From April 2025 to December 2026, Toronto Public Library’s Artificial Intelligence Upskilling Initiative bridges the growing AI divide by providing training to 11,000 community members and offering Torontonians access to generative AI tools, skills training and programs to support employment, boost productivity and encourage safe use of AI.
Building on TPL’s proven record of broadening digital access and inclusion, this new initiative provides peer learning circles, 1:1 access to experts, hands-on workshops, professional scale conferences, independent access to tools through TPL’s technology spaces – something for every Torontonian. Best practices and lessons learned are shared with the library community.
Updated: August 1, 2025
From April to August 2025, TPL delivered 30 learning circle cohorts, reaching X unique participants and X session visits and a X% program satisfaction. X% of survey respondents indicated increased confidence in using AI tools.
Below is a small sampling of feedback shared by customers:
Posted on LinkedIn (see screenshot below): “Thrilled to share that I’ve completed the Google AI Essentials certificate! I highly recommend this course to someone who is curious to learn the fundamentals about AI, regardless of their background in IT or non-IT fields. A huge thank you to the Toronto Public Library for providing an access to this incredible course by Google at Coursera.”
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Explore our curated collection of resources to deepen your understanding of artificial intelligence. This page offers links to TPL resources (recommended additional courses), key publications, informative websites, and insightful articles—handpicked by AI Upskilling library staff to support your learning and research in AI. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, you’ll find valuable tools and materials here.
All of the following online resources are free to use with a library card and are available from home as well as in the library.
Gale offers six-week, instructor-led online courses, covering introductory to intermediate topics, with a certificate of completion. New sessions begin monthly. Registration is required.
LinkedIn Learning provides access to a collection of thousands of high-quality instructional videos focused on computers, business and self-improvement skills.
Here are some highlighted titles to get you started, covering various aspects of AI:
AI for Business & Leadership:
Understanding AI Concepts:
AI for Creativity, Education, & Personal Growth:
HS Talks offers a unique opportunity to hear from leading global experts, including Nobel Laureates. This resource is good for international content. Here are some sample titles:
Let’s Learn Tech Online is a collection of interactive, self-paced courses from Cisco Networking Academy to help you learn IT job skills. Let’s Learn Tech courses are sometimes partnered with TPL Learning Circles. This is a good resource to check out if you are interested in learning a diverse array of computer skills and are particularly useful for those interested in the technical side of IT and AI
Course titles include:
O’Reilly Learning is a collection of eBooks, audiobooks, articles and videos about technology and business. All titles are immediately available – —you will never have to place a hold. You can filter searches for specific formats. Make sure you are looking at the most up to date resources, as information about AI ages quickly.
Sample titles include:
Toronto Public Library subscribes to a number of databases which give you free access to articles from newspapers, magazines and academic journals. Each of these databases has a “Getting Started Guide” to make your search easy and productive. Checking these databases out regularly can keep you up to date.
Example keywords participants can use when searching for AI-related articles include “artificial intelligence ethics” and “machine learning applications”.
Helpful databases for AI, technology and business include:
Podcasts
Podcasts are an accessible and engaging way to learn more about AI. You can access these podcasts through podcast apps on smartphones or computers. Lots of general interest or news podcasts have occasional episodes which feature AI, but the following titles are all-AI, all the time:
Canada
CIFAR – Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
CILAR – Coalition of Innovation Leaders Advancing Respect
CILAR brings together a group of top technology and innovation leaders to dismantle structural racism in technology.
Booklists, resources, and tips, including how to cite AI-generated documents.
Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute
Mila is a community of more than 1,200 researchers specializing in artificial intelligence. Areas of research include health, environment and climate change, and AI ethics.
A non-profit institute established to “democratize AI ethics literacy”. Their goal is to educate citizens and decision-makers in AI ethics so that they can build a more responsible future. Publishes the bi-weekly AI Ethics Brief newsletter,
This independent, not-for-profit institute is Toronto-based and aims to drive excellence in the use of AI to foster economic growth in Canada and improve the lives of Canadians. They offer free introductory courses in AI to black and indigenous students.
Europe
University of Helsinki Artificial Intelligence Collection
Offers a series of online courses which are free to those who do not enroll for credit. The introductory class Elements of AI is the most popular course in the history of the University of Helsinki.
United States
Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence
The Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) is the premier scientific society dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying thought and intelligent behavior and their embodiment in machines. AAAI produces a quarterly open-access academic publication, AI Magazine, which is available on their website.
The Center for Humane Technology “Wfocuses on transforming the incentives that drive technology, from social media to artificial intelligence.”
Distributed AI Research Institute
The Distributed AI Research Institute publishes and supports independent, community-rooted AI research and is concerned with “uncovering and mitigating the harms of current AI systems” and planning for a future in which AI is a tool for equity and sustainability. This institute is broadly international and is a great place to see AI through a non-Western lens.
Stanford University Human-Centered AI Institute
Advancing AI research, education, and policy to improve the human condition. Their annual AI Index, which outlines trends in research and development, responsible AI, and AI in science and medicine, is available on their website.
Government of Canada Guide on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence
This guide is written for government employees, and is a great example of guidelines for the use of AI in the workplace. Find out if your own company has a similar AI policy.
Government of Canada Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Government
This website details the Government of Canada’s approach and guidelines for using artificial intelligence responsibly within its operations and services.
“The People + AI Guidebook is a living, evolving collection of practical guidance and best practices for designing human-centered AI products.” Includes the AI Exploreables articles.
This page is designed to help you increase your knowledge on Artificial Intelligence. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Start with the TPL Resources for a Foundation: Our recommended TPL resources, like the Gale Courses and LinkedIn Learning, offer structured learning opportunities and are a great place to build your initial understanding of AI concepts and related skills.
Explore Podcasts for Accessible Overviews: Podcasts provide a convenient and engaging way to learn about AI on the go. They often cover current trends and discussions in an easy-to-understand format.
Use the Databases to Find Current Articles on Specific Topics: The TPL databases give you access to a wealth of up-to-date articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. Use keywords related to your interests to find the latest information and research in specific areas of AI.
Check out the Organizations for Deeper Dives and Diverse Perspectives: The listed organizations offer valuable insights, research, and resources from academic, industry, and ethical standpoints. Explore their websites to delve deeper into specific areas of AI and gain different perspectives on its development and impact.
We encourage you to explore these resources at your own pace and discover the learning methods that work best for you. Happy exploring!
Enroll in free self-paced introductory tech courses through Cisco’s Networking Academy and Skills for All platforms.
This 75-hour course covers basic coding in Python, as well as general computer programming techniques and concepts. This course can help you prepare for Python Institute’s PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming exam.
Learners have access to hands-on practice materials, labs, quizzes, and assessments to learn how to utilize the skills and knowledge gained on the course and interact with some real-life programming tasks and situations. This course provides a dedicated, interactive online programming environment that allows Python code to be run in an internet browser.
This 70-hour course will introduce you to the basics of programming in C++, and the fundamental notions and techniques it uses.
You will have access to hands-on practice materials, labs, quizzes, and tests to learn how to utilize the skills and knowledge gained on the course and interact with some real-life programming tasks and situations.
This 40-hour course covers basic coding in JavaScript, as well as general computer programming techniques and concepts. This course can help you prepare for OpenEDG JavaScript Institute’s JSE – Certified JavaScript Entry-Level Programmer certification exam.
Learners have access to hands-on practice materials, labs, quizzes, and assessments to learn how to utilize the skills and knowledge gained in the course and interact with some real-life programming tasks and situations. This course provides a dedicated, interactive online programming environment that allows JavaScript code to be run in an internet browser.
This 8-hour course covers fundamental concepts surrounding basic Linux commands and establishes basic knowledge in Linux, a valuable skill needed for in-demand IT careers. The curriculum also helps learners prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam through hands-on exercises on command line concepts using a Linux virtual machine.
This course helps new learners understand the basics of Linux and can prepare learners for the next Linux course – Linux Essentials.
This 70-hour course covers the fundamentals of the Linux operating system and its command line. The goal of this course is to provide learners with a starting point to the Linux operating system. Learners who complete this course will understand basic open source concepts, Linux as an operating system, how Linux is used and the basics of the Linux command line.
This course implements a “practice as you read” approach to learning. Learners have hands-on access to a Linux virtual machine to practice, explore and try out Linux command line concepts. They are also provided with step-by-step labs that help them build up their skills and knowledge.
Used by startups and tech giants like Google, Facebook, Netflix, and more, Python offers you endless possibilities for creating small and large-scale software projects. User-friendly with easy-to-read code, Python is a great first programming language to learn and requires no prior programming knowledge. Python skills open you up to careers in almost any industry and are required if you want to continue to more advanced, higher paying software development and engineering roles such as software engineer, systems administrator, and security engineer.
In this course, you will learn in-demand skills such as how to design, develop, and improve computer programs, methods for analyzing problems using programming, programming best practices, and more. The course also prepares you for the PCEP – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification (Exam PCEP-30-0x).
Developed in collaboration with OpenEDG Python Institute
This introductory course takes you inside the world of cybersecurity. You will learn cybersecurity basics to protect your personal digital life and gain insights into the biggest security challenges companies, governments, and education institutions face today. Cybersecurity professionals who can protect and defend and organization’s network are in high demand.
Cyber attacks increase with every digital connection made around the world. Learn how to protect and defend an organization and gain employable skills to start your cyber career.
This introductory course takes you inside the world of data science. You will learn the basics of data science, data analytics, and data engineering to understand how machine learning is shaping the future of business, healthcare, education, and more. Data science professionals who can provide actionable insights for data-driven decisions are in high demand all over the world.
This data analytics essentials course teaches you the fundamental tools of a data analyst. You will learn to transform, organize, and visualize data with spreadsheet tools such as Excel. You will also learn how to query data from a relational database using SQL and how to improve your data presentations using powerful business intelligence tools like Tableau. By the end of the course, you will have an analytics portfolio complete with an analysis of the popular movies dataset, showcasing your skills in Excel, SQL and Tableau.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a fast-growing area of technology, with new companies, products, and job opportunities springing up all over the world. Discover how IoT, along with emerging technologies such as data analytics and artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, are digitally transforming industries and expanding career opportunities. Invest in learning IoT skills and you can'transform any business in any industry, from manufacturing to environmental conservation. Today over 26 billion people, systems, and physical objects are connected and share data seamlessly over the Internet – and it’s rapidly changing our world. Learn the IoT skills you will need to land a well-paying job in this exciting field.
In today’s digital world, more and more devices are connecting to the network than ever before. A smart home, city, or grid can have hundreds of Internet of Things (IoT) devices! The possibilities are endless. In this course, use your Cisco Packet Tracer skills to make a smart home network. Learn how to add IoT devices to a home network and connect, configure, and monitor them. You will also become more familiar with IoT devices, including what they are, what they can do, and how they are programmed. You will even create your own IoT device and use it in your smart home network.
Practice networking skills from your own computer. In this course, you will create and explore a branch office network in Cisco Packet Tracer. The Getting Started with Packet Tracer course introduced you to a home office network. Now let’s try something a little more complex to expand your networking knowledge. This course shows you how to connect and configure devices in your network, including wireless devices, and how to verify their connectivity. You will learn about packets and how they travel across a network. Plus, get introduced to a network controller and why it is so powerful to monitor and manage the devices in your branch office network.
Networking technology powers the Internet. Networks make it possible for us to use social media, streaming services like Netflix, ride-hailing services like Uber, and much more. Put simply, networks are critical for every industry, which is why demand for networking skills keeps rising. A strong foundational knowledge of networks can lead to a successful career in IT.
This Networking Essentials course prepares you for the entry-level Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Network certification and entry-level roles such as Network Support Technician, Entry-level Help Desk Technician, or IT Support Specialist. You will learn how networks operate, including the devices, media, and protocols that enable network communication. Develop key skills so you can perform basic troubleshooting, using effective methodologies and help desk best practices
Meet our innovative network simulation and visualization tool, Cisco Packet Tracer. This virtual lab is an interactive way to practice networking, IoT, and cybersecurity – no hardware required! This course introduces you to the Cisco Packet Tracer simulation environment. Learn how to use Cisco Packet Tracer to visualize and simulate a network using everyday examples. Practice your skills with interactive virtual lab activities, and hone your problem-solving skills, too. Get valuable tips and best practices and gain confidence to use this powerful tool in later courses or for your own practice.
Enroll to download Cisco Packet Tracer for free and get started today!
What is the Inclusive Futures – Autism Employment Expo?
Toronto Public Library’s inaugural Autism Employment Expo is a half-day afternoon event that provides autistic job seekers with the opportunity to hear inspiring and informative presentations, to participate in skills-building workshops, and to meet employers, service providers and career coaches.
What is happening at the Autism Employment Expo?
The Autism Employment Expo takes place on Thursday, October 26, from 12-4pm at North York Central Library in the concourse event space.
It will include informative and inspiring talks and presentations featuring:
An exhibition space featuring:
Peer support groups led by Daniel Share-Strom and Erin Dekker on the following topics:
Why is TPL hosting an Autism Employment Expo?
The Autism Employment Expo was the winning idea submitted by TPL staff Tim Feller and Melanie LaFleche to the 2022 City Librarian’s Innovation Challenge, an annual callout for staff to submit ideas that address a specific challenge.
This staff idea supports TPL’s strategic priority to build pathways for workforce developments and it furthers TPL’s commitment to equity and inclusion by supporting autistic people and their needs around employment.
What makes TPL’s event unique to other employment events hosted for individuals with autism?
TPL is proud to join other organizations that have hosted employment events to support autistic individuals.
The library’s inaugural event will be smaller scale. In addition to providing opportunities for guests to connect with employers and service providers, there will be talks and workshops that provide both inspiration, information and skills building for guests.
How were individuals with autism and their lived experience involved in the planning of the event?
The planning team for TPL’s inaugural Autism Employment Expo conducted an environmental scan of other similar events and best practices and did one-on-one consultations with autistic adults and with service providers. One of the planning team staff members also identifies as autistic and has worked professionally with children, youth, and adults on the spectrum for 5 years.
The research and feedback from the environmental scan and consultations helped shape the content, format and user experience for the inaugural event.
How will the event experience support the needs of autistic people?
Using the research and feedback gathered from the environmental scan and consultations, the planning team have carefully considered the user experience for event guests.
Prior to the event, registered attendees will receive a pre-event communication package including:
On the day of the event, there will be:
Did you know: many popular technologies were invented thanks to people with disabilities?
To mark the 11th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 19, 2022), I'd like to share a few books that highlight how disability drives innovation.
The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World by Al Etmanski.
A little book of everyday wisdom for living a good life, drawn from the lives of people with disabilities. This book shows how people with disabilities have shaped our world thanks to five powerful disability advantages: the power of majority, inclusivity, ingenuity, authenticity, and unity. It’s full of bite-sized profiles and fun facts. For example, reading this book, I learned that the first bicycle was a wheelchair! In 1655, a German watchmaker named Stephan Farffler invented a three-wheeled hand-cranked carriage. It is believed he had either a spinal cord injury or had his legs amputated. His invention was the first self-propelled wheelchair and the precursor to the tricycle and bicycle.
The Blind Contessa’s New Machine by Carey Wallace
A dreamy fictional love story based on the true story of Pellegrino Turri, an Italian nobleman and mechanic, and his friend, or possibly lover, the Countess Fantoni de Fivizzano. Turri is credited with inventing the first typewriter in the early 1800s so he and the Countess could write each other letters. Typing out these words on my computer keyboard, I’m struck by the huge impact the invention of the typewriter has had on how we communicate to this day.
The Untold Story of the Talking Book by Matthew Rubery
A fascinating history of the audiobook for bibliophiles and accessibility advocates alike. Before the audiobook as we know it today existed, there were Talking Books for the Blind. These were the first recordings of full-length books, made in the 1930s on vinyl records, to meet the needs of blinded veterans of the First World War. At first, Helen Keller objected to Talking Books because she believed they would decrease braille literacy. But later she championed them to the Library of Congress. Talking Books are still created today, by organizations like the American Foundation for the Blind and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) here in Canada. Toronto Public Library’s accessible collections include Talking Books and CELA for library members with print disabilities. Oh and we have conventional CD and digital audiobooks too!
Leaders in Computing: Changing the Digital World by Steve Wozniak
Vinton Cerf is a key figure in the invention of many recent technologies. He is best known as one of the architects of the internet in the 1970s. In those early days, Cerf, who has a hearing disability, and his wife, who is deaf, communicated through the computer using text – a precursor to email. In an interview in this book, Cerf talks about how there are many types of disability – physical, cognitive, visual, hearing, motor – and about the importance of re-examining design systems and tools to make sure that information is fully accessible to all.
Making Disability Modern edited by Bess Williamson and Elizabeth Guffey
A collection of critical cultural histories that connects disability studies and design. This book examines how the design of everyday objects and spaces shapes society, impacts the social experiences of people with disabilities and influences the ways we think about disability and ability. One example from the book is the Swany Walking Bag from Japan. Created by Etsuo Miyoshia, who contracted polio as an infant, the bag functions like a rolling cane but looks like a suitcase. Two years after it was introduced in the United States, the American luggage company Samsonite introduced its four-wheel “spinner” luggage – with similar wheels and ease of use. Just one example of how people with disabilities have been, and continue to be, drivers of technological innovation.
February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science , celebrated worldwide since 2015. The day recognizes the vital role that women and girls play in science and technology. It highlights the importance of achieving full and equal access to, and participation, in science. Internationally, women continue to be under-represented in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) despite the tremendous progress that has been made in recent years.
According to the 2020 Canadian HR Benchmark report, women make up only 30% of tech positions. In emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, women make up only 22% of professionals globally.
A report by PwC, Women in Innovation, notes that only 13% of executive positions in Canadian tech companies are women and only 5 % of Canadian tech companies have a solo female CEO.
Clearly, there is still work to be done!
If you're interested in learning more, please see the related resources below.
Female Innovators at Work: Women on Top of Tech
Geek Girl Rising: Inside the Sisterhood Shaking up Tech
The Future of Tech is Female: How to Achieve Gender Diversity
Women in Tech: Take your Career to the Next Level with Practical Advice and Inspiring Stories
These are online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. The course descriptions are taken from LinkedIn Learning.
Learning Path: Women Transforming Tech: Navigating Your Career
"Whether you're entering tech as a new grad or pivoting from another industry, Women Transforming Tech provides practical advice for how to navigate your career as a woman in tech." This learning path consists of six courses.
Learning Path: Starting Your Career in Tech: Software Development
"Looking to begin your career in software development? In this learning path, gather foundational knowledge—from tips for your tech resume to strategies for rocking your LinkedIn profile—to start your professional journey in software development." This learning path consists of six courses.
Learning Path: Starting Your Career in Tech: Data Science
"Looking to advance your career in data science? In this learning path, gather foundational knowledge—from nontechnical skills to career path strategies—to continue your professional journey in data science." This learning path consists of nine courses.
These introductory online courses from Cisco Networking Academy are free, interactive, and self-paced. These courses will introduce you to important technology concepts and help you develop the skills necessary to participate in the modern workforce.
If you are interested in taking these courses with other learners and our staff facilitators, check out the Let’s Learn Tech learning circles.
O'Reilly Learning offers the latest books and videos from major technology and business publishers. Covers many technology-related topics including web and software development, graphic design and more!
Instructor-led online courses on a variety of topics, including many technology related topics.
In recent years the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in government, business and greater civil society has grown. As AI use has become widespread it has created some deep ethical oversights. Left unchecked and without proper controls, AI and automated systems can perpetrate racial, gender, and other forms of bias that should concern everyone.
To address these issues, TPL partnered with MIT libraries for the program Eye on AI: Decoding the Bias. The program premiered on Tuesday, January 25. If you missed it, you can watch the full recording on Crowdcast.
The discussion centered on Shalini Kantayya's 2020 documentary Coded Bias. The documentary tells the story of Joy Buolamwini, a Black American who finds out that a facial recognition program recognizes her face only with a white mask on. This spurs her to investigate how AI algorithms affect minorities. The documentary interweaves stories of racial and gender minorities harmed by AI. These include wrongful racial profiling by facial recognition systems, assignment of higher reoffending scores to minorities, exclusion of healthcare coverage, and discriminatory applicant tracking systems in jobs and education.
Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble
The program featured a thoughtful discussion of the documentary Coded Bias. Speakers were:
Some major takeaways were actionable proposals to hold both corporations and governments accountable. These include interventions in the classroom to educate students across education levels, as well as, interventions in design space to ensure corporate actors, designers and engineers create systems that don't perpetuate inequality. And also, legal interventions to hold states accountable. A positive consequence of this activism recently led to the ban on government use of facial recognition in the US.
AI Ethics by Mark Coeckelbergh
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence edited by Matthew Liao
Here are some videos on algorithmic bias and the fundamentals of ethics in AI. You will need a library card to watch them.
If you have thoughts or experiences to share please leave a comment below.
December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities and is celebrated annually around the world since 1992. The aim of this day is to "promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities." This year's theme is "leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world."
This is a great day to learn about and celebrate inclusive design! Inclusive design can be defined as "design that considers the full range of human diversity with respect to ability, language, culture, gender, age and other forms of human difference" without the need for specialized adaptations.
OCAD University is home to the Inclusive Design Research Centre. They have developed an Inclusive Design Guide which identifies the "three dimensions" of Inclusive Design:"
Microsoft has developed a toolkit on inclusive design. They identify the following inclusive design principles:
If you'd like to learn more about inclusive design, check out the following library resources. To access, you will need a current Toronto Public Library card. You can also use them with our Digital Access card.
Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design
Inclusive Design for a Digital World
Tragic Design: the Impact of Bad Design and How to Fix it
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Course descriptions are all from LinkedIn Learning.
Universal Principles of Design: "Design is full of unspoken rules and obscure theories that, when applied, can dramatically improve one's own design. For the first time, we are documenting them all in one place. "
UX Foundations: Accessibility: "Learn how to incorporate accessibility into your design process and make your next web project more accessible to all people, including those with disabilities."
