Reading books and using computers are just some of the reasons people are piling into the Wichita Advanced Learning Library. Behind its doors, podcasts are being made, medical equipment is being checked out, as well as other items like hot spots and telescopes. “We decided that we wanted to listen to what community members want through surveys and customer feedback and that’s how we started building our library of things,” said Communication Specialist Sean Jones. Introducing non-traditional items began back in 2021. Jones said the library is considered an urban library and part of a network called the Urban Libraries Counsel. He said they work with their counterparts at these library systems and share ideas and information about what is going on in the different communities. Jones said this is a way of keeping the community coming in. Because Sedgwick County is at medium risk for radon, the first item outside of books they had available for checkout was a radon detector and it was flying off the shelf. The AV studio has become popular for more than just recording music or creating podcasts, people use the room to work on graphic design projects using the Adobe Creative Suite offered. Technology Trainer Janelle Mercer said, “If you’re needing help with an iPhone and iPad or maybe you want to learn how to check out our e-books, we can help you with that or if you want to learn to use something like our AV studio or even our chrome books.” Jeanne Mitchell, a regular at the library, said, “You can start as a toddler and learn to read and then you can create and as an old person, senior, now I just have a great time.” Also introduced are passport application services at some of the other library branches.
Source: KAKE – News
