#JacksLibraryTour sees father, son on mission to visit all Toronto public libraries

This is really awesome adventure for the pair.  I heard them on Metro Morning talking about their tour to date.  Jackson is absolutely adorable and did not hesitate to add his opinions during the interview. He even had his current favourite book with him on air!

Duo has visited 28 of the city's 100 libraries so far, reaching the branches via public transit

CBC News Posted: Jun 16, 2016 9:33 AM ET Last Updated: Jun 16, 2016 2:35 PM ET

Jackson and Lanrick Bennett, Jr. were given a tour by the staff at the Weston library, who caught wind of their plan to visit the branch through Twitter. (Lanrick Bennett Jr.)         

For some, Toronto's public libraries are something akin to civic sanctuaries, a place for community gatherings and learning.
For five-year-old Jackson Ryan Bennett and his father, Lanrick Bennett Jr., they're places of pilgrimage as they've embarked on a mission to visit all 100 of the city's libraries.
Dubbing the quest #JacksLibraryTour on Twitter, the idea first sprung up through a book they owned that included illustrations of Toronto's libraries by Daniel Rotsztain.

Morningside Library, Apr. 16. (Lanrick Bennet Jr.)

"I brought it home and showed it to Jack and he wanted to go to the Fort York library," the elder Bennett told CBC's Metro Morning. "I thought, 'nice and easy, we'll pop over there, take a look at it.' [We] had a fun time and went home and he was like, "I want to see the rest." And there were 99 more of these to see."
During the interview, young Jackson disputed his father's account of the genesis of their journey.
"Daddy, it wasn't like that," he said. "It was you."

#JacksLibraryTour sees father, son try visit all Toronto libraries

                                                                                                     

                         

        

           

Scarborough Civic Centre Library, June 1. (Lanrick Bennet Jr.)

The Bennetts have visited 28 libraries so far, reaching each of them via public transit.
They've been to Scarborough, and they've visited the libraries along Jane Street, Queen Street, College Street and St. Clair Avenue.
Jackson said he mostly likes to watch videos when he goes to the library, but at one location "there was only books."
So he checked out his favourite: Transformers Rescue Bots.

Parliament Library, Apr. 23. (Lanrick Bennet Jr.)

They spend two hours at each branch, walking around and reading and checking out books.
Lanrick's favourites so far are the Runnymede and Riverdale libraries.

Swansea Library, May 28. (Lanrick Bennet Jr.)

But his favourite part of the project is the chance to spend time with his son.
"I work Monday to Friday like many fathers," Bennett said.
"You've got to find time to spend with your kids."

(Lanrick Bennett Jr.)

There's A Good Reason Canadians Won't Give Up Their Libraries

Thanks Craig and Marc for your comments on the continued importance of public libraries in a world of online resources.  As public spaces, libraries provide a place for the community to meet, learn and relax!


Craig and Marc Kielburger Become a fan                                                                        

Co-Founders, Free The Children

Posted: 06/06/2016 2:16 pm EDT Updated: 06/06/2016 2:59 pm EDT            

Jean-Pierre Lescourret via Getty Images

                        

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By Craig and Marc Kielburger
If you really want to rile up a Canadian, threaten to take away their library.

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Craig got his first taste of activism speaking out to save our local library. We've noticed ever since then that when provinces and cities experience a budget crunch, libraries are often first on the chopping block. Yet invariably, citizen rise up to protect them from extinction.
Newfoundland's plan to shutter more than half its public libraries sparked a recent protest by thousands at the provincial legislature. Comedian and commentator Rick Mercer lambasted the government with one of his trademark rants.


 Libraries are so much more than just repositories for books.