Digital Accessibility for the Modern Workplace: "Technology affects nearly all modern workers. Explore the digital tools and best practices you can use to create a more accessible, inclusive workplace."
UI/UX design: "This course introduces students to and provides a basic foundation in UI/UX design, including competitive research, designing effective user experience, applying design aesthetics, testing for accessibility, creating professional prototypes, and summary reports and design proposals."
Designing Effective Websites: "Regardless of your current skills or level of knowledge, in this course you'll master the basics of web design and learn how to build sites that are better and more effective. You'll examine the tension between form and function, explore the six major states of the website development process, and learn the basics of user-centered design."
Throughout the pandemic, technology has been our lifeline in staying connected to the outside world. Technology has helped us stay connected to family and friends, stay up to date with current events, perform our jobs remotely and help ease our boredom. Many of us have become glued to our screens to socialize, shop, stream videos and of course to partake in 'doomsday' scrolling for pandemic-related updates. According to WebMD, constantly being connected can a toll on our quality of life and negatively affect our mental and physical health. Maybe it's time for us to take a digital detox!
According to the Oxford Dictionary, 'digital detox' is defined as "a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world."
It might seem odd to be discussing digital detox on an online platform - particularly an innovation blog- but this may be the audience who needs it the most!
There are many reasons to do a digital detox (or a partial digital detox), including:
While it isn't feasible – or desirable- to completely eliminate our screen time, any step in the right direction can help reduce the negative impacts of screen time.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Want to learn more? Here are some (analog) sources to get you started!
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport
Deviced! Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World by Doreen Dodgen-Magee
Unsubscribe: How to Kill Email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions, and Get Real Work Done By Jocelyn K. Glei
The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World by Adam Gazzaley
Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter
The Art of Screen Time: How your Family can Balance Digital Media and Real Life by Anya Kamenetz
How to Break Up with your Phone: the 30-day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price
And if you still have some screen time to spare, check out the recording from an excellent program on Digital Detox that was recently hosted by TPL.
If you're interested in learning more about ASMR, here are a few resources you can access for free with your library card:
Idiot’s Guides: ASMR by Julie Young
Unwind Your Mind: The life-changing power of ASMR by Emma WhispersRed
Brain Tingles: The secret to triggering Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response for improved sleep, stress relief, and head-to-toe euphoria by Richard Craig
We also have some ASMR audio so you can check it out for yourself:
ASMR for your commute: Quiet your mind in a busy world by Emma WhisperRed
ASMR for your bedtime: Quiet your mind in a busy world by Emma WhisperRed
Artificial intelligence (AI) impacts nearly all aspects of our lives. From facial recognition to autocorrect to Google Maps, AI has become a part of our everyday. While AI has the potential to enhance our lives in many ways, a number of ethical concerns have been raised about its uses. Some of the concerns involve bias and discrimination, unequal distribution of wealth, privacy and surveillance, the disappearance of jobs, and how to maintain control over complex and intelligent systems. The Partnership on AI (full name: Partnership on Artificial Intelligence to Benefit People and Society) was founded in 2016 by Amazon, Facebook, Google, DeepMind, Microsoft, and IBM (Apple joined in 2017). This non-profit coalition aims to research, publish and develop best practices for the ethical use of AI. Their Resource Library contains “collected papers, resources, and other outputs” that explore ethical issues and AI. On its website, UNESCO outlines a number of examples of ethical issues and AI that include: biased AI, concerns about autonomous vehicles, how to credit art created by AI, and the use of AI in judicial systems.
Toronto Public Library has a number of resources to help you better understand the ethical issues and AI. Check out the resources below to learn more!
97 things about ethics everyone in data science should know: collective wisdom from the experts
The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values
Responsible Data Science: Transparency and Fairness in Algorithms
Human + machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI
Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
For all of these resources, you will need a current Toronto Public Library card. You can also use them with our Digital Access card.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Follow the links below to these courses. Course descriptions are all from LinkedIn Learning.
Introduction to Responsible AI Algorithm Design
"What does it mean to design responsible AI algorithms? Instructor Martin Kemka introduces important basics, like defining AI and knowing what it means to be responsible in developing them. Learn how algorithms are deployed and how you can'track their use and abuse. Martin also explains the risks of being irresponsible with AI."
"Massive computing power, research, and open-source code have made artificial intelligence (AI) accessible to everyone. But with great power comes great responsibility. As more businesses incorporate AI into their strategies, it’s critical for executives and analysts alike to ensure AI isn't being deployed for harmful purposes."
These are online, instructor-led courses with specific start dates. Learn more about Gale Courses. Course descriptions below are all from Gale Courses.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
"For decades, artificial intelligence (AI) has been a staple of science fiction stories, but thanks to modern advances in computational capacity and storage capabilities, it's becoming a reality. Today, there are examples of artificial intelligence all around us. The purpose of this course is to provide you with an artificial intelligence practical knowledge foundation."
Introduction to Machine Learning
"The Introduction to Machine Learning course will allow you to learn about specific techniques used in supervised, unsupervised, and semi-supervised learning, including which applications each type of machine learning is best suited for and the type of training data each requires."
"Written in 2018 by Mimi Onuoha and Mother Cyborg (Diana Nucera), A People’s Guide to AI is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to understanding AI and other data-driven tech. The guide uses a popular education approach to explore and explain AI-based technologies so that everyone—from youth to seniors, and from non-techies to experts—has the chance to think critically about the kinds of futures automated technologies can bring."
Join Keith McDonald (educator and founder of literacyAI) in a program series of keithCHATS – touching on what people (non-technical persons especially) need to know about AI:
Naturally, we love to celebrate and share our success stories and we shy away from discussing our failures. However, failure is an inevitable part of life and the learnings that come out of failure are often more valuable than the success itself. Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda once said that "success is 99% failure."
Without the freedom to try new things and fail, innovation isn’t possible. An article in Forbes magazine entitled "Creating An Innovation Culture: Accepting Failure is Necessary" states:
"Failure is a necessary part of the innovation process because from failure comes learning, iteration, adaptation, and the building of new conceptual and physical models through an iterative learning process. Almost all innovations are the result of prior learning from failures."
This is why it is so important for organizations to create a culture where people are free to experiment, fail and learn from their mistakes. Viewing our failures through a positive lens helps us to learn and grow from our experiences and ultimately be more successful.
The Toronto Public Library has some excellent resources if you’re interested in learning more about learning from failure.
Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure
Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
Fail Fast, Fail Often: How Losing Can Help You Win
Fail More: Embrace, Learn, and Adapt to Failure As a Way to Success
For all of these resources, you will need a current Toronto Public Library card. You can also use them with our Digital Access card.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. To follow the links below to these courses. Course descriptions are all from LinkedIn Learning.
"Failure and fault are not necessarily the same thing, yet many of us are raised to believe that if we fail, we have done something wrong. In fact, failure is a normal and necessary part of life. In this course, coach Todd Dewett explains the psychology of failure, the difference between good failure (thoughtful experimentation) and bad failure (reckless negligence), and why all failure is an opportunity to learn."
Creating Success from Failures
"Most people cringe at failure and avoid it whenever possible. Failing isn’t pleasant, but it isn’t fatal. In this course, executive coach Audrey Genevieve Daniels draws on her long experience leading organizations through disruptive change to help you to evolve from past failures and move past adversity stronger than before. Audrey shares actionable insights that help you not just to own your failures, but to thrive because of them."
In addition to eBooks, O'Reilley for Public Libraries also offers streaming video courses on technology and business topics. You will need to log in using your TPL card to access this video.
"Discover why preparing for failure can produce stronger, more resilient systems."
Online collection of business, management, biomedical and life sciences lectures, case studies and case study interviews by leading experts in academia, industry and commerce. You will need to log in using your TPL card to access this video.
Innovation: Living with Risk and Embracing Failure
"This case study looks at 3M as an example of a company that accomplished great innovation by allowing its team to take risks without fear of the consequences of failure."
For people with disabilities, assistive technology and devices are both ordinary and life-changing.
The World Health Organization defines assistive technology and devices (AT) as "those whose primary purpose is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall well-being." This can include wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthesis, computer software and much more.
Low tech or high tech, the defining feature of AT is that it helps rather than hinders the person using it. Phrases like "confined to a wheelchair" imply that assistive devices interfere with a person's life or hold them back in some way. A lot of people with disabilities will tell you that the opposite is true. Assistive devices open up opportunities rather than closing them off. They are tools that help us move through the world.
This blog post is about assistive technology. But it won't focus on the types of tech that are available or which devices are used for which disabilities. This post is about how people with disabilities interact with and relate to AT. It's about how we embrace and celebrate these devices by accessorizing our canes, naming our wheelchairs or choosing brightly coloured hearing aids. The books I have selected for this post feature people with disabilities talking about the tech and devices that are a part of their daily lives and experiences.
A note on language: Though Toronto Public Library uses people-first language ("people with disabilities") when writing about disability, in this post I frequently use identity-first language ("disabled people") in deference to the authors' preference.
A person's perspective on the assistive devices they use is very specific to that individual. For some people, they are medical devices and are simply tools that address a specific need. For others, the devices are like an extension of their body and become a core part of that person's identity.
Even determining what is considered an assistive device can vary. My own disability causes debilitating levels of fatigue. As that condition worsens, everyday conveniences have taken on a new meaning for me. There may come a time when I will use more recognizable assistive devices, like a motorized wheelchair. For now, an electric toothbrush and a shower stool are the types of tools that make it possible for me to go about my day more comfortably. Even a dishwasher is now a necessity because prolonged standing and arm movements require more energy than I have most days. I once thought of a dishwasher as a luxury; I now think of it as an assistive device.
Falling for Myself by Dorothy Ellen Palmer
Dorothy Ellen Palmer was born in the 1950s, a time when her congenital anomalies were described as birth defects. She has a limb difference in both her feet and so, like her book title suggests, she falls down a lot. In her hilariously honest memoir, Palmer is done apologizing for this. I picked this book not only for Palmer's uncompromising attitude, but also because of the way that she talks about her feet and her crutches. Hint: they all have names!
Strangers Assume my Girlfriend is my Nurse by Shane Burcaw
Shane Burcaw is hilarious. He runs a not-for-profit organization that teaches children about respect and kindness, and provides adaptive equipment to people with disabilities. It's all very serious and important so, naturally, Shane called the organization Laughing At My Nightmare. It's also the title of his first book. In his second book, Strangers Assume my Girlfriend is my Nurse, Shane brings his trademark humor to a series of essays about the realities of living with spinal muscular atrophy. And yes, people do think his girlfriend is his nurse (Update: since the book was published, Hannah is now his wife!)
Disability Visibility : First-person stories from the twenty-first century edited by Alice Wong
This collection of essays, edited by disability activist Alice Wong, is important and I recommend it every chance I get. It is filled with the stories and opinions of so many disabled people. So many different disabilities, different experiences, different writing styles, different emotions. Not all of the essays mention assistive technology but there are a few really great ones that discuss it prominently, like Wanda Díaz-Merced's "How a blind astronomer found a way to hear the stars." If you liked this book, I also recommend About Us and From the Periphery.
Being Heumann : An unrepentant memoir of a disability rights activist by Judith Heumann
Not everyone can say that their actions have improved the lives of millions of people, but Judy Heumann can. As a lifelong wheelchair user and a lifelong activist, Judy's advocacy work has had a significant impact on disabled people in the United States and around the world. She was one of over 150 disabled activists and allies who staged a sit-in at US Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1977. Their protest directly led to increased protections for disabled people and the development of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Most recently, Judy was seen on the red carpet at the 2021 Academy Awards, representing her Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary Crip Camp.
Some people who are Deaf or hard of hearing use assistive devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. For other people, communicating through spoken or written words is difficult or not possible. Instead, they might use augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) methods, such as text-to-speech software that reads aloud the words the person types either by hand or using eye movement tracking equipment. AAC methods aren't always high-tech either. Some users prefer a low tech version, such as a display board of letters, numbers, and basic symbols that they can point to.
Typed Words, Loud Voices edited by Amy Sequenzia and Elizabeth J. Grace
I was really excited when I came across this anthology. It is a collection of essays written by autistic and neurodivergent people, as well others who are most comfortable communicating by typing rather than speaking aloud. Some didn't begin typing to communicate until adulthood and describe the joy in discovering a new ease to communicating. Other, younger contributors discuss being able to explore and develop their identities through participating in online communities and advocacy networks. The common thread throughout is that typing creates ways and opportunities to communicate that the contributors would not have if denied access to this assistive tech.
If a Tree Falls in the Forest…: Life on the border between the deaf and hearing worlds by Janelle Riedstra
In a series of short essays and anecdotes, Canadian writer Janelle Riedstra humorously describes her life as a deaf* person. She talks about closed captioning devices in movie theatres, misadventures in lip reading, and the complicated decision to get a cochlear implant.
*Many D/deaf or hard of hearing people spell "deaf" with a capital letter "D" to reflect their participation and belonging in Deaf Culture. In this case, I have used a lower case "d" because Janelle Riedstra consistently does so throughout her book.
Hearing Happiness : Deafness cures in history by Jaipreet Virdi
Jaipreet Virdi is a Deaf activist and historian of science whose research focuses on medical inequalities and disability rights. In her first book, she documents the history of the social and medical crusade to "cure" deafness. Highlighting everything from ear trumpets to bloodletting, Virdi looks at the dangerous and ineffective methods that were inflicted upon Deaf and hard of hearing people during the 19th and early 20th century. All of which were done in the name of social conformity and masking a person's so-called "defect."
The last entry in this post might initially seem like an odd choice. It's the animated movie How to Train Your Dragon and, in my opinion, it's an important example of assistive technology representation in popular culture.
I like that the focus of the movie is on the humans' relationship with dragons, not on the importance of accepting difference and respecting people with disabilities. In their community, disability is commonplace. And it is not a tragedy. When Toothless the dragon loses a tail fin and cannot fly, Hiccup simply designs a prosthetic fin and together the boy and dragon learn to move through the world in a new way. There is both normalcy and humor in the movie's depiction of prostheses, especially the character Gobber who has multiple different accessories for his prosthetic hand, including one with a beer stein!
One of my favourite moments comes at the very end when (SPOILER ALERT!) our hero Hiccup wakes up after being injured in a battle. He discovers that he has been fitted with a prosthetic foot and comments that he "might make a few tweaks" to the prosthetic's design. It's such a fleeting moment in the film but an important one nonetheless. It's crucial to listen when disabled people talk about their assistive tech. We are experts in our accessibility needs but our control over our own assistive devices is limited by insurance providers, medical professionals, and even the manufacturers. With that one quick comment in the film, Hiccup reclaims control over his body and his mobility equipment.
The library has assistive technology and devices you can use in branches. There are assistive reading devices, such as hand-held magnifiers, page turners, and book stands. These may make it more comfortable to read print books if the type is too small, or if it’s difficult to turn the pages or hold them open. We have computers with large print keyboards, so it’s easier to see the keys, as well as large trackball computer mice, which require less fine motor control, and adaptive technology such as JAWS software, which reads digital content out loud.
For a full list and locations, please visit: Accessibility at Library Branches.
Digital literacy is a lifelong learning skill. It is important to know where you can get trusted information and how to protect your privacy. Building digital literacy skills creates a stronger community.
Toronto Public Library understands the importance of building digital literacy skills. Toronto Public Library's 2020-2024 strategic plan lists digital literacy as an area of focus.
In October 2019, the City of Toronto and 46 countries around the world signed a Cities for Digital Rights Declaration. The declaration is designed to protect, promote and upholds people’s digital rights. The coalition for Cities for Digital Rights developed five principles for cities to declare (PDF). It is important for cities to educate our communities to be in control of their data. Declared cities work together and build a smarter communities.
Recently, Toronto Public Library hosted an online Innovator in Residence program in the area of data privacy.
Lawyer and certified privacy professional Migan Megardichian, Innovator in Resident, delivered several programs. The goal of the residency is to educate us the in area of data privacy.
The Innovator in Residence program presented us with lots of useful information. Here are a few learning takeaways.
Privacy policies and laws are there to protect you when it comes to your personal data. It is important to know why your data is being collected. The following are a few resources to help you understand policies and how your personal data is protected.
A privacy breach is when someone steals, loses or collects your personal data without your full consent. These resources provide information on how a company can prevent a breach and what happens when a breach occurs.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), is computers or software that imitate human abilities. AI is a tool built to help us, but we have to be careful when machines are doing the work of a human.
The Innovator in Residence series offered a few programs in the area of AI. Participants learned how to always keep humans in the loop and also understand the consequences of AI. Here are a few takeaways from the Al programs.
More data privacy resources by trusted privacy information experts.
More resources from organizations that specialize in AI.
These reports also address machine learning and responsible AI.
If you're looking for more ways to learn, try the following Toronto Public Library resources. They are available to check out with your Toronto Public Library Card .
Also check out the following Toronto Public Library resources on responsible AI and digital privacy.
Human-In-the-Loop Machine Learning : Active Learning and Annotation for Human-Centered AI
A Practical Introduction to Human-In-The-Loop
200+ Way to Protect Your Privacy
Competing in the Age of AI: Strategy and Leadership when Algorithms and Networks Run the World
Privacy is Power: Why You Should Take Control of Your Data
Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence
Beginner and intermediate courses in the area of Digital Privacy and Algorithmic Literacy are available through LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com). You will need to log in using your valid Toronto Public Library card to access the videos listed below.
Data Ethics: Making Data Driven Decisions
This course is designed to walk you through making the right decisions when it comes to data, AI decisions and ethics when it comes to improving your business. The course is designed for beginners.
Implementing a Privacy, Risk and Assurance Program
A short beginner video that outlines what privacy is, how to change a company's culture when it comes to privacy.
Working from home has presented lots of security questions, this short beginner level video will go over how to protect your home office.
Smarter Cities: Using Data to Drive Urban Innovation
This course will guide you through what is a smart city, how data works, examples of smart cities, what is Internet of Things (IoT).
This June, the Library’s Innovation Council presents a three-part series of online programs that explores the theme of what it means to return to a place.
TPL’s Innovation Council is an advisory group of recognized leading individuals from the academic, creative, and technology communities.
Grab your lunch and get inspired with these online programs, happening between 12-1 pm on June 9, 14 and 22.
Wednesday, June 9 12:00-1:00 pm
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge us, over the course of 2021 there is real hope that we’ll begin the process of returning to a more open, social, public life in-person. We have an important opportunity now to think creatively, inclusively and intentionally about what it means for us to return well. How do we want to be together in our post-COVID lives? What kinds of deliberate efforts can we make now so that as we return to a more public life, we are active about being more inclusive, equitable and sustainable in our community investment and engagement efforts?
TPL Innovation Council member, Pamela Robinson (Director, School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ryerson University).
Adriana Beemans, Director, Inclusive Local Economies Program, Metcalf Foundation
Daniel Fusca, Manager, Public Consultation for Parks, Forestry & Recreation, City of Toronto
Monday, June 14, 12:00-1:00 pm
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with museums, stages and studios closing there was a rush to move any and all manner of experiences online. In the culture sector experiments in digital dematerialization were heralded as breakthroughs. But this narrative excludes vast sectors of creative work and experience where it is not ideal or possible to move entirely online. In response, often out of necessity, sometimes out of creative opportunity, some explored a world between worlds, a hybrid future where the physical and digital exist together, not as binary opposites but complementary partners. This panel will explore individuals who are actively navigating this tension in exhibition, practice and writing.
TPL Innovation Council member, Jeremy Bailey (Artist and Head of Experience, FreshBooks)
Anika Meier, Writer and Curator
Alda Escareno, Artist, Designer and Instructor at OCAD university
David Maggs, Metcalf Innovation Fellow, Senior Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies in Sustainability, Potsdam, Artistic Director, Gros Morne Summer Music
Tuesday, June 22, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m
What does it mean to come back to a place?
Lessons from our experiences in the virtual world.
In response to our changing contexts, the opportunities to connect and engage virtually have expanded. In many cases, virtual has meant that accessibility is increased for many individuals who may have otherwise experienced barriers. In this discussion, Bramble Co-Founder, Salimah Ebrahim, will discuss the opportunities that the virtual world has opened up, and what elements can continue to serve us in a post-pandemic world. She will be joined by Adam Roy Cohoon, who will speak to accessibility dynamics that have shifted as a result of leveraging online platforms. Participants will have the opportunity to experience the member platform after the 30 minute panel discussion.
TPL Innovation Council member, Zahra Ebrahim (City Builder and Organizer)
Salimah Ebrahim, Co-Founder of Bramble and Artery
Adam Roy Cohoon, Artist, access advocate and tech tester.
May 20, 2021 is the tenth annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). This is a great day to think about digital inclusion.
Approximately 1 billion people worldwide have disabilities. Despite the numbers, web designers don't always consider their needs. Removing barriers to technology enables people. As Apple CEO Tim Cook says, accessibility democratizes technology.
Digital accessibility is particularly important in 2021. Many people with disabilities have increased risk of infection and complications from COVID-19. Accessible technology enables people with disabilities to work and socialize safely from home.
In 2020, accessibility group WebAIM studied 1 million websites and found fewer than 2% were fully accessible. They also found an average of 60.2 accessibility errors per site. It doesn't have to be this way. Haben Girma is the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. In her popular book, Girma says that disability is part of the human experience, and that “inclusion is a choice.”
Accessible technology creates a better experience for everyone. Even people without disabilities use accessibility features. A perfect example of this is smart home automation. Some people with disabilities use automation to maintain their independence. Others simply enjoy its conveniences.
Here are just a few ways that designers can create more inclusive websites.
Did you know that ebook readers can enable dyslexic font in OverDrive? Or adjust reading settings to increase font size or change contrast? Check out this blog post to learn about accessible reading options with Toronto Public Library's digital resources.
