possible by the technology investments at LSC-Tomball Community Library will help achieve these goals and demonstrate that Tomball is dedicated to creating unique avenues for student success, TEDC Assistant Director Tiffani Wooten said.

Additional specialized furniture is also included in the upgrades, she said, which can be moved around and transformed depending on the need or the activity at the time and will include outlets to charge electronic devices. Some furniture includes a library teen services desk, mobile tables and chairs and storage areas.

We would like to bring equipment that most likely wont be available at their homes but would be very helpful for their development, personal and professional, to enter the workforce to be successful.

Hoglund said she is hopefully the updates to the space will be completed by May.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com

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Tomball library upgrading teen space with new technology - Houston Chronicle