When the town council of McNab-Braeside, a rural community near Ottawa, decided to cancel an arrangement that gave residents free access to the library in the neighbouring town of Arnprior, almost a third of the entire township signed a petition in protest. Then they voted out all five councillors in the next election.
In the age of e-readers, search engines and Wikipedia, why do Canadians still cling so tenaciously to these seemingly archaic institutions? Because libraries are so much more than just repositories for books.
Canada's libraries are vital community hubs with an ever-growing range of beneficial programs and services. Perhaps more relevant today than ever before, they are community institutions worth fighting for.
In McNab-Braeside, resident Brian Armisen tells us he couldn't imagine his community without the variety of services the Arnprior library offers. Armisen helped launch the campaign to save the library, and now serves as deputy mayor. Beyond free Wi-Fi and access to computers, there is a daytime storytelling program for preschoolers that not only promotes early childhood literacy, but provides a coveted social opportunity for stay-at-home moms and dads. A partnership with the town museum introduces school groups to local history.
There's a wealth of services and programs at Canadian libraries, like first aid and child health classes, financial literacy, and support for new Canadians such as English language programs, says Sandra Singh, chief librarian of the Vancouver Public Library and president of the Canadian Libraries Association.
With electronic media replacing books as the primary way information is shared in our society, libraries are at the forefront of digital technology. Whether you're a high school student keen on software coding or a senior who just wants to learn to use email to talk to your grandkids, your local library likely has a course to help you.
The newly upgraded Halifax Central Library boasts music recording studios with free access to digital sound editing equipment. Last summer, the Vancouver Central Library opened its "Inspiration Lab" featuring computers with the latest in video, audio and publishing software and gadgets. Visitors to the Toronto Reference Library can use 3D printers.
As urban communities sprawl and public spaces dwindle, Singh argues that libraries fill an increasingly needed role as community hubs. Many now feature cafes and auditoriums. The Arnprior institution has bookshelves that roll aside to make room for concerts and speaking events throughout the year.
"Libraries are about the only free public spaces left in our society where you're not a consumer, pressured to buy something," says Singh.
Perhaps most importantly, libraries provide their programs and services to those who are often marginalized or can't afford to go elsewhere for enrichment. And it's not just knowledge that libraries give to those in need. A pioneer of the sharing economy, the library lending model is expanding to create greater community access to other useful things through innovative initiatives like toy and tool libraries. We agree with Singh that libraries really are a tremendous equalizing force.
When was the last time you or your kids visited a local library to see what it has to offer? You might be surprised to discover that, far from being a community dinosaur, it's the coolest place in town.
Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger founded a platform for social change that includes the international charity, Free The Children, the social enterprise, Me to We, and the youth empowerment movement, We Day. Visit we.org for more information.

Kids Help Make Prosthetic Hand at Downtown San Diego Library

How 'synergy' at the San Diego brought two bright kids, a man who needed a hand and supportive library staff together to create something great!

You can still check out books and access the internet inside the downtown library, but as a lucky patron recently found out, you can also get a prosthetic hand.

Nick Sissakis, 39, took his kids to the library a few months back and stumbled upon the “innovation lab”, a creative and collaborative third floor space where tech-savvy librarians work with community members to make stuff.

Sissakis, born without his right hand, presented the innovators with an interesting challenge. Could they use their 3-D printers to make a prosthetic hand? The answer over the last few months turned into a resounding yes, but not without the critical involvement of two regulars from Escondido.

Calexis and Calramon Mabalot are brothers and business partners. They’re also 12 and nine-years old respectively. Last year they watched the movie “Big Hero 6” and became inspired to build their own 3-D printer.

It took them four days.

Now, they have clients all over the world and the largest 3D printing hub in Escondido, but Sissakis is their 1st prosthetic customer and 1st customer from the library’s innovation lab.

“We wanted to know more about it” said Calexis, “because we really started our business to learn”.

Using 3D scanners, the brothers and lab staff fitted Sissakis's arm and over the next few months inched closer to a working prototype.

Last week the team experienced a huge breakthrough when he tried on the hand and grabbed a bottle of water.

“Last week was the absolute 1st time I’ve ever picked something up and the rush of emotions through me was amazing” said Sissakis.

Eight-year old Calramon described the experience with a different word.

“It made me feel great because we were using the habit of synergizing."

The synergy between the library staff, Sissakis and the Mabalot brothers resulted in a working prosthetic hand, made pennies on the dollar compared to the real world price, which is why Sissakis hasn't had one until now.

"The prosthetic that I was looking at purchasing in the past was $60,000. Insurance companies refuse to pay that, you'd have to crowd-source to get it," Sissakis said.

Now the brothers want to make it better, allowing him to use his cell phone or an iPad.

“Every couple hours, I'm finding a new way to use it" said Sissakis.

Today, he can do more than just carry grocery bags and pick up tools, he can actually hold his daughter's hand, with both of his.

It’s amazing what you can find inside a library these days.

Published at 4:15 PM PDT on May 24, 2016

Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Kids-Help-Make-Prosthetic-Hand-at-Downtown-Library-380728371.html#ixzz4AQjKlJtT
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