Learn how to turn on captioning in the library’s streaming services including Kanopy, Hoopla, and others.
See what assistive technology is available at Toronto Public Library branches (pending Provincial regulations regarding access to the branches).
Also be sure to read about the library's other accessible collections.
Accessibility should be integrated into all stages of web design. If you are a creator of online content, this Global Accessibility Awareness Day we encourage you to think about making your website more accessible. Here are a few resources to assist you.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly called Lynda.com) offers a number of courses on accessibility, including a 2-hour course called Accessibility for Web Design. Courses are free to anyone with a valid Toronto Public Library card or Digital Access Card.
Inclusive Design for a Digital World (ebook)
Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design
Practical Web Inclusion and Accessibility (ebook)
These third-party websites contain excellent information and resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on Canadian society. How will it affect the labour market and what does it mean for future skills demand?
Recently, The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship (BII+E) released a report, Yesterday’s Gone: Exploring the future of Canada’s labour market in a post-COVID world. This report examines the trends that are expected to impact the future of work. Many of these trends have been "accelerated, disrupted, or created by COVID-19." A previous blog post examines BII+E's earlier research findings from the Employment in 2030 project.
Yesterday's Gone identifies 8 "mega trends" as well as 34 "meso trends" that are expected to have the greatest impact. The "mega-trends" directly related to technology include permanent remote work and the impact of digital leisure. The growth of digital leisure could result in widespread gamification of work, education and retail. This could have a significant impact on skills demand. It could also see an increased demand for skills related to Extended Reality (XR).
The report also examines:
Another series of reports recently published by BII+E, looks at how Canadian Businesses have adapted to the pandemic. These reports examine how remote work, online sales and tech adoption have impacted the labour market and skills demand. These reports are based on the findings of Statistic Canada's Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC).
The skills identified as being most in demand include:
There is also an increased demand for complementary soft skills such as:
The Toronto Public Library and the The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship recently hosted a virtual event, Crisis and Opportunity: Tech Adoption and Future Skills Demand. This event explored the key findings of these reports.
Are you interested in learning more about the trends identified above?
The Toronto Public Library has you covered!
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about LinkedIn for Library.
To follow the links below to these courses, you will be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from LinkedIn for Library.
Introduction to Responsible AI Algorithm Design
"Walk through the steps involved in designing responsible AI and to making responsible decisions. Along the way, check your learning with included challenge and solution sets."
AI Accountability Essential Training
"Learn why it's absolutely crucial for AI-related data science work to be transparen't, explainable, accountable and ethical in its design and execution."
Mixed Reality Development Fundamentals
"Learn how to develop immersive mixed reality applications using Unity."
"Learn the basics of SQL, the programming language for retrieving and editing data from databases such as SQL Server MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL."
Become a Software Developer (Learning Path)
"Get an introduction to the programming skills needed for a career as a software developer. This learning path provides a broad perspective on core technologies for web development, software development, and databases. It introduces common tools and the bigger picture of how development careers work."
Become a Java Programmer (Learning Path)
Java is the core language for Android and many enterprise web applications. Begin your path toward becoming a professional developer by building a solid foundation in the Java language.
"Learn how to assess your organization's readiness for change and apply a powerful, step-by-step approach to help employees make changes that stick."
Along with streaming ebooks, O'Reilly Learning (Formerly Safari Tech & Business Books Online) offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about O'Reilly Learning. To follow the links below to these courses, you will be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are taken from Safari.
Extended Reality (XR) – Building AR
"The mixed reality market is full of opportunities but finding developers with these skills is a challenge since the industry is still embryonic. If you want to successfully enter the industry, this is the right time to join the AR and VR movement. This course is your chance to benefit from this opportunity by working with these technologies and transforming the way we see and interact with the World. Extended Reality is an umbrella term used for AR, VR, and MR. This course gives you exposure to the Extended Reality world and helps you understand the subtle difference between Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality."
Immersive Office 365: Bringing Mixed Reality and HoloLens into the Digital Workplace
Bring mixed reality into your office workplace by building immersive experiences using data and content from your Office 365 platform. Imagine being able to sit at your desk and surround yourself with a 3D chart showing your work relationships as mined from your relationships with others based on how you collaborate together.
Data Analysis Fundamentals with Excel
This video course takes you-the business user, business analyst, or data analyst-through an end-to-end solution for collecting, cleaning, importing, managing, and sharing data for operational and reporting purposes using Excel.
Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI
Confident Data Skills: How to Work with Data and Futureproof your Career
Creativity, Inc: Overcoming the Unseen Forces that Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
Open data has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. In fact, you may have come across other terms with the prefix open, such as open source, open access, open knowledge, open education, and open science, to name a few. Are they all connected?
Open Knowledge Foundation defines "open knowledge" as any content, information or data that people are free to use, re-use, and redistribute – without any legal, technological or social restriction. This is a good working definition that applies, more or less, to all of the open movements.
But where did it all begin? This is difficult to pinpoint, because each open movement emerged from its own specific context. In a sense, the underpinning values of these movements are founded on values of intellectual freedom, democracy and universal rights. However, if we were to pick a first, this would be the open source movement.
Open source emerged from the ambiguity of whether computer software should be protected by copyright law. In the early stages of computing, most computer languages and programs were built in academic institutions like universities. When computing became more mainstream, companies needed copyright to incentivize profit. At the same time, the values of collaboration fostered in academic institutions persisted and those who believed in them sought to promote a more open culture. This led to the creation of the free software movement in the 1980s that ran parallel to the for-profit software boom as a result of the rise of personal computing.
Today, the movement has spawned many similar such movements, such as:
The open movement is a growing and thriving network of organizations that promote sharing, collaboration and free access to resources.
Why does this matter? Well, these open movements provide us with tools to unleash our creativity, expand our knowledge, and participate fully in the culture that surrounds us.
Below you’ll find links to a variety of open initiatives, from open data in our governmental institutions, to open science, open genomes and open software.
Open data is, in a way, the catch-all phrase for open movements. It mandates the idea that some data should be available to everyone to access, use and modify for different purposes. The rise of open data is both a byproduct of the world wide web and the importance of intellectual property rights. Open data is prevalent within and accessible from public institutions. Other sources include non-profits and organizations that promote open science.
Open access refers to a set of principles and research practices through which research is distributed online free of charge and other access barriers. Open access research and scholarly work are often distributed under a free license. A free license is a license agreement that confers rights on individuals to reuse, redistribute and improve the work.
The open source movement is a growing network of organizations and initiatives that promote freely accessible, usable and modifiable code and software.
Here are two great resources to get started with open source projects:
Open education refers to educational resources and programs that eschew academic requirements of admission. As such, they broaden access to learning and training behind the barrier of education systems. Open content, on the other hand, refers to any creative work, work of art, or functional work that is free to access, use, study and modify. Open education and content resources are often found online through various initiatives and networks like the ones below:
Like the other open movements, open science seeks to make scientific research accessible to all, for both professional and amateur consumption and use. The open science movement is developed and shared through a variety of collaborative networks.
Some open science initiatives include:
The sequencing of the human genome, a feat accomplished by the Human Genome Project in 2003, formed a landmark case of collaborative science. It mapped and identified more than 3 billion genes in the human genome from a selected sample. But the promise of the human genome project cannot be complete without greater sharing of larger samples of genomic, phenotypic and medical data. The projects below make participation and access to genomic data possible:
The Human Connectome Project, launched in 2009, aims to build a network map of functional and anatomical activity of the human brain through brain neuroimaging. The body of data is open to all researchers and seeks, among other things, to facilitate research into brain disorders and diseases.
Our eLearning resources are a great way to get started with open data and open source software. You can access all our eLearning databases with a valid library card or a Digital Access Card.
O'Reilly Learning has immediately accessible ebooks and video tutorials from major tech and business publishers. Find below some resources on open data:
Lynda.com is a video tutorial platform with a great number of learning paths and stand alone videos to you started:
Open Data Structures: An Introduction by Pat Morin
Data Stewardship for Open Science by Barend Mons
Practical Free Alternatives to Commercial Software by Steve & Grace Oualline
OpenStack in Action by V.K. Cody Bumgardner
If you're interested in open data, be sure to check out our Innovator's in Residence's Open Data program on April 8. You may also be interested in a whole suite of programs on data privacy by our Innovator in Residence between March and April.
Any open projects you of know that you'd like to share? Please comment below.
Creative expression is what connects the heart to the body. Several studies have shown that embracing your creativity – through visual arts, music, writing, designing, or another way – can help relax the body and release dopamine. Dopamine is a natural anti-depressant.
Staying in tune with our creative selves can help individuals thrive and maintain sanity during challenging times.
Here are a variety of resources that embody the spirit of Toronto Public Library’s Digital Innovation Hubs. Check them out, as they can help you unlock your creativity in both traditional and technologically savvy ways.
Did you know that the Digital Innovation Hubs offers many live online classes that can help your unlock your creative potential? Past classes have included an introduction to Canva (graphic design platform) and photo editing with Raw Therapee (an open-source program where users can edit their personal photographs).
These programs help teach customers how to design and edit images. Learn how to make changes to personal photos, creative attractive social media posts, or make homework assignments more fun!
Check out the upcoming Digital Innovation Hubs Programs and Classes to discover a new skill and embrace your creativity.
There's always something artistic available with an educational spin to it.
Lynda offers several video tutorials led by experts in their field. You can access these resources from the comfort of your own home. Some of the courses include web design, photography, 3D Animation, fashion and graphic design. For example, did you know that Lynda offers tutorials on how to play a piano as well as how to write your very own songs? If you have a spare instrument lying around at home, we encourage you to check out these tutorials below. To follow the links below to these courses, you will be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from lynda.com.
Play Piano and Keyboards – Learning Path
If you've ever wanted to pick up the piano or keyboard as an instrument, this is the path for you! You begin with the basics of keyboard-based instruments and then expand your knowledge with courses in jazz improvisation and songwriting techniques.
Write a Song – Learning Path
Have you ever had a musical idea, melody, or great lyrical phrase bouncing around your head—but don't know what to do next? This learning path can help you take a great concept and build it out into a song. Learn tips and tricks from the pros to help make songwriting a part of your life and career.
Did you know that with a Toronto Public Library card you can access Hoopla? Hoopla is an application where you can borrow digital video, music and comics that can be streamed on your personal computer, smartphone or tablet. There are several of videos that can help walk you through your creativity in a step-by-step process. My personal favourite is the Bob Ross series.
For those who do not know, Bob Ross is an American painter that created a series of videos to help people learn painting techniques and colour theory. So if you have some spare paints and blank paper at home, we encourage you to give painting your feelings a try! Also, do not be shy to look up similar creative experts to see if we have them in our collection.
Toronto Public Library offers Medici.tv, which offers videos of classical music concerts, operas and ballets, music documentaries, and master classes by leading musicians. It's a great resource to use for background music while working on a creative project, too. Who doesn’t enjoy listening to great classical masterpieces while they are creating a masterpiece of their own?
Even if classical music is not your forte, Toronto Public Library also offers the Naxo Music Library which allows customers to listen to music of all different genres. Feel free to check them out. Music is a great catalyst to feel happy, inspired and motivated!
Books are also a great resource to learn and get creative. TPL has tons of books on of sewing, upcycling, cosplay making, prop building, jewelry making, repairing and crafting… just to name a few. Check out some of our book recommendations below and make something that you are proud of.
Epic Cosplay Costumes : a Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Sewing Your Own Costume designs
The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making
Upcycle with Sizzix: Techniques and Ideas for Using Sizzix Die-Cutting and Embossing Machines
Two Balls or Less: Over 30 Simply Stylish Knitting and Crochet Projects
There are many ways to celebrate your creativity, whether it's traditional or unconventional. I know when you think of Digital Innovation Hubs, you think of big, fancy expensive tech. But truth be told, the building blocks of anything innovative and creative is imagination. We hope you can enjoy these resources and happily connect with your inner creative.
Although in-branch services are unavailable right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toronto Public Library's Digital Innovation Hubs and Fabrication Studio provide access to technology, software and classes to help support creativity and innovation. Please check the COVID-19 information page for updates.
This blog post was written by Michelle Vasconcelos, Digital Design Technician Intern.
This is the third part of a three-part blog on the Internet of Things (IoT). In the first post, I introduced the Internet of things (IoT) as the expansion of digital devices communicating with each other and discussed the first main factor enabling this: the improvement of standards and protocols that network devices together.
In the second post, I discussed the second main factor: the improvement of sensors that convert environmental signals into data and major impacts on industry.
To conclude the series, this post will touch on the effects of the IoT on our personal lives and society at large. You'll find a slew of resources below to expand your knowledge of this topic. They range from the idea of the quantified self to the effects of automation and a reconfiguring economy.
How will you or I be different in an IoT world? More sensors and more integrated standards means more ways to generate data.
Each one of us will generate data by virtue of being in, and interacting with, smart environments. Think about your web activity or tablet and smart phone use. These generate data from clicks, login times, sessions and keyword searches. Some of that data gets shared to third-party apps. Similarly, apps for shopping activity, driving, your heart rate, etc. will also generate data.
What then happens to that data? To whom will it belong? Will it be traced to you? These questions raise concerns for personal privacy. They also raise concerns for the integrity of our identities.
In other words, when more of our activity is "datafied", it could have both positive and negative long-term consequences. Positive for safe driving and health monitoring, and perhaps negative for our privacy and freedom. The outcome is a matter of regulation and policy that will crystalize in due time.
Below are a series of resources that consider the self in digital culture including examinations of self-tracking culture:
The Triumph of Profiling The Self in Digital Culture by Andreas Bernard
The Quantified Self by Deborah Lupton
Self Tracking by Gina Neff & Dawn Nafus
Quantified Biosensing Technologies in Everyday Life by Dawn Nafus
Soon, our world will have more communicating smart devices than people. These devices will generate and process more data than people do. They’ll also carry out more functions. In a way, our world will become less human-centric.
When systems with complex sensors and consolidated standards become common within public goods, industry, and private homes, the place of human agency may transform in unpredictable ways. As a general rule, technological innovation has shifted human labour toward less routine tasks.
In some ways, these changes are not reflected across the global economy because of low-cost country sourcing. Low-cost sourcing is the transfer of production to countries with lower labour and production costs. But if present trends continue, greater automation will level the playing field globally. It will do so by squeezing human labour to more smaller compartments of production.
When smart systems are everywhere, we will be surrounded by infrastructure that surpasses our ability to process information by a large margin. Alongside this development, human cognitive augmentation is also a possibility. Companies like Neuralink have already set their long-term goals toward human enhancement. They are experimenting with inserting electrode threads in the brain.
Albeit far into the future, human enhancement could help catch us up to the smart environments enabled by IoT. Because smart environments are likely more imminent, humans will face an increasingly technological world and will cede a great deal of their decision-making to technology. When most functions are taken care of by the background technology, human purpose and meaning will perhaps seek refuge in far less "labour-oriented" activities such as creativity and innovation.
Find more resources on the social impacts of the looming IoT:
Automating Humanity by Joe Toscano
Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber
How to Be Human in the Digital Economy by Nicholas Agar
The Robots Are Coming! : The Future of Jobs in the Age of Automation by Andres Oppenheimer
Philosophical Posthumanism by Francesca Ferrando
Fashion is a form of art that can express one’s emotions, culture and history. Making clothes incorporates aspects of creativity and attention to detail. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are being used to augment the creativity of artists and designers within the fashion industry. From generating outfits, to pattern recognition of textiles, technology helps to turn a fashion designer’s imagination into a reality.
Technology was not always embraced by fashion designers. The term "Luddite" originates from a group of generational artisans that handmade clothes. These artisans were generational weavers and textile workers that were against using machines. Machines worked faster, produced larger quantities and were cheaper than artisans. As a result of a loss in clients, the Luddites rebelled by destroying machines. In modern day society, machines are the primary way of mass producing clothes.
Fast forward to British fashion designer, Alexander McQueen's spring 2010 collection, Plato's Atlantis. Plato's Atlantis was about humanity escaping to Atlantis after destroying the natural environment. McQueen was able to recreate the natural world in his garments with digital printing technology. In the Encyclopedia of Collections: Plato's Atlantis by the Museum of Savage Beauty, McQueen's garments were described as:
"Camouflage prints of roses, and jacquards depicting moths in green and brown tones, referenced life above the sea; amphibious snake prints suggested a transition to water; and designs in blues and purples incorporated images of ocean creatures, such as stringrays and jellyfish."
As printing technology advances, designers will be able to enhance colors, textiles and details in their garments.
As we can see, the intricate details and color in these garments are so captivating!
Another fashion designer that uses technology in their creations is Iris Van Herpen. Herpen's signature design style utilizes 3D printing and other technologies.
As our society becomes more technologically advanced, the fashion industry is also being directly impacted. AI is about getting the computer to perform tasks on their own. Machine Learning (ML) focuses on getting the computer to optimize processes. Computers can be trained to recognize faces in an image, categorize data and even recreate paintings with AI and ML. Artificial intelligence is now being used in the fashion industry as a tool for designers to generate outfits. Robbie Barrat is a generative artist who uses AI and ML to reconstruct Balenciaga outfits. This requires training the computer by curating input and output data on a network. Networks are a set of algorithms that recognize patterns. Eventually the computer will become smart enough to create its own Balenciaga aesthetic outfits.
AI is being used in the textile industry to scan for defects in fabrics and color check. These two tasks are strenuous and often inaccurate due to human error. With AI, the efficiency of manufacturing processes in textiles is being improved. Cognex Corp. has created a software that detects patterns in fabrics. Weaving, knitting, braiding and other patterns are examples of what this software can detect. This software utilizes computer vision to identify the defects. This requires training images of different weaving patterns, yarn properties and colours. Once the software knows the correct patterns and colors, it can scan for the mismatches using image processing. With the help of AI, textiles can accurately project the designer’s creations during manufacturing.
Trend forecasting is predicting fashion trends. This can include trends related to colours, fabrics, silhouettes, patterns and clothing. With AI, trends can be predicted through finding popular styles on the market from social media, in music videos and movies. This helps designers create their collections based on popular trends. AI is also being used within the supply chain and apparel manufacturing, to find the most efficient solutions in decision making.
Artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision are new forms of technology that can be used to bring designers imagination to reality.
If you're interested in learning more about how Artificial Intelligence is being used by the fashion industry, the Toronto Public Library has a number of resources to get you started!
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com.
To follow the links below to these courses and pathways, you will be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Thinking Machines
“This course will introduce you to some of the key concepts behind artificial intelligence, including the differences between "strong" and "weak" AI. You'll see how AI has created questions around what it means to be intelligent and how much trust we should put in machines.”
Artificial Intelligence Foundations: Machine Learning
In this course, we review the definition and types of machine learning: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement. Then you can see how to use popular algorithms such as decision trees, clustering, and regression analysis to see patterns in your massive data sets. Finally, you can learn about some of the pitfalls when starting out with machine learning.
Industry experts teach you the knowledge and skills to start your career. Learning Paths are curated collections of content regarding a larger topic, such as web design. Descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Master the fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning
"Do you know the difference between AI and machine learning? Do you know how they affect you, your career path, and the world around us? After taking the courses in this learning path, you'll have a mastery of the concepts and future directions of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. You'll be able to make more informed decisions and contributions in your work environment."
Advance Your Skills in AI and Machine Learning
"There's a lot to learn and to stay on top of in the rapidly expanding universe of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Use the range of courses in this learning path to augment your skills related to AI, ML, and data science by reviewing data analysis tasks and exploring top platforms."
Become a Machine Learning Specialist
"Are you ready to take a deeper dive into mastering the concepts and techniques involved in machine learning? This learning path shows how machine learning algorithms work and how to design them yourself."
Artificial Intelligence for Fashion
Optimizing Decision Making in the Apparel Supply Chain Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Fashion Design: a Guide to the Industry and the Creative Process
Practical fashion tech: wearable technologies for costuming, cosplay, and everyday
Although closed right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toronto Public Library's Digital Innovation Hubs and Fabrication Studio provide access to technology, software & classes to help support creativity and innovation. Please check the COVID-19 information page for updates.
This blog post was written by Alize De Matas, Digital Design Technician.
This is the second part of a three-part blog on the Internet of Things (IoT). In the last post, I introduced the Internet of things (IoT) as the expansion of digital devices communicating with each other. I discussed the first main factor enabling this: the improvement of standards and protocols that network devices together.
In this post you'll learn about the second main factor: the improvement and diversification of sensors that convert environmental signals into data. I will also discuss how the IoT is impacting industry. And highlight relevant resources in case you want to learn more or try out hands-on projects.
Standardized transmission protocols allow devices to communicate to each other. Sophisticated sensors then will increase their capabilities to extract information from their environments. Statista estimates that today there are around 13 billion connected digital devices. This number is on an exponential upward curve. But the world of things is much vaster than the world of connected devices. It spans ecologies, furniture, clothing and foodstuffs. Some have codified this distinction as between digital-first objects and physical-first objects. Digital-first objects include your computer and smartphone. Physical-first objects include everything else with no capabilities of gathering and transmitting information.
Now imagine more and more things manufactured as digital-first. From automated homes with smart appliances to autonomous cars. Imagine things that are intrinsically non-digital like food, trees and packaged goods equipped with sensors that absorb information. Then they send it to a computer that extracts meaningful patterns for human utility. This is the direction that industries, consumer goods, public works and our personal lives could be going.
The second part of the equation in the emergence of the internet of things then are sensors. These have the capacity to "datafy" parts of our environment. To "datafy" means to convert an environmental variable like temperature or traffic into data. Experts predict that they will come in handy for things that need rote human maintenance. They include tasks like inventorying, spoilage and repair tracking, health tracking, and temperature modulating. But what are sensors?
We are all familiar with mercury-in-glass thermometers. The mercury expands up the tube as the temperature increases. Or, home thermostats that convert heat levels into electrical energy to set heating or cooling to desired levels. In other words, sensors are mechanisms that detect a certain environmental input and convert it into information. The input could be temperature, motion, light, humidity, pressure and heartbeat. This information (usually digital) is meaningful either to a human or a machine.
As devices that transform an analog signal into a digital one, sensors have grown sophisticated. They can recognize human voices, biological and chemical processes, and even smell and taste. Your smartphone alone has a wealth of sensors:
But the predominant use of sensors will be in industry and institutions. Many organizations use motion sensors for security and statistical purposes. Soon enough occupancy sensors will track real-time space use to increase workplace efficiency. Industry uses an even wider array of sensors. They use them for purposes of asset tracking, production efficiency and increased automation. These include echolocation sensors for detection of object proximity. RFID tags for inventorying. Power monitoring sensors for energy efficiency. Pressure sensors for air hazards. And vibrations sensors to monitor machine functioning.
Now imagine sensors embedded in roadways, soil, plants or the ocean. These could monitor relevant variables for purposes of public safety and environmental health. Imagine also nanoscale biosensors for food analysis, glucose level monitoring, and cancer detection. You see where this is going. Sensors exponentially increase data points, and exacerbate the analysis of big data. Since humans can only consume a limited amount of information, the voluminous information generated will be circulated between smart devices before being packaged for human readability. In light of the above, the IoT promises increasingly smart environments generating information at rates that vastly exceed human capacities.
Sensor Projects with Raspberry Pi by Guillermo Guillen
MySQL for the Internet of Things: Data Management for Sensors and Connected Devices by Charles Bell
The effects of the IoT are already visible in industry and stand to transform production.
The industrial IoT is sometimes called industry 4.,0 following three critical periods of industrial transformation that preceded it. The industrial IoT is expected to usher in automated mining, highways, grid systems, automobiles, retail industry and homes to name a few.
What will be different about these systems? The use of sensors and standards will optimize production by increasing cost efficiencies. These include lower energy consumption, real-time error detection and optimized maintenance. One of the aspects of the industrial IoT is predictive maintenance of equipment. These are achieved through sensors and optimized data collection. Increased visibility of parts and equipment will streamline supply chains. But also reduce inefficiencies at the distribution level. Amazon, for example, leads in the industrial IoT through its cloud service Amazon Web Services.
On the consumer end, something like your car will be able to communicate directly with the manufacturer or dealer. This enables real-time monitoring and performance improvement of your vehicle. Because the IoT relies on the interconnection and integration of systems across industries, it also poses security risks worth considering.
But this unprecedented transformation of production also stands to create new jobs. These will be in design, assemblage and maintenance capacities to name a few. You can learn more about the Industrial IoT with Library resources in a variety of formats including physical books, ebooks and videos. For technical aspects check out Hands-on Industrial Internet of Things through O'Reilly Learning.
IoT Machine Learning Applications in Telecom, Energy, and Agriculture by Puneet Mathur
Beginning Data Science, IoT, and AI on Single Board Computers by Philip Meitiner
Design, Launch, and Scale IoT Services by Barry Haughian
Fast Forward Investing by Jon D. Markman
O'Reilly has a great array of resources from ebooks to videos accessible with a valid library card. You will be asked to sign in to review these resources.
Another great way to get started with the IoT are the free, interactive and self-paced let's learn tech courses offered through the TPL.
Please stay tuned for part three in this series. Part three will explore the effects of the IoT on broader society, consumers and personal identity. When the post is published, the link will be added to this section.
If you missed it, read part one: What is the Internet of Things?
Only a decade ago, the number of devices connected to the internet was less than 1/7th of the world's total population. Today, there are three times that many devices connected to the internet or to each other.
By and large, the now commonplace buzzphrase "the Internet of Things", IoT for short, points to this phenomenon, its scale and implications for industry and everyday life. In many ways, the IoT is an old idea made possible by exponential improvements and efficiencies in communication speeds, data quantities and processing.
Increasing the magnitude of information processing enables an environment with more communicating devices than people. According to International data Corp., machine-generated data in 2021 is approximately 40% of all generated data. Soon enough, human-generated data will account for only a fraction of all data. The effects of this shift stand to transform the way we live our lives and the world around us.
In this post you will learn the basics of what makes the internet of things possible. I'll also discuss conceivable effects of its adoption on industry and society.
Curious about the topic, and want to learn from an expert? Join us on Crowdcast on January 26, 2020 at 6 pm to learn about the basics of IoT with Professor Xavier Fernando of Ryerson University. Registration is free. The talk will cover topics like autonomous vehicles, 5G and smart homes, followed by an audience Q&A. If you miss the live event, a video replay will also be available.
The Internet of Things by Mercedes Bunz
This post is part one of a three-part series exploring the IoT. This first part is about protocols and what they mean for the IoT. The next parts will discuss topics like sensors, the Industrial IoT and its implications for broader society.
To understand where the Internet of Things is going, it is important to understand the many ways devices can communicate with each other and exchange information. For example, in order for your computer to connect to the internet, it must first connect to a local area network through a router and a modem. Sometimes these come as one. The router routes the network to your home devices like laptop, phone etc. The modem establishes a connection to the internet through your Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as Bell or Rogers. This network is more or less bound to your house or apartment.
When you connect to the internet, your browser, such as Google Chrome or Firefox, sends an information request through the web address you entered, to the server containing the information. The server is another computer that could be anywhere in the world. Your computer packages the request into discreet bundles of information with the sender and receiver addresses. These reach your router as radio-waves, get converted into digital-bits and communicated to your modem. Finally, the modem transmits those information bits via a coaxial or an ethernet cable to a wide area network handled by your ISP. A wide area network is a network that allows devices to communicate over a much wider geographical space. Many wide area networks have to talk to each other in order for your request to reach the server. The server sends a signal back through similar channels.
Whew, that sounds a bit complicated.
The physical infrastructure required to make the internet work spans over devices, cables, radio antennas and, now, optic fibers. To ensure that signals get transferred successfully, physical devices, also known as nodes, must talk a common language. Different methods of transmission and communication require common languages, also known as standards and protocols.
I brought up the internet as a prominent example, but it is just one of many. Besides being able to connect to wifi, your smartphone can also connect to a mobile network when you're on the go. And it can connect to other nearby devices such as your headphones, speaker, or smart scale.
How does it do that? In a nutshell, through a hierarchy of standards and protocols. These establish connections at different frequency bands. Then they convert signals to meaningful information like music or video. When your mobile phone with a "data plan" accesses the internet, it connects to a mobile network. The protocols and physical infrastructure of that network have evolved to host broadband transmission. Broadband means capacity for a wide range of frequencies, called 4G, and in much of the rest of the world 3G. 5G, the latest generation has now launched in several countries worldwide. Your phone uses either the CDMA2000 or IEEE 802.16 protocols to connect to mobile broadband. These are different languages for transmitting a range of radio signals. Your home wifi connection, for example, uses the IEEE 802.11 protocol.
These protocols allow devices to access wide area networks. Other protocols like bluetooth and zigbee create short-range connections between devices. Bluetooth allows devices to exchange information. This could be between mobile phones or to connect to wireless earbuds, speakers or a smart wallet. Zigbee is generally used for low-data connections such as home automation systems. How are these protocols established and standardized? Through different organizational bodies. Some of these include:
Why are protocols so important? Because they form the system of languages that allow devices to communicate with each other. If more and more devices have bluetooth capabilities, they can exchange information with each other. Like your smart scale talking to a fitness app on your phone. The evolution of broadband is behind the internet economy of amazon, online streaming and social media. This increased efficiency of telecommunications together with movement toward the universality of standards has and will continue to ease the abilities of devices to communicate to each other.
Internet of Things: Architectures, Protocols & Standards by Simone Cirani et al.
Rolling Out 5G by Biljana Badic et al.
The Future Home in the 5G Era by Jefferson Wang et al.
O'Reilly has a great array of resources from ebooks to videos accessible with a valid library card. You will be asked to sign in to review these resources.
Another great way to get started with the IoT are the free, interactive and self-paced let's learn tech courses offered through the TPL.
Please stay tuned for parts two and three in this series. Part two will delve into how sensors work, why they matter, and the adoption of the IoT in Industry. Part three will explore the effects of the IoT on broader society, its effects on consumers and personal identity. When these posts are published, the links will be added to this section.
I hope you will join us for An Introduction to the Internet of Things on January 26 at 6 pm!
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to set goals for the upcoming year. Start the year off right by learning a new digital skill in 2021.
According to Techrepublic, the top 5 tech skills to master in 2021 are:
Similarly, an article published in Medium entitled "Most in Demand Tech Skills for 2021 and Why You Should Learn Them" lists the following skills:
Toronto Public Library has a number of online courses and resources that can help you learn new digital skills, all free to use with a TPL card.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com. To follow the links below to these courses, you will be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Understanding Cloud Fundamentals Learning path
For those with a background in IT wishing to deepen their understanding of cloud computing, this learning path provides a strong foundation. Focusing primarily on general cloud principles, the path concludes by exploring services specific to both Azure and AWS.
Learn the basics of cybersecurity. Explore frameworks, threats and strategies for responding to incidents.
Cybersecurity with Cloud Computing
Discover how to use cybersecurity to mitigate your cloud computing risk. Learn how to secure cloud services such as Amazon Web Services, Google Apps and Azure.
Customer Service Using AI and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way every company does business—and it’s revolutionizing customer service. The ability not only to automate certain tasks, but also to use AI to prequalify and direct the customer service queue is a massive time-saver. This course explores the groundbreaking new solutions powered by this emerging tech.
NLP with Python for Machine Learning Essential Training
If you have some experience with Python and an interest in natural language processing (NLP), this course can provide you with the knowledge you need to tackle complex problems using machine learning. Instructor Derek Jedamski provides a quick summary of basic natural language processing (NLP) concepts, covers advanced data cleaning and vectorization techniques, and then takes a deep dive into building machine learning classifiers.
Master Cloud-Native Infrastructure with Kubernetes
Kubernetes has been called the "Linux of distributed systems." It is fast becoming the standard open-source tool for cloud-native application delivery.
Blockchain technology presents a disruptive new way of conducting transactions over the internet. In this course, learn what blockchain is and what it might mean for you.
Join 3D artist Craig Barr for an overview of virtual reality: what it is, where it's used, and what's in store for the future of VR. Plus, learn how the VR content creation process works and what you need to know to get started in this exciting (and expanding) field.
We hope you enjoyed the Women in AI program today. If you would like to learn more about this, and other related subject matter, here are some recommended resources.
Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism
By Safiya Umoja Noble
“A revealing look at how negative biases against women of color are embedded in search engine results and algorithms.”
Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World
By Meredith Broussard
“A guide to understanding the inner workings and outer limits of technology and why we should never assume that computers always get it right.”
Automating Inequality: How High-Tech Tools Profile, Police, and Punish the Poor
By: Virginia Eubanks
“A powerful investigative look at data-based discrimination–and how technology affects civil and human rights and economic equity.”
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men
By Caroline Criado-Perez
“Examining the home, the workplace, the public square, the doctor’s office, and more, Criado Perez unearths a dangerous pattern in data and its consequences on women’s lives.”
Race after technology: abolitionist tools for the new Jim code
By: Ruha Benjamin
“Cutting through tech-industry hype, this book explores how emerging technologies reinforce white supremacy. Conceptualizing the “New Jim Code,” Benjamin shows how discriminatory designs can encode inequity and also makes a case for race itself as a kind of tool designed to stratify and sanctify social injustice”
Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech
By: Sara Wachter-Boettcher
“A revealing look at how tech industry bias and blind spots get baked into digital products–and harm us all.”
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: the Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power
By Shoshana Zuboff
Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
By: Cathy O’Neill
“A former Wall Street quaint sounds an alarm on the mathematical models that pervade modern life and threaten to rip apart our social fabric.”
“Written in 2018 by Mimi Onuoha and Mother Cyborg (Diana Nucera), A People’s Guide to AI is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to understanding AI and other data-driven tech. The guide uses a popular education approach to explore and explain AI-based technologies so that everyone—from youth to seniors, and from non-techies to experts—has the chance to think critically about the kinds of futures automated technologies can bring.”
<A+> Alliance for Inclusive Algorithms
One of today’s panelists, Renata Avila, co-founded <A+> Alliance for Inclusive Algorithms to bring more gender, social and racial justice to the future of automation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability for a computer or computer controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. Here are a few unique examples of how AI can help with specific children's therapies. This includes speech therapy, social skills for autism and the identification of anxiety and depression.
Children with speech delays and disabilities are often added to long waiting lists to access a spot in a government-funded program. The COVID-19 pandemic has added an additional barrier for children for children to access face-to-face therapy services. Thankfully, technology is helping address these challenges.
Romanian speech therapist Daniela Mihaescu believed that there was a better way. She wanted to help the 400,000 Romanian children with speech disabilities. In 2015, she joined the Romanian e-learning company, Ascendia to help them design engaging and educational digital content.
Together, Ascendia co-founders Alex and Cosmin Malureanu and Daniela created Timlogo. Timlogo is a solution for children with speech disabilities. It's an interactive, digital speech development tool. It uses AI to analyse children's pronunciation and diagnose specific speech issues. Then, Timlogo recommends the most relevant exercises for correction.
It learns and adapts over time, so as children improve, the suggested exercises evolve with them. Timlogo is designed to be fun and to hold kids' attention. It integrates games, characters and stories to spark the imagination.
The QTrobot from LuxAI was designed to help children with autism learn social interaction.
LuxAI (University of Luxembourg) says the QTrobot can increase these children's willingness to interact with human therapists. It can also decrease discomfort during therapy sessions.
One of the benefits of these robots that researchers see for children with autism is that they are simple, repetitive and consistent. This makes them unlike humans, who are very variable. This can be comforting for children with autism.
Robot-based therapy for autism has been studied for over a decade. Examples include: KASPAR, Robokind's Milo and Softbank Robotics' NAO.
More research with more children and for longer periods of time will be needed to determine long-term benefits. There is some fear that using this technology could bring these children closer to technology and further away from humans. So far, studies have shown an increased interaction between the children and the therapists through the use of the robot.
University of Vermont researchers have created an AI screening tool that can detect anxiety and depression. It does this by analyzing their voices.
The audio of three-minute stories that children created were fed into an AI machine learning algorithm. Then, the algorithm analyzed the statistical features of their voices.
The research team found that three audio features in particular were indicative of anxiety and depression findings. The three features are low-pitched voices, higher-pitched buzzer responses and repeatable speech changes and content. This testing is called the Trier-Social Stress Task. The task can be used to cause feelings of stress and anxiety.
Traditional methods of clinical interviews and paren't questionnaires were also part of this study. They were used together with the AI screening tool to determine a diagnosis. The study found that the algorithm used (AI) was very successful at diagnosing the children with anxiety and/or depression.
Are you interested in learning more about Artificial Intelligence? Here are some resources to get you started.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com.
To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Along with streaming ebooks, O’Reilley for Public Libraries offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about O’Reilley for Public Libraries. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Descriptions are taken from O'Reilley.
New Laws Of Robotics: Defending Human Expertise In The Age Of AI by Frank Pasquale
AI as a Service: Serverless Machine Learning with AWS by Peter Elger
Artificial Intelligence: Modern Magic or Dangerous Future? by Yorick Wilks
Artificial Intelligence for Dummies by John Paul Mueller and Luca Massaron
Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans by Melanie Mitchell
Artificial Intelligence: An Illustrated History: From Medieval Robots to Neural Networks by Clifford A. Pickover
We hope you enjoyed the Designing for Equity program today. If you would like to learn more about this and other related subject matter, here are some recommended resources.
Mismatch : How Inclusion Shapes Design
By Kat Holmes
“In Mismatch, Kat Holmes describes how design can lead to exclusion, and how design can also remedy exclusion. Inclusive design methods―designing objects with rather than for excluded users―can create elegant solutions that work well and benefit all. Holmes tells stories of pioneers of inclusive design, many of whom were drawn to work on inclusion because of their own experiences of exclusion.”
Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech
By Sara Wachter-Boettcher
“Buying groceries, tracking our health, finding a date: whatever we want to do, odds are that we can now do it online. But few of us realize just how many oversights, biases, and downright ethical nightmares are baked inside the tech products we use every day. It’s time we change that.In Technically Wrong, Sara Wachter-Boettcher demystifies the tech industry, leaving those of us on the other side of the screen better prepared to make informed choices about the services we use–and to demand more from the companies behind them.”
By Don Norman
“Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious-even liberating-book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization. “
Tragic Design: the Impact of Bad Product Design and How to Fix it
By Jonathan Shariat
“Bad design is everywhere, and its cost is much higher than we think. In this thought-provoking book, authors Jonathan Shariat and Cynthia Savard Saucier explain how poorly designed products can anger, sadden, exclude, and even kill people who use them. The designers responsible certainly didn’t intend harm, so what can you do to avoid making similar mistakes?”
Creating Change: Diversity and Inclusion in the Tech Industry
“Learn about efforts made at a variety of levels to address the issue of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.”
John Maeda on Design, Business, and Inclusion
Topics covered in this course:
•Defining design
•Designing for a wider audience
•Linking inclusion and design
•Attaining the inclusion mindset
Design Justice Network Principles
Learn about the 10 Design Justice Network Principles.
“Design justice rethinks design processes, centers people who are normally marginalized by design, and uses collaborative, creative practices to address the deepest challenges our communities face.”
This November, the Library’s Innovation Council presents a two-part series of online programs that explores the themes of equity, inclusion and social justice through the lens of technology, innovation and design.
TPL’s Innovation Council is an advisory group of recognized leading individuals from the academic, creative, and technology communities.
Grab your lunch and get inspired with these online programs, happening between 12-1 pm on Wednesdays, November 11 and 18.
Wednesday, November 11, 12 – 1 pm
It is often said that design exists to solve problems and innovation is about solving problems in new ways. “Solve big problems in just five days” was printed on the cover of one of last decade’s best-selling business books on the topic, and yet 2020 has shown that many of the world’s biggest problems are getting worse not better. Can design and designers actually help, or could they make things worse?
Join us as we reflect on this and more with three practicing design innovators: Jahan Mantin (Co-Founder Project Inkblot, NYC), Lindsay Ellerby (Senior Design Director, Normative, Toronto) Siqi Zhu (Associate Director, Public Realm at Sidewalk Labs).
TPL Innovation Council member, Jeremy Bailey (Artist and Head of Experience, FreshBooks)
Project Inkblot consists of a team of designers and futurists who partner with companies to build equitable products, services and content using Design for Diversity™(D4D), and a NYC Women & Minority Owned Business. D4D is a framework that illuminates blind spots around cultural and racial biases within your design processes.
Lindsay is the Senior Design Director at Normative, a software innovation firm, where she leads a team on a wide range of projects that include research, product design, innovation and strategy. Lindsay has worked in the field of design for over 15 years helping teams generate value for organizations including Citibank, Cisco, SickKids, Xerox PARC and Four Seasons.
Wednesday, November 18, 12- 1 pm
As the use of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence continues to gain attention, the discussion tends to focus on disruption, innovation and threats. Many of the leaders receiving attention are men.
This panel has two goals. First, to share the work of women leading efforts using AI. Secondly, to explore issues including gender and racial bias in AI use and how approaching AI through a diversity and inclusion lens can lead to different outcomes.
TPL Innovation Council member, Pamela Robinson (Director, School of Urban and Regional Planning, Ryerson University).
Suzie’s research centers on the intersections of gender, equality, technology and the law. She is a research assistant with The eQuality Project where she is developing a database on criminal law cases related to tech-violence, a Senior Fellow with Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and is a member of Women’s Legal and Education Action Fund (LEAF) where she is participating in the Technology-Facilitated Violence Project.
Renata is a 2020 Stanford Race and Technology Fellow at the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity in partnership with the Stanford Institute of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. She co-founded the <A+> Alliance for Inclusive Algorithms, to bring more gender, social and racial justice to the future of automation.
A few years back, I attended a library training program and one of the presenters mentioned the idea of using virtual reality (VR) for surgery simulation. This idea has never left me.
Doctors can use VR (essentially video game technology) to simulate real-life surgery. They can use this tool to see, learn, and train themselves in more collaborative ways than ever before.
VR is also being used to help patients prepare for a medical procedure. By using a headset, a patient can watch through immersive and computer-generated imagery (CGI) what will happen during their medical procedure.
This provides important knowledge, lessens anxiety and helps patients feel more in charge of what they are agreeing to.
Let's delve a bit deeper into an example of how doctors are using virtual reality and then look at how patients use it.
Practicing pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Justin Barad and a team of software developers and medical experts founded Osso VR in 2016. Its success was great as one of Time's best inventions of 2019.
This virtual reality-based surgery training program is now used to train over 1000 surgeons a month worldwide.
Surgeons are using virtual versions of tools they have in operating rooms. This allows them to practice without the fear of error. It has a multiplayer component that allows them to work together in virtual reality.
For now, this technology is mainly used for orthopedic procedures. But the team is looking to expand to heart, vascular, urology, and surgeries conducted with robots.
Medical students are already using Google and YouTube videos to help learn and train, and even assist practicing surgeons during surgeries with research assistance.
Osso VR allows surgeons to practice skills by operating on virtual patients. It is also more portable and affordable than traditional training methods such as simulation centres.
The future will look to gloves and hand tracking developments, rather than just controllers. Because, of course, surgery requires fine motor skills and incredible accuracy.
The developer of Osso VR (Barad) grew up on video games. With the advancements and possibilities in virtual reality, he also gets to make a positive impact on the world.
SickKids' Hospital Anesthesiologist Dr. Clyde Matava and Dr. Fahad Alam, Anesthesiologist at Sunnybrook Hospital, are using immersive reality in the Collaborative Human immersive and Interactive Lab (CHISIL). You can read more about it in this Toronto Star article.
Costs are kept down by using Google Cardboard, mounted onto a smartphone. The doctors found that there was no motion sickness amongst the kids and fear prior to surgery for patients decreased. The kids also preferred VR to traditional PowerPoint slides to explain their surgery process.
Patients of the two doctors are able to choose between multiple immersive experiences. These experiences are accessible at home with their own Google Cardboard headset, which they get to keep after.
These VR videos will allow pre-op patients and their families learn about the navigation in Sunnybrook, see what it's like to get a nerve block for pain management, get an epidural, or even where to park.
Are you interested in learning more about VR? Here are some resources to get you started.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Along with streaming ebooks, O’Reilley for Public Libraries offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about O’Reilley for Public Libraries. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Descriptions are taken from O'Reilley.
Virtual & Augmented Reality for Dummies by Paul Mealy
Virtual Reality by Samuel Greengard
The Engineering Book by Marshall Brain
VRx: How Virtual Therapeutics will Revolutionize Medicine by Brennan Spiegel
The days are getting shorter, the air is getting cooler and the grocery store shelves are filling with boxes of mini chocolate bars and bag of chips. That can only mean one thing: it's Halloween season!
Halloween is going to look a little different this year. But we can still partake in the second best part of the holiday: the costumes. (Candy is, of course, the best part and you can be sure that I'll be partaking in that aspect as well).
Halloween costumes are serious business. If you're like me, you leave it to the last minute and end up with something uninspired and unimpressive. Not this year though. The cat ears and devil horns just aren't cutting it anymore. It's time to take costuming to a higher level – a high tech level, that is! And I don't mean just buying a more expensive costume either. Oh no, I'm talking about adding the bells and whistles, or maybe flashing LED lights, all by yourself!
Now, don't freak out. It's the finished product that's supposed to be scary, not the assembly process. Whether you want to 3D print a custom prop or borrow an Arduino kit to program an LED light display, we're here to help you go high tech this Halloween.
As a nerd with a love of crafting and a unique sense of style, I'm completely fascinated by the new fashion possibilities that wearable technology offers. If your day-to-day style choices aren't as out-of-the-box as mine, Halloween is a great time to dip your toe into the waters of wearable tech.
Make it, Wear it : wearable electronics for makers, crafters, and cosplayers by Sahrye Cohen and Hal Rodriguez
"Make It, Wear It clearly explains cutting-edge sewing, crafting, and electronics techniques and features a series of easy-to-follow projects using readily sourced components and tools. You'll see how to embed the latest technology into your garments, including Arduino, color sensors, and Bluetooth – you'll even explore laser cutting and 3D printing!"
Make: Wearable electronics: design, prototype and wear your own interactive garments by Kate Hartman
"Perfect for makers new to wearable tech, this book introduces you to the tools, materials, and techniques for creating interactive electronic circuits and embedding them in clothing and other things you can wear. Each chapter features experiments to get you comfortable with the technology and then invites you to build upon that knowledge with your own projects."
Practical fashion tech : wearable technologies for costuming, cosplay, and everyday by Joan Horvath, Lon Hoge, and Rich Cameron
"Pull back the curtain on making fun and innovative costumes and accessories incorporating technologies like low-cost microprocessors, sensors and programmable LEDs. This book is a collaboration between two technologists and a veteran teacher, costumer, and choreographer. Regardless of whether you are coming at this from the theater costuming, sewing, or electronics side, the authors will help you get started with the other skills you need."
Although 3D printing has now been around for several year, it still feels a little bit like magic to me. I'm lucky enough to work in one of the branches that has 3D printers available. I am forever poking my head into the Digital Innovation Hub to watch as the creations take shape.
There are so many things that you can create with a 3D printer, including custom parts for your Halloween costume. You can download ready-to-print objects from websites such as Thingiverse or try your hand at designing your own using software like Fusion 360 or Tinkercad. Please make sure you familiarize yourself with the rules for 3D printing before coming into a library branch. You are not permitted to print weapons or other materials that violate the Rules of Conduct.
Fusion 360 for Makers by Lydia Sloan Cline
"Learn how to use Autodesk Fusion 360 to digitally model your own original projects for a 3D printer or a CNC device. Fusion 360 software lets you design, analyze, and print your ideas… Fusion 360 for Makers is written for beginners to 3D modeling software by an experienced teacher."
Tinkercad for Dummies by Shaun C. Bryant
"This free tool gives everyone the power to create 3D models, regardless of your level of experience. With the help of Tinkercad For Dummies, you’ll have the knowledge you need to plan your designs, the know-how to utilize the platform’s drag-and-drop tools to create your design, and the information you need to print or export your designs to use them elsewhere. Tinkercad is for everyone! It’s simple enough to be used by kids and students, but robust enough that an adult could use it to create a complex product prototype."
Lynda.com is a database of video tutorials created by industry professionals. They range from beginner to advanced skill levels and cover a wide variety of business and technology topics, including both Fusion 360 and Tinkercad. If you already have some 3D modeling experience, you may want to also check out the tutorials for Sculptris and ZBrush. They are 3D sculpting tools that will allow you to create highly detailed, lifelike models with curved edges and organic shapes. Lynda is free to use if you have a library card and can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection.
Arduino is an opensource technology for programmable microcontrollers. Which is a fancy way of saying miniature computer circuits that you can program to follow commands. Arduinos are a great way to add a high tech element to your costume. They are commonly used to add LED light effects to clothing. They can even be programmed so that the lights react to your body's temperature or movement. Depending on how you are incorporating Arduino technology into your costume, you might want to use the Adafruit FLORA circuit board because the hardware is typically smaller than a standard Arduino board.
Getting started with Adafruit FLORA : making wearables with an Arduino-compatible electronics platform by Becky Stern and Tyler Cooper
"This book introduces readers to building wearable electronics projects using Adafruit's tiny FLORA board: at 4.4 grams, and only 1.75 inches in diameter, and featuring Arduino compatibility, it's the most beginner-friendly way to create wearable projects. This book shows you how to plan your wearable circuits, sew with electronics, and write programs that run on the FLORA to control the electronics. The FLORA family includes an assortment of sensors, as well as RGB LEDs that let you add lighting to your wearable projects."
You'll also find video tutorials for Arduinos at Lynda.com.
Costuming isn't just about the clothing. Pulling off a truly impressive costume is all about the details, and that means getting your props right too.
Make : Props and Costume Armor : Create realistic science fiction and fantasy weapons, armor, and accessories by Shawn Thorrson
"Master prop maker Shawn Thorsson uses his unique blend of humor and insight to turn years of painful experience into detailed explanations. He'll show you many of the tools, methods, and processes that you can use to create professional-looking science fiction and fantasy props and armor. The ultimate collision of creative imagination and practical maker skills, making props and costume armor involves sculpting, molding, casting, 3D printing, CNC fabrication, painting, and countless other techniques and technologies."
Cosplay Crash Course : A complete guide to designing cosplay wigs, makeup and accessories by Mina Petrović
"Cosplay Crash Course shares favorite tricks and techniques from some of the community's most imaginative artists. Step by step, you'll learn how to turn ordinary fabrics, inexpensive toys, easy-to-manipulate thermoplastics, wigs and other humble materials into original costumes you'll wear with pride. Whether you're making fabulous feathers, metallic armor, wicked horns, lifelike claws or form-fitting boots, this book puts it all within your reach."
If you're going high-tech with your costume, you've got to do the same with your make-up.
Prosthetic Make-up Artistry for Film and Television by Clare Ramsey
"This instructional book offers a fascinating insight into the world of prosthetic make-up artistry. It illustrates two- and three-dimensional make-up techniques and covers topics such as: Life casting; Sculpting techniques; Gelatine prosthetics; Airbrushing; Hair punching; Hand-laid hair techniques; Novelty teeth design and manufacture."
A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup by Tokyo SFX Makeup Workshop
"Acclaimed as the best book ever published on the subject, A Complete Guide to Special Effects Makeup covers everything from basic facial makeup styles, simple scars and gashes, to masks, molds and cast-making. With clear step by step instructions and hundreds of color photos, it includes stunning conceptual pieces from many of the contributing artists and a section on manga/cosplay hair and makeup."
Ok, let's see if we've covered everything:
That just about covers it. There's only one last question to ask: What are you going to dress up as? No seriously, that's not a rhetorical question. I am always impressed by other people's creativity, and possibly a little nosy, so I want to hear all about you costume ideas. Tell me in the comments below.
Have a happy, high tech Halloween everyone!
Digital Inclusion Week 2020 takes place October 5 to 9. Sponsored by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, the week aims to raise awareness around areas that include local technology training and support programs.
During this week, the Library will offer a variety of digital literacy and technology lectures, classes, short tutorials on Instagram, and Let’s Learn Tech learning circles.
KeithCHATS: Social Media: Addiction by Design
Wednesday, October 7; 7:00 p.m.
Keith McDonald (Founder, keithChats) will discuss social media platforms, their AI, algorithms and data use, to demonstrate how users can be drawn into a vortex of traps, mind games and bullying. For many of us, the result is addiction, disappointment and depression. This keithCHATS session aims to engage and enlighten viewers on how to avoid the many pitfalls of everyday social media use and learn how to take measures to control and manage outcomes to the users’ advantage.
Women in Tech
Thursday, October 8; 4:00 p.m.
A panel discussion with inspirational women from the tech industry. They will share experiences from their diverse roles and provide their personal and professional advice regarding an industry that traditionally is under-represented by women.
Python is an open source programming language that is used for creating web applications, web content, mathematics and system scripting. Learn about Python in this series of classes taught by TPL’s Digital Design Technicians.
Python I
Monday, October 5; 3:00 p.m.
Learn how Python code works and get time to practice. Prior coding knowledge is not necessary for this introductory class. Key takeaways will include a working knowledge of variables, loops, conditional arguments and much more.
Python II
Wednesday October 7; 3;00 p.m.
Take the knowledge from the Introduction to Python I class a step further with more programming exercises, challenging functions and modules. Gain more insight into the flow and logic of your code, the do’s and don’ts, nested loops, operators and more!
Python III
Friday October 9; 3:00 p.m.
Build on the knowledge from Parts 1 and 2. At this point, you should be comfortable with creating variables, using basic functions, importing modules, loops, operators, and conditional arguments. Now you move into creating simple lists, two-dimensional lists, slicing and iterating, working with Boolean logic, escape characters and more.
HTML and CSS are two core technologies for building web pages. HTML builds the structure of the web page and CSS makes the web page look great. The Library’s Digital Innovation Hub Team offers a 7-part web series that begins during Digital Inclusion Week. Both classes are an introduction to building a web page.
Web Design I – Introduction to HTML
Tuesday, October 6; 6:00 p.m.
Hyper Text Markup Language, or HTML, does more than just display buttons, comments and photos of cats: HTML allows people, computers and search engines to better understand the content on the page and link to even more content! After learning about the history of HTML and exploring the Markdown language, we will use a plain text editor (the easiest piece of software on your computer) to create a simple web page with content, hyperlinks and images.
Web Design II – Introduction to CSS
Wednesday, October 8; 6:00 p.m.
In this second part, we style and customize our existing HTML web pages using Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS. We will talk about the differences between HTML and CSS syntax and talk about how to format your pages into unique works of art.
The Pop-Up Learning Instagram Page offers daily content – short tutorials on how to use digital software and technology. Here’s the schedule for Digital Inclusion Week.
Learning circles are study groups guided by staff for people who want to take a free online course together in a welcoming space.
The Let’s Learn Tech learning circles meet twice a week and work together through the Cisco Networking Academy courses. Note: You must be registered for a Cisco Networking Academy course to participate in the learning circles and meetups.
Python Essentials
Tuesday, October 6
Learn basic coding in Python, as well as general computer programming techniques and concepts. This course can help you prepare for Python Institute’s PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming exam.
Virtual Meetup for Python Learners
Monday October 5; 1:00 p.m.
Virtual meetup for learners to discuss ideas and ask questions.
Introduction to Cybersecurity
Wednesday, October 7
Learn about different types of cyber attacks, measures organizations use to mitigate risks, and career options in cybersecurity.
Virtual Meetup for Introduction to Cybersecurity
Monday October 5; 1:00 p.m.
Virtual meetup for learners to discuss ideas and ask questions.
Linux Essentials
Friday, October 9
Learn basic concepts about open source and build foundational knowledge of the Linux operating system. This course can help you prepare for the LPI Linux Essentials Professional Development Certificate exam.
Life has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down our city and put many people’s lives on hold. The cancellation of in person classes at the Digital Innovation Hubs is one example. As a result, we adapted to delivering some of our classes online.
Online gatherings will never replace the experience of in person events. Yet, they have proven to be rewarding in an unexpected way.
The live chat feature allows more interaction than is possible for in person classes. It is easier to ask questions and comment without interrupting the instruction. The resulting discussions often reveal a sense of community among those brought together to learn a new skill. This sense of connection through learning inspired the "Connecting with Creativity: your COVID-19 experience in photos" series.
The series taught basic photography techniques and digital photo editing skills. Classes included hands-on training, a practical photo assignment and an online photo exhibition. Topics covered include aperture, shutter, exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity and composition. Participants also learned to edit photos using free software Polarr and RawTherapee.
Between classes, participants shared photos they took and edited representing life during COVID-19. You can view the full set of excellent photos in the Connecting with Creativity Flickr Group.
Here are a few of our favourites from the collection.
These shots featured in the photo exhibition hosted by professional photographer, Fabrice Strippoli. He shared examples of his own work then provided personal critique for each photo. Participants were lively in the chat as Fabrice shared advice and his own experience. It was an enjoyable evening and an inspiration to see such creativity in spite of a global pandemic.
There are more ways to learn about photography and photo editing if you missed the workshops.
Check out this recent blog post for a useful list of books and online resources from the Library.
See LinkedIn Learning for Library (formerly Lynda.com) for many courses and tutorials on photography. These two are a great place to start. You will need to log in with your TPL card to access the courses.
We appreciate everyone's curiosity and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. New online classes are in the works so please keep an eye on our upcoming Digital Innovation classes.
See you in an online class soon!
Edited April 30, 2021 to update resource links for LinkedIn Learning for Library (formerly Lynda.com).
Over the past year, TPL has been working with VoiceTech Global on their voice-enabled Google Library Assistant “Action” project (Google’s name for voice apps). It is used with various devices like Google Home speakers, Android phones or an iPhone with the Google Assistant app.
TPL has been providing the VoiceTech team with feedback on their community project. This included co-organizing and hosting their Idea Jam at North York Central Library in January 2020.
There were hundreds of ideas generated by library users and developers who attended the Idea Jam. Participants learned about and utilized the Design Thinking process to refine their ideas and create pitches for potential voice-enabled library assistant Actions.
The VoiceTech team took all the ideas generated in the Idea Jam and began weekly research and development work on prototypes that could potentially be most useful to TPL customers.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic happened, the VoiceTech Global team found themselves without the space at the Toronto Reference Library to work on their project.
Isolating at home was a moment of inspiration for the team, who missed their weekly work meetings at the library. They began working on one of the ideas that emerged from the Idea Jam – to create an ambient library soundscape.
This resulted in creating a new Google Action called "Third Space," which provides users with the option to simulate working in a library space by providing the familiar sounds of the environment.
We spoke with Tim Bettridge, the Founder and Development team leader at VoiceTech Global to discuss Third Space and its connection with the library.
It is actually a riff on the term "third place". "Third Place" is often referred to in community building and originally coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place. He described the benefits of community spaces, like cafes and libraries, and how they are critical domains where social connections, inclusion and democracy take place.
In our early research with library users, we learned that many people see these busy social spaces as the perfect place to sit down and get some work done. Even if you’re feeling alone, you can go to one of these spaces and connect with someone, or work alongside them.
For many, these are spaces that are sorely missed during our strange new reality: where we are unable to sit in our favourite coffee shop or settle into a study room at our local library branch.
We heard in our user interviews that for some, it’s just being in a different place that helps them focus. That switch in context is enough to kick them into gear.
We also learned that this context switch and work environment is something that is being missed by many after months of working from home. The deafening silence and monotony of day-in and day-out being in our homes can affect our mood and our ability to find focus and motivation.
Not only is the library a visual change in my surroundings, but it’s also a shift in the context of my acoustic environment or "soundscape".
Lastly, for many, it’s a social space that they thrive in. They’re seeking community and connection, even if it’s through hushed whispers and the simple comfort of knowing you’re not alone.
First off, I’ll explain what a "Google Action" is.
Actions are essentially the voice version of a smartphone app. It is a piece of software that you interact with via voice or text-based chat. They are accessible on a wide range of devices, from smartphones to smartwatches, smart cars and smart speakers like Google Home and Google Home Mini.
Today, there are over a billion devices that have Google Assistant installed on them. And this means they’ll have access to Actions. If you have an Android phone, you can access Actions through your Google Assistant and, if you have an iPhone, you can also access them via the Google Assistant iOS app. To access them you just ask for them by name, no need to download and install anything.
You can'try Third Space by merely saying "Ok Google, talk to Third Space". The Google Assistant will hand off the conversation to the Third Space agent "George" (voiced by our teams very talented George Wu). You can find the directory for Actions within the Google Assistant apps on both Android and iOS devices, and if you browse through it, you’ll see thousands of Google Actions across a wide range of categories.
When we began to develop the concept for Third Space, we started with a competitive landscape analysis. We wanted to make sure we would be developing a product that met unmet needs.
In order to achieve this, we checked to see if there were similar Actions available. What we discovered was that while there were many soundscape Actions, they were all focused on natural soundscapes. These natural soundscapes are often used for meditation, sleep and relaxation. None centered on soundscapes that would help emulate social co-working spaces like libraries.
One unique feature that I’ll mention is our visitor counter. We wanted to remind people who may be feeling stuck at home and a bit lonely that they aren’t alone, and that others are going through the same ordeal.
In our application, we count how many times the Action is used during the day, and our agent will "check how many people are visiting today" and let the user know. We were concerned this might be awkward or creepy in practice, but it was well-received.
This mix and hand-off between our pre-recorded voice actor and robotic speech synthesis was a challenge to design. But I think it strikes the right balance of being subtle and effective in its purpose.
We learned in our user research and interviews that people had a diversity of opinions when it came to what environment was best for work and focus. There wouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all solution.
We decided to offer three different settings that would satisfy this range of personal preferences by including the "library," "office" and the "coffee shop."
As for the soundscapes themselves, they are the result of a mix of Creative Commons and licensed audio as well as our team’s sound production. Our team crafted and shaped acoustic environments that we felt would meet the expectations of our listeners and provide a convincing experience.
There was additional attention paid to volume levels and sound effects. We had to make sure that our soundscapes were long enough that they wouldn’t have noticeable loops or seams. These are repeating elements that are often picked up on by a listener.
In our design process, we also knew that we wanted the personality of our voice agent to feel welcoming and social. We all make assumptions about personality whenever we have a conversation with anyone, whether they are a human or a bot. That’s why it is essential to define and shape this actively.
For conversational interface designers, personality is shaped through the use of dialog, tone and vocal dynamics. For instance, we designed our agent to be personable and welcoming by having variable responses that would change randomly to greet returning users in new ways.
Another style decision we made was using pre-recorded voice acting instead of the often used voice synthesis.
We’re happy with the natural and human-sounding voice that this gives our Action. We feel it presents a much more welcoming appeal. It was a design decision we made towards the end of Third Space’s development process, and only after some testing revealed that voice synthesis was making our agent feel a bit too cold and robotic.
We’ve thought of a number of them!
I want to give a big shout out to the passionate and committed members of Civic Lab at Voice Tech Global. You can check out Third Space for yourself just by asking Google Assistant to “Talk to Third Space,” and you can learn more about the project on our website.
If you are interested in "Third Space", this Medium article provides more detail about its development.
Check out the library's print and online resources to learn more about voice assistant technology, design thinking and related subjects. To access some of these recommended resources, you will be asked to log in with your library card:
The VoiceTech team continues to work on their voice-enabled TPL library assistant project. We will share updates in the future about their project.
With thanks to Tim Bettridge.
Photography has become a big part of everyday life. Whether we’re using our smartphones or a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera), we’ve never had such easy access to high-quality photography equipment.
All modern cameras offer a host of different automated settings to make the process of taking a photo easy. Even the most common photo sharing social media platforms offer advanced editing options. You can be almost certain your photos will look great.
Technology has been moving forward at an amazing pace. But the basic techniques photographers have used for over a century still hold true today. There are no signs of them becoming less relevant any time soon.
The process of taking a photo, whether on film or digitally, boils down to light passing through a very narrow opening and projecting an image onto a sensor or on film.
The way we control this light will determine certain aspects of our photos. This includes motion blur, exposure and depth of field. They can be used to give a creative and personal twist to our photos, and to ensure we’re able to create the image we want, not the one the camera chooses for us.
There are many variables in photography and these are discussed in depth on our Pop-Up Learning Labs Instagram account. New tips are added every Friday.
Here's a brief overview of some tips to take amazing photos!
To use the rule of thirds, imagine four lines. Two horizontal lines across the image and two vertical, creating nine even squares.
Some images will look best with the focal point in the center square, but placing the subject off-center at one of the intersecting points of the imaginary lines will often create a photo more pleasing to the eye.
The golden ratio can be a step up from the rule of thirds. The way it works is to help lead the viewer through the entirety of the photo.
It is also known as the Fibonacci spiral, golden spiral, phi grid, divine proportion or the golden mean.
The aperture is the set of blades inside the lens and its size is measured in f-stops.
The f-stop scale includes very large apertures like f/1.4 to a very small apertures like f/22, as seen in the chart above. If you're shooting in low light, open up the aperture to brighten up the image.
If you're looking for more ways to learn online, try the following online resources. All are free to use with a valid Toronto Public Library card.
Smartphone Photography: Episode 17 of Fundamentals of Photography II
An informative video through Kanopy showcasing tips and tricks on how to use your smartphone to take a great photograph. The video covers filters, light levels and much more.
We have many more free e-learning options on photography to choose from. This includes multi-week, instructor led courses available through Gale Courses with your library card.
Blue Pixel Personal Photo Coach: Digital Photography Tips from the Trenches. Only available as an ebook.
A book featuring many tips and tricks compiled by several professional photographers. Lots of helpful information in all aspects surrounding digital photography.
Digital Photographer's Handbook by Tom Ang. Multiple editions and formats available.
A great book by Tom Ang, a professional photographer for many decades. The book gives lots of tips on how to take a great photograph. This book is great for those who are hobbyists and professionals wanting to hone their skills further.
Art of Everyday Photography by Susan Tuttle. Available online and in print.
An informative book that offers tips on how to take a great picture. The book will also guide you through several editing techniques.
The Natural Light Portrait Book by Scott Kelby. Available online and in print.
A great guide on how to take a striking portrait using natural light. This book will go over tips that will teach you techniques to create memorable portraits.
Or, take a look at our newest photography books!
If you’d still like to learn more, check out our Pop-Up Learning Labs Instagram account every Friday for new posts on photography!
If you’re interested in learning from a class, our free, four-part photography program Connecting with Creativity: Your COVID-19 Experience in Photos starts on August 17. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register to guarantee your spot!
With thanks to Belinda Patterson for co-authoring this post.
The Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship recently released a report entitled: Ahead by a Decade: Employment in 2030 as part of their Employment in 2030 project. This project examines the skills and occupations that will be in highest demand as well as the trends that will have the greatest impact. Not surprisingly, a number of the trends expected to impact the future of work are related to current and emerging technologies.
Employment in 2030 consists of three reports which document the phases of the project. You can read the research findings in the following reports:
Are you interested in learning more about the trends that are most likely to change the labour market over the next decade? Check out the following courses from Lynda.com so that you can be more prepared for the future of employment.
Lynda.com offers online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress.
To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Master the Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning
After taking the courses in this learning path, you'll have a mastery of the concepts and future directions of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. You'll be able to make more informed decisions and contributions in your work environment.
Get an overview of virtual reality – what it is, where it's used, and what's in store for the future of VR – and learn the basic steps to create and publish VR content.
Virtual & Augmented Reality for 3D
Explore different kinds of immersive realities including virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality. Discover tricks, tips and techniques for effective VR projects.
Blockchain technology presents a disruptive new way of conducting transactions over the internet. In this course, learn what Blockchain is and what it might mean to you.
Learn about Blockchain technology and the implications of decentralized, encrypted data storage for business and society.
Learn the basics of what 3D Printing is and how you can use it to create amazing objects, from prototypes to working tools.
Learn 3D modeling in Tinkerkad, the free online app for anyone who wants to get started in 3D design and CAD.
Learn how to develop and stick to a learning plan so you can grow your skills, stay sharp, solve problems, and overcome challenges.
Practical Creativity for Everyone
The ability to generate creative ideas is increasingly in demand. In this course, explore practical ways to improve your ability to come up with, improve, hone, and sell ideas.
Try these titles for more about the trends mentioned above!
Artificial Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction
Artificial Intelligence for Dummies
Blockchain: The Next Everything
Last week, we looked at how you can use digital media with a Creative Commons license to spark inspiration or enhance your own projects.
Now, we'll take a closer look at what a Creative Commons license (CC) means and how you can apply it to your own works.
Copyright is a form of intellectual property that is automatically applied to an original work at the time it is created. This protects your rights as the creator by prohibiting others from copying your work without your permission. Generally, this lasts for the life of the creator plus the first 50 years after their death.
As the creator, you may wish to register the copyright to receive an official legal certificate from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office that provides physical evidence of ownership.
As discussed in the last post, you may wish to share your work with the world at large, encouraging others to make use of it in their own creations. A Creative Commons license is a form of copyright that allows you to do this while still preserving your right to decide how the original work may be used.
Let's suppose you found yourself with more time at home throughout the pandemic and spent some of it learning a new skill at one of our online Digital Innovation workshops. Having applied these skills to build your own website featuring photos you'd like to share with others, what do you do now?
There are six types of CC licenses made up from various combinations of the following restrictions:
For example, a work published using the license above means that an author credit must be given (BY), it cannot be used for commercial purposes (NC) and any new work produced using the original must use this same license (SA).
You can easily choose the right license on the CC website by selecting the permissions you’d like and the appropriate license information will be generated for you, including some HTML code you can optionally embed into your own website.
Once you have chosen the type of license that you would like to use, all you need to do is convey this choice in an easy to see and understand manner. A simple text statement that the work is licensed under a CC license with a link to the license hosted on the CC website.
If you'd like to include the CC icon with symbols and licensing statement, embed the HTML code generated after choosing your license. That's all there is to it!
Of course, this is just an overview of copyright and Creative Commons. If you'd like to learn more, take a look at some of the following resources from the Library's collections.
You will be asked to sign in with your library card to access these courses.
A question that often comes up in a number of our online classes is, "Where can I find images and other digital media to use in my own projects?"
The Internet is full of sites to download content, but it is important to know who owns the rights to the works and whether it is okay for you to use them in your own creation.
This is where Creative Commons (CC), a non-profit organization, steps in to help!
The Creative Commons group developed a new type of copyright licenses that allow one to easily distribute their work for others to use. Under a Creative Commons license, people can use, modify, and/or share content providing they follow the stipulated rules.
There are six different licenses that vary by the level of permissions granted. Some of the stricter forms are non-commercial use only and no modifications allowed.
In the least restrictive license, you simply provide an attribution credit for the work you're using to the creator.
It’s important to note that media with CC licenses are different from those in the public domain, which are typically items where copyright has expired.
A creator may also decide to release a work into the public domain directly using the "CC Zero" license, which effectively waives any copyright. I’ll take a closer look at the differences between each of the licenses and how you can apply them to your own works in my next post.
If you’re interested in learning more now, here are a few resources.
As mentioned earlier, digital media with a CC license can be used in your own projects, such as web pages, podcasts, graphic design, digital art or music.
Browsing these materials can also serve as inspiration for new creative ideas or you may want to try your hand at remixing an existing work.
Here are some great sources to find images, sound, and video that you are free to use and pair well with many of the free and open source design software tools recommended in a previous post.
And last but not least, the Toronto Public Library Digital Archive features many images that are in the public domain and are free to use. You can easily see if the image is public domain under the Rights and Licenses heading for each record. There are some great historical photos from Toronto in the collection, such as the photo below of the Children's Room inside Riverdale Branch taken in 1930.
Clearly this was well before physical distancing.
What are you waiting for? Start exploring the free media out there, or sign up for one of our free online classes to learn more about how to edit images, video and more!
The staff from our Digital Innovation Hubs and the Pop-Up Learning Labs offer fantastic workshops. They teach classes on web design, photography, electronics, 3D design, coding and more. During our branch closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these teams have been providing instructional online programs.
To enhance these programs, we are posting short videos daily on our Pop-Up Learning Labs' Instagram page. The short tutorials, no longer than four minutes each, cover a variety of topics. You'll find tutorials for Blender, video editing, photography, web design, Autodesk Tinkercad and Fusion 360, and coding to create art.
We've highlighted a few of our favourite Instagram posts from from the last three months below. To view Instagram posts on a computer without signing up for an Instagram account, add a Chrome extension onto your PC or Mac computer.
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software. It is used for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering.
The following tutorials are two to four minutes on topics such as: how to add 3D text, separating part of your mesh and how to use a Boolean modifier in Blender.
The following tutorials for video editing were created using Adobe Premiere Pro and iMovie. They provide short snippets about video editing, how to incorporate special effects in your video and how to create a background using a green screen.
Are you interested in learning how to take a great photograph? Want to improve your photography skills? These Instagram posts are devoted to photography topics such as composition rules, understanding aperture, how to light a subject and how to create a better picture. Once you have learned some new photography skills, check out our Pop-Up Learning Labs' Photo Challenge.
If you have an Apple computer, did you know that it comes with Apple Photos? Have you ever wondered how it can help you organize all your photos as well as create a fun slideshow? Check out the posts below and give Apple Photos a try.
When our branches are open, the Digital Innovation Hubs lend out Arduino kits. During the closure, you can still learn Arduino using Tinkercad.
Every week, there is an Instagram post that offers tips and tricks in circuitry using Autodesk Tinkercad.
The Pop-Up Learning Labs are currently teaching an online multi-part web design series in HTML and CSS.
To supplement the training, a few quick tutorials are offered through Instagram. The following posts are about how to use CSS to create a web page, creating web design tags and how to use CSS float and Flex Box.
Are you interested in learning 3D design? The following tutorials describe how to group or ungroup in Autodesk Tinkercad, how to slice a 3D design, and how to create a 3D design using Autodesk Fusion 360.
Creating art can be both easy and fun. The following tutorials were created using Krita, P5.js, and Piskelapp. Check out what was created and give it a try. Code is provided for each sample.
If you're looking for more ways to learn online, try the resources below from Lynda.com. All are free to use with a TPL card. You will be asked to sign in with your card to follow the links below.
A hands-on course that will guide you through the steps to develop an online resume page.
Blender 2.83 Essential Training
A great overview of how to use Blender for creating 3D graphics plus how to use advanced tools for modeling, video effects and animation.
Photography Foundations: Mobile Photography
An informative video on how to use your mobile phone to take a great picture. The video dives into how to add lenses, how to take a good portrait and taking a picture in low light. A useful video for anyone who takes photos with a mobile phone, but wants them to look their best.
A great place to begin that leads into advanced techniques in using iMovie to create your own video. You will learn how to add audio, trailers, text, transitions and special effects.
A great video for beginners. It guides you through what Arduino can do, the various functions and commands, and how to light up an LED light as a simple project.
Fusion 360: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
A beginner level on how to use Autodesk Fusion 360 to create 3D designs. It is a weekly series that gives you tips and tricks using specific tools.
Coding for Visual Learners: Learning JavaScript from Scratch
A great introduction for those new to coding. You will learn Javascript as well as p5.js. At the end of the course you will have the basics on how to design your own video game.
Special thanks to the Digital Innovation Hub and the Pop-Up Learning Labs teams for creating the Instagram Posts.
For someone who relies on Adobe on a ongoing basis, physical distancing and the lack of access to our Digital Innovation Hubs has affected me quite a bit. I know it has for a lot of Toronto Public Library customers, too. It's also given me a opportunity to try out some of the more accessible Adobe products that are available.
Here are just a few Adobe programs and websites that you can access for free. All you need to do is create an Adobe account at Adobe.com.
My favourite place to start is Adobe Spark.
Spark is a web-based platform that allows users to create fun social media content. This includes graphic-heavy posts, inspirational quotes and more. You can upload your own photos and easily draw up a design using several templates in a quick fashion.
In addition, Spark has you covered if you're looking to venture into video and web page creation.
For video content, you can just drag your files into a timeline and mess around with music, transitions and titles. Go give your video some flair!
Creating web pages can be tiresome. You might have to learn a bit of coding in the process, but the web page creation tools in Spark are quick and easy.
If you want to create a singular page with photos, content and more, then Spark is a program for you. The sites look similar to blogs in style, but are certainly clean and neat for your users.
Sure it's free and with the free basic Adobe account, there might be some limitations. But it’s a chance to play around and design some fun content with ease. You can also explore these great tools using your mobile devices.
Adobe XD is another one of those freebies that you can download and start exploring right away.
It’s used for prototyping user experiences and interactions within programs, websites, mobile apps and games.
Using it is very fun and easy. With wire frame tools, you can map out how customers can go from page to page with a click of a button.
Last but not least is Adobe Color, a web app that allows users to explore colour palettes and trends to help inspire their latest designs.
Extract colour from an image or simply create your own themes and use them for your next project.
You can learn more about the aforementioned Adobe tools by watching tutorials on Lynda.com. This online resource is free to use with a Toronto Public Library card. The tutorial descriptions below are all from Lynda.com.
Telling A Story With Adobe Spark
Learn how to create graphics for print or web with Spark Post, create dynamic web pages and presentations with Spark Page, and build short video stories with Spark Video.
[This course] provides an overview of the features and functionality in this design and prototyping tool, as well as how it can help you design compelling digital experiences.
Adobe Color Essential Training
Learn how "to create themes using the online color wheel, edit themes with color rules, participate in the Adobe Color community, and use your themes in Illustrator and Photoshop.
I hope you have fun with these great resources and get a chance to try them out on your own!
During this period of physical distancing, the use of technology has become a vital part of our lives. Technology allows us to keep in touch with friends and family and access essential services. It provides entertainment and engagement with the outside world. Some people who lack digital literacy skills, particularly seniors, may be experiencing increased feelings of isolation at this time.
Why not take this opportunity to help someone in your household learn or improve their computer skills?
Here are some resources to get you started.
Along with streaming ebooks, O’Reilley for Public Libraries offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about O’Reilley for Public Libraries. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Descriptions are taken from O'Reilley.
Computer basics: Windows 10 edition absolute beginner's guide
Make the most of your Windows 10 notebook or desktop computer—without becoming a technical expert! This is the fastest way to get comfortable, get productive, get online, get started with social networking, make more connections, and have more fun! Even if you’ve never used a Windows computer before, this book shows you how to do what you want, one incredibly clear and easy step at a time.
Digital Literacy For Dummies makes it easy to get a grip on computer basics, the Internet, the Cloud, browsing the web, productivity programs and applications for school and the workplace, computer security and privacy, the latest in digital lifestyle topics, and so much more.
Facebook for seniors: connect with friends and family in 12 easy lessons
Facebook for Seniors offers 12 step-by-step lessons for getting set up on the world's largest networking site.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com.
To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Computer Literacy for Windows 10
This course focuses on the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system and offers a thorough, jargon-free introduction to computers, files and folders, networks, and peripherals like printers and keyboards.
Topics include:
iPhone and iPad Tips and Tricks
Topics include:
• Deleting and moving apps
• Managing data usage
• Using iPad-specific gestures
• Typing tips
• Customizing mail
• Scanning documents
• Fitting more on the Home screen
• Using a mouse with the iPad
Learn how to use Facebook to connect with friends and family. Discover how to build your friends list, share status updates and photos, adjust privacy settings, and more.
Learn how to type fast, efficiently, and ergonomically.
You can also guides that were developed by Toronto Public Library staff and used in our popular in-person Computer Training classes. These guides can be accessed from our eLearning page and can'to help you get started teaching or learning beginner computer skills such as:
Computers for Beginners:
iPads for Beginners:
There are also a number of free online resources to help you or your loved ones get started learning important computer skills.
These free online modules help people to learn technology skills at their own pace. Topics covered include: getting starting on a computer, navigating a website, intro to email and using YouTube. There is also a separate section with tools and resources for trainers.
GCF Learn Free offers free, self-paced tutorials covering "200 topics, including more than 2,000 lessons, more than 1,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games." Topics include beginner level courses such as getting started with computers, typing tutorials, and more advanced topics such as graphic design and image editing.
Are you a designer, media arts professional or a hobbyist on the search for free and open source software? Do you want to edit photos, video files, create vector based graphics for company logos, and use software for desktop publishing?
Adobe Creative Suite is the industry standard when it comes to media arts software but it comes with a price. Our Digital Innovation Hubs some of our Learning Centres offer library customers access to the Adobe Creative suite for free. But, during our closure, you may need an alternative.
Here are some free and open source alternatives with comparable features to what's available in the Adobe Creative Suite package.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is an open source photo editing software. It offers many features that are available in Adobe Photoshop.
Features include:
Inkscape is an open source vector based graphics system. It is perfect for creating logos, typography and clip art. Inkscape offers similar features to Adobe Illustrator.
Features include:
Scribus is an award-winning desktop publishing software. It has some of the same functions that Adobe InDesign offers. It is ideal for students or professionals working with typesetting, page layout, creating animated presentations and so much more.
Features include:
Black Magic’s DaVinci Resolve is a powerful, professional-grade video editing suite. Because Black Magic integrated their other apps such as Fusion (for compositing and effects) and Fairlight (for audio editing), DaVinci Resolve is essentially Adobe’s Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition all in one package.
Features include:
As you are learning the open source software mentioned above, check out the resources that Toronto Public Library offers in O'Reilly Public Libraries (formerly Safari Tech and Business Books Online) and Lynda.com. Both are free to use with a Toronto Public Library card. You will be asked to sign in with your card to follow the links below.
An easy to follow book for absolute beginners using GIMP.
Pro Photo Colorizing with GIMP
A short, 20-minute tutorial on some quick tips using GIMP.
A great overview and starter guide to using Inkscape.
An informative book offering tips and tricks on design and page layout in Scribus.
Lynda.com offers several tutorials in design software. You will need to log in using your TPL card to access the tutorials.
Mike Rankin will guide you through the basics of using Inkscape.
A great overview and starter guide to using Inkscape.
A short video outlining the most common questions you may have using GIMP software.
DaVinci Resolve Training and Tutorials
Several DaVinci Resolve tutorials offered in Lynda.com.
Spending lots of time on the computer or using design software? Learn about keyboard shortcuts to help improve your workflow, accuracy and health.
Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that allow users to access menus, tools and functions in an application. You may already be familiar with common shortcuts such as CTRL+C / ⌘+C (Copy) and CTRL+V / ⌘+V (Paste).
Keyboard shortcuts as we know them today result from Apple’s release of the first MacIntosh in 1984; commonly used shortcuts use the Apple’s Command Key (⌘), such as those mentioned above, as well as ⌘+Z (Undo), ⌘+X (Cut), ⌘+S (Save). Microsoft adopted these shortcuts with their first Windows operating system opting to use the Control (CTRL) key.
Using keyboard shortcuts provides great benefits to your productivity and health. This is especially true for designers, editors and other digital content creators who spend hours at a time working on a project. Here are some of the benefits.
According to Brainscape, utilizing shortcuts can save two seconds of every minute of work. Adding this up, this could save you as much as 64 hours per year, based on an eight-hour work day.
In a 3D design app, one might need to rotate an object by a specific number of degrees. You could use the mouse to select the rotate tool and then click and drag to rotate the object, adjusting until you get it right. Or you could type the keyboard shortcut. Fast, easy, and above all, accurate.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI), such as tendonitis, are a concern for anyone who spends a lot of time using a computer. This includes designers and digital content creators who use a mouse or graphics tablet and put the majority of the workload on one hand. Keyboard shortcuts help spread the workload between both hands, lessening the risk of fatigue and injury.
Learning keyboard shortcuts can feel overwhelming. There are differences and inconsistencies between different programs. But don't fret! Here are a few resources and tips to get you started.
Design and editing apps such as Blender, DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Creative Suite will have a shortcut for about every tool.
Here are keyboard shortcuts for popular design and editing software:
The following resources from Safari Tech and Business Books Online are free to use with a TPL card. You will be asked to sign in with your card to follow the links below.
This book includes a section on how to use Mac keyboard shortcuts. Try the section titled Essential Skills.
Photoshop: A Complete Course and a Compendium of Features
An informative resource for learning Photoshop and keyboard shortcuts. Try the section titled Comprehensive.
You will need a TPL card to access these Lynda.com tutorials that offer keyboard shortcuts for various design software.
Illustrator 2020: Essential Training
This video will show you how to create keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator.
This video will show you how to create your own keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop.
Final Cut Pro X Guru: Keyboard shortcut
This video will guide you through keyboard shortcuts that are tailored to your own workflow.
What helpful keyboard shortcuts do you use most often? Is there a shortcut that has saved you a lot of time and effort, but most people don't know it? Share below in the comments!
With thanks to Nyima Huet for co-authoring this post.
On Monday, May 15, the library partnered with Ryerson University's Creative Innovation Studio to present the "Collaborative Podcasting While Physical Distancing" online workshop. Amanda Cupido, former TPL Innovator in Residence, delivered the workshop as part of the Communities Creative inititiave. Communities Creative empowers Canadians to express themselves using creativity, to build their skills, and find human connection during the COVID-19 crisis. They offer a series of free online workshops sponsored by organizations that are part of the Canadian creative community, including TIFF, Second City and more.
"How are you feeling right now?"
This was the question that everyone answered during the two-part podcasting workshop. Working collaboratively online during physical distancing, they shared their stories. In the workshop, the 55 participants learned about audio storytelling techniques. Then they created their own audio stories to share their personal experiences during this unprecedented global pandemic.
At the wrap-up listening party on Friday May 19, five participants shared their unique works with the group.
If you are interested in watching Amanda's workshop, here's the recording created and hosted by Ryerson University:
Amanda created and hosted this trailer to give you a taste of the podcast stories created during Communities Create.
While participants were only given two to three days, the audio stories produced were creative and covered different topics about how participants were coping during this pandemic.
You can enjoy the five podcasts below, created and shared by Communities Create participants on their SoundCloud.
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who created stories at this workshop and provided unique insights into how they are coping during this global health crisis.
"Going Feral: When Bad Things Happen to Good Dogs" by Rob
Since the pandemic started, Rob and his wife have been working from home. This has disrupted the routine of her seeing eye dog, Laddie. Rob shares how isolation has impacted this important member of their family.
"Making Music Together While Apart" by Donna
Donna misses getting together with her friends to play music. So she got in touch with them to ask what they have been playing during physical distancing. Donna and her friends share how their music makes them feel during these difficult times.
"Mindfulness" by Bindu
Bindu is going grocery shopping for the first time in two weeks and shares her delightful experience. "I finally see fresh tomatoes. Yay!"
"PPE" by Gary
Gary muses about "Love in the Times of COVID". He discusses his lovely relationship with a woman and how they are visiting with each other while maintaining physical distancing.
"The Walk" by Todd
Todd has been going on a lot of walks lately. He shares the sounds and sights of a walk out and about in the Etobicoke area of the city.
If you find yourself looking for more podcasts to listen to, we have a great selection to choose from!
Are you inspired to create your own podcast? Try these online learning resources you can access for free with your library card to help you get started:
Happy podcasting!
This June, the Library will present a series of weekly online programs called “Innovation Council Presents: Community Rising” that celebrate local heroes from the arts, health, non-profit and technology sectors who made a positive impact on their community during the COVID-19 crisis.
The programs are curated and hosted by members of TPL’s Innovation Council, an advisory group of recognized leading individuals from the academic, creative, and technology communities.
Each program takes place on Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 3:30 pm and gives a mid-week pick-me-up of inspiring stories: a conversation between a local hero and a member of TPL’s Innovation Council.
Hear about how community leaders got their inspiration, how they mobilized, what they’ve learned, and their plans for the “new normal” as we re-open from lockdown. Join us to give them a weekly shoutout and celebrate their achievements!
Program details are listed below with a link to more info. Programs take place online. You can register ahead or tune in on the day of.
Community Rising: CareMongering-TO (Watch Video of Event)
CareMongering-TO helps organize the local community on the grassroots level to ensure vulnerable members have access to food, housing, healthcare and other necessities and to spread kindness during the COVID-19 crisis. Since launching in March, the group has over 24,000 members and helped inspire similar groups across Canada and the world.
Come hear from Valentina Harper, one of the organizing founders of the group, on the inspiration behind the group, the moments that have inspired and touched her the most, and what the group’s future plans are.
Interviewed by Innovation Council member Zahra Ebrahim (City Builder and Organizer).
Wednesday, June 3, 3 to 3:30 pm.
Community Rising: #ShareMyCheque (Watch Video of Event)
Economic hardship has affected many during the COVID-19 crisis. #ShareMyCheque is a campaign that was launched by Resource Movement and Toronto/Tkaronto Mutual Aid to encourage people with financial security to share their excess income, savings or government benefits to people facing financial challenges as a result of the pandemic.
Bronwyn Oatley from Resource Movement will talk about their initiative and how 85 individuals to date have taken the pledge to redistribute over $35,000 on a monthly basis to support those impacted by the pandemic.
Interviewed by Innovation Council member Emily Porta (Founder and CEO, Bridge School).
Wednesday, June 10, 3 to 3:30 pm.
Community Rising: Bringing Art and Art Audiences Online (Watch Video of Event)
In the early hours of the pandemic, Lorna Mills alongside Faith Holland and Wade Wallerstein co-curated Well Now WTF, among the first and most acclaimed online art exhibitions to open in response to the pandemic and the worldwide closure of cultural spaces.
The exhibition, launched in early April, includes more than a hundred artists, many of them internet-based, from Toronto and around the world. It has since acted as a platform for multiple weekly live streamed events and even a sequel. Coverage from dozens of publications including Canadian Art, CBC, Art Forum and the New York Times have cemented the exhibition and Lorna Mills as a local hero and instigator of hope for artists and art audiences in Toronto and across the globe.
Interviewed by Innovation Council member Jeremy Bailey (Artist and Head of Experience, Freshbooks).
Wednesday, June 17, 3 to 3:30 pm.
Community Rising: 3D Printing PPEs (Watch Video of Event)
Dr. Azad Mashari (Director) and his team at the Lynn and Arnold Irwin Advanced Perioperative Imaging Lab (APIL) at Toronto General Hospital recognized the increased need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in supporting healthcare workers in their fight against COVID-19.
Working with Glia, a company that develops regulatory-approved, open-source medical devices in partnership with academic and industry partners, Dr. Mashari mobilized a group of local Toronto organizations with a goal to produce thousands of face shields. These shields included components created by 3D printers, including from printers on loan from the Library.
Panel discussion with Vahid Anwari (Toronto General Hospital) and interviewed by Innovation Council member Zahra Ebrahim (City Builder and Organizer).
Wednesday, June 24, 3 to 3:30 pm.
Are you interested in exploring careers in Information Technology (IT), upgrading your IT skills or gaining knowledge about popular programming languages and networking concepts?
Toronto Public Library has a number of online courses and resources that can help you learn new skills, all free to use with a TPL card.
In addition to the courses listed below, Let's Learn Tech Online offers free and interactive courses offered in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy. Until June 1, you can even take a free, advanced course in Linux.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Become a Programmer: Foundations Learning Path
This Learning Path consists of 13 courses that will help you to learn the fundamental concepts and practices that are critical to the task of coding -regardless of the language you choose.
"This course provides a deep dive into the world wide web, and the underlying structures you need to understand to build robust applications and websites that are efficient and easy to maintain. Learn how HTML documents provide the foundation for CSS and JavaScript, and see how to layer presentation and interactions on top."
"Through practical examples and mini-projects, this course helps you build your understanding of JavaScript piece by piece, from core principles like variables, data types, conditionals, and functions through advanced topics including loops, closures, and DOM scripting."
"Java is one of the top five programming languages, and is used for websites, embedded controllers, and Android app development. Interested in learning how to code with Java? Join instructor Kathryn Hodge as she helps you get up and running with this popular language. Kathryn covers all the basics: data types, strings, functions, and loops."
"Learn C++ programming, starting with the basics. Widely used for both systems and applications development, C++ is available for virtually every operating system and has influenced and informed many derivative languages, including C# and Java. In this course, Bill Weinman guides you through the nuts and bolts of this essential language."
These are online, instructor-led courses with specific start dates. Learn more about Gale Courses. Course descriptions below are all from Gale Courses.
"Take your first steps toward a career as a computer programmer! In this course, you'll learn to use Just BASIC, a free Windows programming language, to create stand-alone applications for professional or personal use."
Introduction to CSS3 and HTML5
"Learn how to create state-of-the-art websites using modern CSS3 and HTML5 techniques. Take your existing HTML skills to the next level and start building sites like the pros. If you want to survive and excel in the fast-paced world of Web publishing, you're going to need to keep up with ever-evolving standards."
"Introduction to Networking explains computer networking basics in easy to understand terms, using concepts common to everyday, non-computing experience."
"Continue to build your knowledge of networks and networking, with detailed treatments of TCP/IP, how switches and routers operate, DNS, and more. You will gain a full understanding of almost every aspect of networking technology, including hot topics such as virtual private networks, security, Internet connectivity, and cloud computing."
Learn how to "add interactivity to your web pages by creating features such as buttons, picture carousels, and collapsible panels to your web pages. The course begins with the basics of JavaScript code and then moves on to more advanced topics."
Along with streaming ebooks, Safari Tech and Business Books Online offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about Safari Tech and Business Books Online. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are taken from Safari.
Learn the core foundation of HTML and CSS. By the end of this course, you will be able to bring in the power of both HTML and CSS to your work by building great professional-looking websites.
Modern JavaScript From The Beginning
This is a "front to back" JavaScript course for absolutely everybody starting with the basic fundamentals to advanced programming without relying on frameworks or libraries at all.
"Provides an introduction to C++ for new programmers as well as people with experience in languages such as BASIC. The course helps the new programmer get up to speed as quickly as possible while understanding the C++ way of doing things."
Edited May 13, 1:10 pm to include link to Let's Learn Tech Online.
Let’s Learn Tech Online, our free and interactive courses offered in partnership with Cisco Networking Academy, has been expanded to include new courses and resources for learners who are interested in developing information technology job skills. These courses are informed by industry expertise. Courses include Introduction to IoT, Introduction to Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Essentials, Linux Unhatched, Linux Essentials and Python Essentials. They can be taken anytime, anywhere. Rolling enrolment in these nine-week courses is ongoing and the next enrolment phase starts on May 18, 2020.
For a limited time, we are offering two advanced courses on the Linux operating system. These courses can help learners prepare for the LPI LPIC-1: Linux Administrator certificate exam. You do not need a library card to access these courses.
Teaches you about shell configuration, file management, text utilities, system software and more in the Linux operating system.
Explores advanced shell features, user and system administration, networking, system security and more in the Linux operating system.
Online meetups are now available for both Python Essentials and Introduction to Cybersecurity. Sessions are held once a week for learners to ask questions and have discussions. Invitations to these online meetups are sent to all learners registered in the courses.
Want to know more about Linux, Python and Cybersecurity? Check out these online resources. To access these resources, you will be asked to sign in with your library card.
These books are all available through Safari Tech & Business Books Online.
Linux Essentials for Cybersecurity (2019) by William Rothwell and Denise Kinsey.
Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide (2020, 8th edition) by Wale Soyinka. Also available in print.
Python for DevOps (2019) by Noah Gift. Also available in print.
Cybersecurity Ops with Bash (2019) by Paul Trocone and Carl Albing.
Be sure to visit our eLearning section for other wonderful online learning platforms, such as Lynda.com, Gale Courses and Safari Books Online.
Happy learning!
Are you interested in video editing? Toronto Public Library has many online resources to guide you through the post-production workflow, also known as editing. These resources are free to use with a valid Toronto Public Library card. Two examples of resources are:
Since the post-production workflow has different stages, I have grouped the online resources from our Lynda.com and Safari databases for each stage. I have also grouped them according to popular video editing software that you may wish to learn about. You may be asked to sign in with your library card to view these resources.
There are many non-linear editing (NLE) software applications to choose from. Many have similar user interfaces. Choosing one is based on your personal preference. Here are a few of the most popular:
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is the industry leader in non-linear video editing. It provides a complete suite of functions from editing, sound mixing, compositing, title design and colour correction to create broadcast quality productions.
Learn Online:
Final Cut Pro X is a professional post-production program for video projects. It will feel like a natural segue for anyone familiar with the user interface of iMovie – Apple's entry level non-linear editing system.
Learn Online:
Avid Media Composer is still the industry standard for digital cinema post-production. It offers many of the same functionalities as the other editing programs mentioned. If you have watched a movie or a television show recently, you've likely seen a production edited on an AVID non-linear editing system.
Learn Online:
Sound and music is crucial for most productions. These online resources offer both insight and technical understanding of audio editing and mixing for video.
You may want to add visual effects, animations, 3D design and compositing to provide polish to your production. One popular software used for compositing, visual effects and motion graphics is Adobe After Effects. Adobe After Effects won a Scientific and Technical Achievement Academy Award in 2019.
Learn Online:
Colour grading establishes the colour palette of your production. Different palettes can establish different tones and aesthetics to a video.
DaVinci Resolve is a popular and powerful colour correction software, but also includes many non-linear editing features including editing, audio mixing and visual effects.
Learn Online:
With library branches closed and no access to the software offered in the Digital Innovation Hubs, we wanted to provide a list of some of our favourite free software titles that you can download and use at home.
Not sure how to get started with new software? We’ve got you covered with full video tutorial courses from Lynda.com, one of our many online resources. To access the video tutorials, you will be asked to sign in with your library card.
The Digital Innovation Hubs and Pop Up Learning Labs also presented their first online classes last week with an Introduction to Python coding workshop. More online classes and programs are in development so check back on the TPL website soon for updates.
Stay home, stay safe and learn a new digital skill online!
Audacity is a basic yet deceptively powerful multi-track audio recording and editing software. It’s easy enough for beginners to learn quickly and has enough built-in tools and features for more advanced users. Audacity is perfect for podcasters and musicians alike.
Learn Online: Learning Audacity (Lynda.com)
Blender is 3D design software that can be used to create animation, 3D models, motion graphics and simulation. Check out this recent post on our blog for more resources to get you started with Blender and a couple other free 3D design options.
Learn Online: Introduction to 3D (Lynda.com)
GIMP is an image editor that can be used for photo manipulation, graphic design and digital artwork. Whether you want to perfect a photo for Instagram (of your latest sourdough loaf) or to touch up some old photos sitting on an old hard drive buried in a desk drawer, GIMP can help get the job done.
Learn Online: Essential GIMP Training (Lynda.com)
Inkscape is an open source vector graphics editing software with similar features and capabilities as Adobe Illustrator. Because vector graphics are based on x/y coordinates, they can be scaled up or down in size and retain image fidelity. This is an ideal tool for digital artists, designers and anyone interested in creating logos or images to be used online.
Learn Online: Inkscape Essential Training (Lynda.com)
Sculptris is free digital sculpting software from Pixologic, makers of ZBrush, which is popular with movie and video game creators. Sculptris provides an easy entry point to this type of 3D design and offers all the tools you need to get started sculpting your own 3D characters and objects with virtual clay.
Learn Online: Sculptris Essential Training (Lynda.com)
While it's a given that technical skills are required for careers in technology, soft skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving are also essential. Toronto Public Library has a number of online courses and resources that can help you take your career to the next level, all free to use with a TPL card.
Along with streaming ebooks, Safari Tech and Business Books Online offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about Safari Tech and Business Books Online.
Soft Skills to Advance Your Developer Career
"As a software developer, your technical skill set is in high demand. Devices and technology have become an integral part of our everyday lives and no digital organization can'thrive without technical professionals on the payroll. However, career plateaus are inevitable in even the most high-demand field. Companies do not only need software developers; they need software developers with soft skills."
Surviving the Whiteboard Interview : a Developer's Guide to Using Soft Skills to Get Hired
"Learn how you can use soft skills – in addition to technical skills – to help you land your next developer job!"
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card. Course descriptions are all from Lynda.com.
Your communication skills affect your career prospects, the value you bring to your company, and the likelihood of your promotion. This course helps you communicate better in a variety of professional situations, including meetings, email messages, pitches, and presentations.
Everyone wants to perform well when the pressure's on, but a lot of us withdraw in times of stress or adversity. If you can build your resilience, you'll have an easier time facing new challenges and earn a valuable skill to offer employers. In this course, Kelley School of Business professor and professional communications coach Tatiana Kolovou explains how to bounce back from difficult situations, by building your "resiliency threshold."
Effective time management is an indispensable skill. Bestselling author and business coach Dave Crenshaw lays the theoretical and practical foundations for managing your time and becoming more productive. Learn how to get more done in the shortest time possible and avoid the obstacles and distractions that can get in the way of good time management.
Whatever job you do, it's likely you work in a team. Your performance will depend on your ability to work successfully with other people. Learn the qualities of effective teams and the role you, as a team member, play in creating a healthy, productive team in this course taught by management trainer Chris Croft.
Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills
Become more confident in your problem-solving by learning how to improve your critical thinking, judgement, and decision-making skills. Improve your thinking skills, build problem-solving skills and learn decision-making strategies.
These are online, instructor-led courses with specific start dates. Learn more about Gale Courses. Course descriptions below are all from Gale Courses.
Master 12 career-enhancing skills including goal setting, time management, personal organization and creativity.
Communicating successfully depends on effective use of communication strategies and behaviors. Words, facial and body movements, tone of voice, even clothing and situation, all form an intricate symbol system that must be quickly translated by those who want to communicate.
Discover how to talk confidently and persuasively to both large audiences and small groups. Learn how to plan and deliver your presentations skillfully and how to manage one of the most common public speaking barriers: fear.
Skills for Making Great Decisions
Learn how to make excellent everyday decisions from an experienced counselor and life coach.
Improve your career prospects by learning how to develop powerful written documents that draw readers in and keep them motivated to continue to the end.
While we all continue to practice physical distancing, I’m pleased to announce that the Digital Innovation Hub and Pop-Up Learning Lab teams are testing out a new way to deliver some of our classes online.
This will be a new way of delivering programs for us, so there may be a few bumps along the way, but we look forward to learning together with our users.
Our first online class is Introduction to Python and will run twice this week. See below for the full class description and links to register. Space is limited but we hope to offer more of these online classes in the near future.
TPL is currently investigating offering other types of online programs while our branches are closed. Stay tuned to our website and online channels for more info!
Python is an open source programming language that is used to create web applications, web content, mathematics and system scripting.
In this workshop, you will learn how python code works and get time to practice. Prior coding knowledge is not necessary for this introductory class.
Key takeaways include a working knowledge of variables, loops, conditional arguments and more.
This class is for beginners but assumes you have a basic understanding of computer skills. If you can use a word processor or browse the web, you can learn Python!
The program takes place on Jitsi, a free and open source web-based video conferencing application. Prior to the class, participants will need to download and install Python on their personal computers.
Specific instructions including information about software installation will be sent to registrants one day prior to the class.
Register now for Introduction to Python on Wednesday, April 22, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Register now for Introduction to Python on Thursday, April 23, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Design thinking is a creative approach to problem solving that puts people (users) at the centre of the process. It is a collaborative and iterative approach that drives innovation across a number of sectors including education, health care, product development, banking, technology and libraries. Check out this Design Thinking for Libraries Toolkit.
If you’re interested in learning more about design thinking, the Toronto Public Library has a number of online courses and resources, all free to use with a Toronto Public Library card.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com. To follow the links below to these courses, you may be asked to sign in with your library card.
Stay Competitive Using Design Thinking
This learning path consists of eight courses that will help you learn the basic tenets of design thinking including: how to conduct design research, how to brainstorm and prototype ideas, and how to lead change within your organization.
The courses in the learning path can also be taken individually.
A Design Thinking Approach to Putting the Customer First
"In this course, leaders from companies like Procter & Gamble and Netflix explain how to apply a design thinker’s methods to customer experience and product development. Learn how to embrace empathy, prototype early and often, differentiate your product and appreciate failure."
Along with streaming ebooks, Safari Tech and Business Books Online offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about Safari Tech and Business Books Online.
Transform Ideas into Business with Design thinking
This ebook discusses how to transition an innovative idea into a business opportunity using design thinking.
Learn from the Experts about Design Thinking
"In this interview, O'Reilly Content Director Nikki McDonald talks with Matt Templeton, senior director of innovation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, about design thinking."
There are a number of organizations that offer online courses that you can'take or audit for free online. In some cases, you will be required to create an account.
3D printers are playing a role in supporting front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Toronto and around the world.
Recently, Toronto Public Library lent out 3D printers to a team at Toronto General Hospital (TGH). The 3D printers will be used to produce parts for a face shield for medical staff. The same TGH team have previously produced 3D printed stethoscopes.
In many parts of the world, 3D printers are also being used to print protective medical devices.
While we are keeping safe and healthy in our homes, it is a great time to learn about 3D design, the process of creating digital objects that can be 3D printed into physical objects. The following free software programs provide a great way to get started.
Toronto Public Library offers many e-resources in learning 3D design. All the resources listed below are free with a Toronto Public Library card. Here are a few suggestions from Safari Tech and Business Books Online.
Learning Blender: A Hands-On Guide to Creating 3D Animated Characters
"Learning Blender walks you through every step of creating an outstanding animated character with the free, open source, 3D software Blender." This book then teaches you how to put that character in a video animation using a professional workflow.
"Build four projects using Blender for 3D Printing, giving you all the information that you need to know to create high-quality 3D printed objects."
3D printing with Autodesk 123D, Tinkercad, and MakerBot
"Practical examples take you through the Design, Catch, Meshmixer, Tinkercad, Make and CNC Utility apps as well as the MakerBot Desktop. Fun projects, easy-to-follow instructions, and clear screenshots progress from installing the software to printing the design."
"Learn how to use essential tools for working with 3D modeling. To give your models the feel of real-world objects, you'll learn how to create materials and set up surfaces."
3D modeling and printing with Tinkercad: create and print your own 3D models
"Want to master 3D modeling and printing? Tinkercad is the perfect software for you. This guide is packed with photos and projects that bring 3D modeling to life!"
A Beginner's Guide to 3D Modeling
"A practical guide to 3D CAD modeling. Begins with the principles of parametric modeling and assembly methods, and then moves on to advanced modeling concepts such as 3D sketching and splines, helixes and ribs, technical drawing and rendering."
"Learn how to use Autodesk Fusion 360 to digitally model your own original projects for a 3D printer or a CNC device. Fusion 360 software lets you design, analyze, and print your ideas. Free to students and small businesses alike, it offers solid, surface, organic, direct, and parametric modeling capabilities."
Beginner and Intermediate 3D design tutorials are also available through Lynda.com. Learn more about Lynda.com. You will be asked to log in with your Toronto Public Library card to access these courses. Course descriptions are from Lynda.com.
Learn how to create 3D models, navigate in 3D, create and modify shapes, as well as use the workplane and ruler to design more accurately. This course is for beginners.
Get an overview of modeling, animating and rendering 3D graphics in Blender software. Learn how to create and edit basic objects, work with modifiers and subdivision surfaces, and apply materials and textures. The is course is for beginners.
Fusion 360: Tips, Tricks and Techniques
Fusion 360, the popular 3D design and fabrication tool from Autodesk, is constantly evolving. This weekly series keeps you up to date with the latest and greatest in the Fusion 360 feature set, providing tips tailored fro beginners jump-starting their learning journey.
With thanks to Joey Milligan for co-authoring this post.
Are you interested in learning new digital creativity skills such as graphic design, digital photography, web design and blogging?
Learn how to create and share digital content for your online portfolios, social media and business websites with the following online courses and resources below, all free to use with a Toronto Public Library card.
These are just some of the courses offered.
Online tutorials that you can'take at your own pace. Create an account to track your progress. Learn more about Lynda.com. You will be asked to log in with your Toronto Public Library card to access these courses. Course descriptions are from Lynda.com.
Learn how to perform basic image editing techniques such as cropping and resizing, selecting and masking, and retouching in GIMP, the popular open-source image editor.
Learn the ins and outs of using a blog as part of a business marketing strategy.
WordPress.com Essential Training
Learn how to create your own website or blog with WordPress.com using this free, easy-to-use service.
Introduction to Graphic Design
This introductory course covers image editing, logo design and layout in Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Learn to use Canva to easily create beautiful graphics. Build professional-looking graphics for social media, presentations, brochures, business cards and more.
Learning Video Production and Editing
Find out how to get started in video production and editing. Reviews the tools and techniques aspiring video professionals need to know to launch a successful career.
These are online, instructor-led courses with specific start dates. Learn more about Gale Courses. Course descriptions are from Gale Courses.
This course will teach you all about digital cameras, from DSLRs to smart phone cameras and what different equipment is used for. You will learn about different display methods for your camera, including sizing, print options, online storage, and how social media factors into digital photography.
Photoshop is the world's most popular photo-editing program. Artists, photographers, designers, and hobbyists all rely on Adobe Photoshop for image creation and editing. The course provides detailed, step-by-step instructions that will teach you how to use Photoshop CC with confidence.
Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners
This introductory course will teach you how to plan and create you very own blog and podcast. Through hands-on exercises, you will discover the benefits of using free web tools like Blogger, WordPress, Audacity, and YouTube.
In this course you'll master the basics of Web design and learn how to build sites that are better and more effective.
Along with streaming ebooks, Safari Tech and Business Books Online offers a variety of online video courses. Learn more about Safari Tech and Business Books Online.
Beginning Pixlr Editor: Learn to Edit Digital Photos Using this Free Web-Based App
"Learn digital image editing without the expense of using subscription-based editors. This eBook will introduce you to Pixlr Editor, a free, web-based image editing solution that works on virtually any computer platform."
Toronto Public Library (TPL) is providing 10 of the library’s Ultimaker 2+ 3D printers for loan to a team at Toronto General Hospital to support their efforts to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
A team at the Lynn and Arnold Irwin Advanced Perioperative Imaging Lab (APIL) department, led by Doctor Azad Mashari and production manager Joshua Hiansen, is producing face shields that include 3D printed components.
The face shield is made from plastic, Mylar and elastic, and covers the whole face, protecting the nose and eyes from droplets that may contain coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
The APIL project is part of a larger initiative being spearheaded by Dr. Tarek Loubani through the Glia Project that has arisen in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more PPE for frontline workers.
In addition to TPL, other partners supporting APIL’s work in Toronto include Ryerson FCAD, Objex Unlimited, Mosaic Manufacturing and Autodesk, who have provided APIL with several printers on loan as well.
Many public libraries around the world have makerspaces and 3D printing technology and programs, such as TPL’s Digital Innovation Hubs. In response to COVID-19, several libraries are supporting similar 3D-printing community efforts, including Kitchener and Stratford.
March 27, 2020
On December 11, 2019 I hosted an introductory Photoshop Pattern Design workshop. The program was previously highlighted in this blog post which surveys a range of contemporary and modern artists whose work straddles pattern or textile design and art. Following the December session, I wanted to share some of the participants work.
A friend who works at Maria A. Shchuka Branch attended the program and decided to host it at her location on Wednesday February 12 from 2-4 pm. Her program Pattern Design with Photoshop will focus on pattern design for web and other screen based applications, such as creating a unique screensaver for your phone. You can register for the workshpo in person or by calling the branch at 416-394-1000.
Here is some participant work from our December session, mixed in with some related books. All of the workshop participants gave consent to share their images in this post.
Naomi made a few different patterns out of an original watercolor sketch she had made.
Another participant, Camille, started off with one of Anna Atkins cyanotypes for her design. Atkins who was friends with the inventor of the cyanotype, Sir John Herschel, who created the method in 1842. Atkins then began making her own in 1843. You can read more about Anna Atkins at the Toronto Reference Library.
Or, view Anna Atkin's portfolio showing some of her botanical photographs.
Karen made a series of designs starting out with an image of one of Kandinsky's paintings. The cropped and repeated version retained the playfulness of Kandinsky's original work.
Lisa created several designs during the class, which remind me of Art Nouveau style.
If you are interested in reading about how the internet has challenged copyright's ability to protect artists, read Lawrence Lessig's book Remix. Lessig is a lawyer and academic who founded the creative commons licenses which gives people and organizations a free, simple and standardized way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic work.
If you are interested in New Media theory, and the way that software has changed our culture check out Lev Manovich's book Software Takes Command: The Extended Language of New Media.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the December workshop, we hope some of you can make it out to the next Photoshop Pattern Design class!
Visit one of Toronto Public Library's Digital Innovation Hubs to use Adobe software like Photoshop. You can also try out PIXLR which is a free, web-based alternative to Photoshop. Tutorials for PIXLR and Photoshop are available online for free through Lynda.com which you can access using your library card.
Creating illustrations digitally gives artists the ability to expand beyond the limitations of traditional media. In my opinion, one of the most wonderful features of drawing using digital software is the opportunity to easily animate your illustrations. Having this skill opens you up to more professional opportunities as an illustrator. As different publications, brands and blogs build up their web presence, there's been an increasing demand for illustrators who can make their illustrations move. Also, animating your drawings can be super fun!
Adobe Creative Cloud has multiple software options that you can use to animate, but I've found Adobe Photoshop is the easiest and most intuitive for me. If you're already creating illustrations in Photoshop, you can use many of those same Photoshop tools to transition to animation. Photoshop does a great job at animating short animations (I've always stuck with animations 15 seconds or less, though if you're working on a powerful computer you can make longer ones). You can also easily export animations in a video format, or as a GIF (a format for image files that supports short animations without sound) which is perfect for displaying on a website or using on social media.
As a part of my residency at Fort York Branch I've been facilitating a workshop called "Create a Simple Animated Illustration". Together we learn about the process for creating an an animated illustration in Photoshop, and each participant makes their own 2-3 second animation.
I wanted to show off a few examples of participants work, as I'm so thrilled by what everyone created.
If you want to learn more about how to use Adobe Photoshop, I always recommend Lynda.com to start you off. You can access it from any internet connected computer as long as you have a valid library card. They have many videos that offer step by step explanations on how to use the software.
For more info about animation in general, I have a couple books to recommend:
Animated Storytelling: Simple Steps for Creating Animation & Motion Graphics is a great book for learning about how to plan out an animation, from storyboards to finished product. It also defines a lot of animation terms, and gives you a great basis for starting your own projects.
If you're more interested in animation in general, The Animator's Survival Kit is a great book to look at. Written by Richard Williams, the animator behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, it's considered by many to be a guidebook for understanding animation principles.
The Digital Innovation Hubs at Toronto Public Library offer access to a variety of helpful tools and software. You can book time on computers with Adobe Creative Suite (giving you access to Photoshop), and you can also book a Wacom Cintiq, allowing you to draw directly into Photoshop. Talk to the staff at your local Digital Innovation Hub to get started.
Some of the most compelling applications of 3D printing are being developed in the medical community. Researchers such as Semaphore Research Cluster Director Matt Ratto at University of Toronto have used 3D printing to reduce the wait time for much needed prosthetics. Detailed 3D models of organ systems are now used for instruction and practice. It is now possible to print high resolution simulations of the cardio-vascular system for instance, potentially preparing surgeons for complicated procedures and providing practical educational tools. Printing using hydrogels and resins containing growing cells takes it a step further into practical medicine, presenting immediate physical solutions (bioprinting) (3D Printed Mini Heart, Functional 3D printed heart tissue). 3D printed models allow for a more tangible understanding of the human body compared to only using computer software such as those offered by Autodesk.
On a quiet morning in October at the Toronto Reference Library’s Digital Innovation Hub, a new customer came in to 3D print a file they had designed. We started discussing their design, a curvilinear arc with a cylindrical base and connecting piece.
The customer introduced themself as “K”, and then told me the story of why such a customized tool was needed for their work.
K recounted a long and winding academic career. They had started majoring in biology at the University of Waterloo, through the Science and Business program, and then shifted into zoology and animal physiology and explored astrophysics, quantum mechanics and general engineering (using the resources one would only find in such a setting). While completing their undergraduate degree, they had the opportunity to instruct photography, and then worked for the department of mechanical engineering for the new Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab (MSAM) as a developer and designer. For graduate school, K attended OCADU's (Ontario College of Art and Design University) new medical design program, “Design for Health”.
K had hoped that pursuing an education in medical design would balance an interest in visual arts and science, but also cover that academic gap for helping others. During this time at OCADU, K explored a variety of design projects including improving accessible animal prosthetics (inspired by time spent as a veterinary tech.), designing medical applicators for biogels, and testing HASMAT suiting procedures used for treating Ebola.
Currently, K applies their knowledge of physiology and art by tattooing. They told me “I’m making a very specialized tattoo machine that has specific torque ranges for certain depths of skin. I specialize in scars and scar cover-ups and I’m seeing the shortcomings of most existing equipment. I’m making 3D printed prototype for the machine’s casing, since 3D printing material is affordable, accessible and biodegradable. The final product will likely be in aluminum.” You can see K's work on Instagram, @let.me.stab.you.
K explained in detail the various layers of skin and complications around tattooing scar tissue in particular. “Many tattoo artists avoid tattooing over scars as they add a literal extra layer of difficulty and possible complications. For example, keloid scars cannot be easily pigmented, sometimes not at all. That can lead to multiple sessions of tattooing to try to build up that layering, or to see how ink will rest in the skin before continuing.” K works around this for now by integrating the raised scar tissue into the design.
K works mainly with marginalized people, making their work accessible and affordable on a sliding scale, maintaining a PWYC (Pay What You Can) policy. Most often, K works with people who have had intrusive surgeries or injuries that have led to unwanted scars. This includes self harm, accidents, abuse and gender confirmation surgeries. K finds connection with people through stories of scarring:
“I find that there is a direct correlation between scarring and being a marginalized individual. If I were to focus on either, I’d run into the other. For an example of what might go into a simple scar: someone may get top surgery, which is a process that can'take years in terms of registering, having physiological and psychological evaluations, being on a long waiting list (very few trusted surgeons and teams are readily available), working through governmental and medical systems for things like coverage and insurance, and then determining how intrusive of a surgery it is – if it’s a minor fat and tissue reduction or a full mastectomy for instance – and then when it’s all said and done, no matter how great the surgeon is, you will be left with a scar. It may not even be a scar you want covered up, it can be a sign of success and worth itself, but maybe there are related scars, scars from the past that got someone to that point. Scarring is a complicated process with so much beneath it, both physically and metaphorically.”
K offers people a way to gain creative ownership of their bodies and turn a marker of something painful or unwanted into a personalized artwork. Rethink Breast Cancer is one Toronto based advocacy group that shares personal stories of breast cancer survivors, many of which include tattooing as a way to reclaim a sense of empowerment.
“So I’m making a specialized prototype for this tattoo machine for scar tissue, something I first explored in thesis and lab work. There are machines on the market that do this well, but there aren’t ones that do it well at a good price, or they do it well by proxy of being powerful machines. There’s no all-in-one solution in tattooing, especially with variables like the artists themselves, so I’m trying to build a more standardized tool, from the motor to the ergonomics.” K hopes that developing this tool will make scar tattooing more accessible and streamlined, and is confident that this tool will help other tattoo artists and some have already expressed interest in testing the prototypes.
I don’t always get the chance to talk with customers about what they’re working on, but with K I was so glad I asked. It is inspiring to know how our services and staff support people like K, who uses their expertise to help many others. What looked like a small, obscure geometric form turned out to be a prototype that has the power to help transform the way people relate to their skin and their scars.
We welcome everyone to visit one of Toronto Public Library’s Digital Innovation Hubs and pursue their projects or prototypes through 3D printing! If you are new to 3D design or 3D printing, try attending one of our classes, or browse for 3D design files from Thingiverse. Bookings for printers and equipment are available to be scheduled over the phone or in person.
As the current Innovator in Residence, I’ve been running programming related to digital illustration at the Fort York Branch. With only a couple weeks left in my residency, I’ve now facilitated a variety of workshops and talks on subjects related to both illustration as a practice and illustration as an industry. It’s been fun and fulfilling to meet with program participants and together explore the tools that the library has to offer.
One of my favourite programs that I’ve had the opportunity to run is a workshop called "Incorporating Traditional Media into Digital Illustration". It’s a workshop where we explore bringing traditionally-made textures and artwork (pieces made using physical media such as watercolour, pencil crayon or ink) into digital software. Once you bring your work onto the computer, you can edit it using Adobe Photoshop, and add exciting texture and color to your digital drawing.
If you’re interested in bringing handmade materials into your digital illustration, the library has a variety of tools to help you!
The Digital Innovation Hub at the Fort York location has equipment readily available to bring your artwork into the digital realm. It's one of eight Digital Innovation Hubs at a Toronto Public Library branch. You can reserve a computer station and use a large format scanner to document your work at high resolution. You can scan line work drawn with ink or pencil, textures made using paint or dry media, or even found textures like handmade paper! Anything that you’ve made or found can be used to elevate your illustrations.
Computers at the Digital Innovation Hub come with access to Adobe Creative Suite, which will allow you to edit and add to your illustrations. The artwork you’ve scanned can be brought into Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator to use as a sketch for a full illustration or applied as an interesting overlaid texture.
In addition, try booking time with a Wacom Cintiq tablet and start illustrating digitally. When you use a Cintiq, you draw directly onto the screen, and the tablet captures your individual way of making marks. You can use a Cintiq to easily draw in Adobe Photoshop and edit those materials that you’ve scanned in previously.
I love to look at the work of other illustrators who work with mixed media. It can be great inspiration!
Lisk Feng illustrates for both editorial and picture books. I love Everest as an example of how her combinations of texture and colour make stunning and dynamic imagery. It's a kids book but I would recommend checking it out if you're curious what can be achieved while drawing in Photoshop.
Keith Negley is another illustrator who really understands how to combine found images, textures and digital drawing. If you're interested in seeing artists who combine digital collage and drawing, his children's book Mary Wears What She Wants is a great place to start.
If you're just getting started using Adobe Photoshop to created digital illustration, Lynda.com is an amazing resource. It has tons of step-by-step video tutorials for walking you through many processes in Photoshop, from basic to advanced.
I also recommend Digital Painting in Photoshop: Industry Techniques for Beginners if you're looking for help with drawing digitally. Although the book focuses on Sci-Fi and Fantasy art, the techniques explained can be applied to any style of illustration!
Using both traditional and digital tools is a great way to expand your skills as an illustrator. Sign up at the Fort York Branch’s Innovation Hub to get time with their computers and equipment or take a class to get started!
Recently, I came across the limitless possibilities of pattern design while playing with a photo of a painting I made in Adobe Photoshop. A tiny piece of an image can make countless unique variations. At the Digital Innovation Hub, you can even print your design in colour up to 11"x 17" inches, so you could make a thoughtful gift wrap. If you want to make your work more permanent, visit the Fabrication Studio at North York Central Library where you can experiment with heat transferring your image onto fabric. There are multiple potential uses for your printed fabric including a re-usable gift wrap, sewing a simple pencil case or even a printed tote bag.
Never worked with Photoshop before? I'm teaching a workshop, Photoshop Pattern Design at Toronto Reference Library on December 11 in Learning Centre 1 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Come in and learn how to translate a fragment of an image into a personalized pattern.
Here is an example of pattern design that I created using a tiny fragment of my own image (an oil painting).
For inspiration, I've been browsing the Toronto Reference Library's broad selection of books on pattern and textile design (Look at section 746 on the fifth floor). In that section I've discovered countless amazing textile artists, and found that many famous modern artists known for their painting also experimented in weaving, pattern design and fashion.
For much of art history, many great artists disregarded textile design as a lesser art form, a minor or applied art. In Jacques Damase's book, Sonia Delaunay, Fashion and Fabrics, I learned about Sonia Delaunay, (b. 1885, Ukraine) who treated fabric as a work of art in its own right. Delaunay, alongside her husband and collaborator Robert created new art movements called "simultanism" and "orphism". Her work is recognized for its geometric simplicity and sharp colour contrasts. Delaunay is also credited as the inventor of the paper cut out technique which Matisse used late in his career. Delaunay translated her painted abstractions off the canvas and into the world of every day objects resulting in a successful career as a fabric designer.
You can read more about Sonia Delaunay in these books:
Artists associated with the Bauhaus School like the German Textile Artist Gunta Stölzl (b. 1897) also worked extensively with textile design with amazing results. Stölzl played a crucial role in the development of the Bauhaus' weaving school (initially called the Women's department before it was re-named the Weaving department). Like Delaunay, Stölzl applies modern art theories of colour to her woven work. I find her preparatory drawings and watercolors as amazing as the final textile pieces. See more of Stölzl's work alongside other female Bauhaus masters in Bauhaus Women a Global Perspective.
The preparatory drawings of Anni Alber are as satisfying as Stozlz’s, though much more pared down in graphite drawings. Albers (b. 1899), also German, is another great Modern artist who blurred the boundaries between traditional craft and art. Her work has recently gained overdue attention through large retrospective exhibitions at the Tate London and MOMA in New York.
The multi-talented Swiss artist Sophie Tauber-Arp (b. 1889) associated with the Dada movement worked in textile design as well, along with her work as a painter, sculpture, architect and dancer.
Other artists like Gerhard Richter and Philip Taaffe work with pattern design as part of the painting practices. Patterns Divided, Mirrored and Repeated documents Richter's process of transforming his abstract painting using mathematical processes. The outcome of his replicated image is dizzying and complex. Richter (b. 1932 in Dresden) has been painting for six decades, and has been incredibly prolific and varied in his approach.
Contemporary Canadian artists like Caroline Larsen, Colleen Heslin and Amanda Clyne respond to the history of textile art into their studio practices.
Larsen who shows her work at General Hardware Gallery in the Parkdale area, creates rich, kaleidoscopic paintings that are most often floral still lifes and landscapes. At first glance Larsen’s work appears to be woven textile pieces but are, in fact, made of layered strands of oil paint which she squeezes from the corner of plastic bags like cake icing. Her technique results in densely saturated, exuberant paintings that are kitschy and celebratory in effect.
Ex-corporate lawyer now Toronto based artist Amanda Clyne responds to representations of the feminine in art history and contemporary culture. Clyne works in many series using varying styles, but has an overarching interest in beauty and feminine bodies. She often works from ornate dresses and dissecting idealized faces from advertising. Her ethereal "textile studies" are a series of floating, layered colour fields that evoke worn pieces of fabric.
Vancouver-based Colleen Heslin creates crisp, colorful abstractions that look like painting but are constructed out of dyed fabrics. Heslin mixes genres of painting and craft, combining elements of quilting and Modernist abstract painting. She responds to hierarchies of art and craft that have also been gendered. Craft is associated with femininity and deemed lower on the arts hierarchy. In contrast Abstract Expressionist, formal abstraction, considered itself to be at the peak of high art and is associated with the masculine. When I e-mailed her asking to include her in this post, she referenced Sonia Delaunay's cubist quilt from 1911 as an influence. Heslin also introduced me to the remarkable quilting of Gee's Bend, a group of African American women living in a secluded community in Alabama. The Gee's Bend quilters have been using quilting as a story-telling method for over 150 years.
Heslin also recommended a few books on the subject of Textile art including Today is Tomorrow (only available as a reference book, to be read at Toronto Reference Library). She also recommended two contemporary theory texts on the subject of craft and art and hierarchies of art mediums: Glenn Adamson's Thinking Through Craft and Elissa Auther's String, Felt, Thread. (Thank you Colleen !)
Toronto Public Library also has many survey and source books that compile the works of many artists. Check out The Indian Textile Sourcebook which tells the story of textile production in South Asia, spanning back as far as 6000 BCE! This book surveys a vast history, range of techniques and motifs commonly found in Indian textile design.
Equally fascinating is Silk and Cotton which surveys textiles of Central Asia with hundreds of strikingly beautiful colour relationships and patterns.
Even broader, check out Embroidered Textiles: World Guide to Traditional Patterns
A personal favourite is the lavishly illustrated book, The Grammar of Ornament by Victorian taste-maker Owen Jones, first published in 1856. It is considered a design masterpiece that explores elements of design underlying decorative arts, textile, architecture, textiles and manuscripts across various cultural periods. Read more about the significance and labour intensive production of this book.
The Library also has a selection of books that explore the way that patterns appear in nature. If this subject interests you, check out Patterns in Nature Why the Natural World looks the Way it Does and The Beauty of Numbers in Nature: Mathematical Patterns and Principles from the Natural World.
To experience textile design in person, why not visit the Textile Museum of Canada? The Toronto Public Library’s Museum + Art Pass (Map) program offers free tickets to the Textile Museum at select branches. Visit the webpage to find out more.
If you visit Toronto Reference Library, there's also an extensive picture collection on the fifth floor. File folders with cut out images are categorized and filed away in rows of cabinets, many are quite old and rare. I checked out "textures" and "textiles" and found many great images.
Who are your favorite textile artists and pattern designers that I may have missed?
I hope that some of you can make it to the Photoshop Pattern Design workshop on December 11!
Images in this piece were used with artists' permission.
What does our personal data say about who we are? We all generate massive amounts of data and it is nearly impossible to go "off grid" these days. Our data is tracked, stored, interpreted and monetized. Most often, we're not the ones benefiting from this knowledge production. Few of us have the ability to confidently examine or interpret our personal data.
This year I started experimenting with turning my personal data into pattern design. The process changed the way I relate to my information and showed me the infinite possibilities of data visualization. Below are two drawings I did based on personal bio-metric data.
Since data collection is now pervasive, it’s worth stopping to consider the data trails we produce and how they may be used. I recently finished studying Culture and Technology at the University of Toronto where I developed a new interest in the politics of data. Now that I’m a librarian, I wanted to design a workshop for people like myself who are concerned about digital surveillance, but didn’t study computer science. I’ve developed a two-hour workshop called Draw your Data which I’ll be running at Toronto Reference Library on November 27, starting at 6 pm.
This workshop will explain how to use drawing tools (pencil crayons) to unpack a small selection of personal data. Each participant will create their own self portrait by representing personal data. The manual process of selecting, extracting, cleaning and representing our information slows us down to think differently about our data trails and the power of information design.
There is value in looking at “small data” and value in experimenting with ways to describe it. The information designer, Georgia Lupi, has inspired this workshop by showing me the value of looking at small data and using drawing as a method. She has written and interviewed many times about the importance of humanizing data. She recently released a collaborative clothing line that is using data to inspire textile design, while telling the stories of female technological pioneers, like Ada Lovelace .
No computer science or data analytics expertise required. During the Draw your Data workshop, each participant will be guided through how to look at a self-selected data set using information from our phones or google accounts. These data snapshots won’t be big enough to draw authoritative conclusions, but they will offer an opportunity for self reflection. The slowness and deliberate nature of drawing to process information is valuable. Data experts are welcome. The more diverse and interdisciplinary the group the better!
While preparing this workshop, I practiced data drawings with a few of my own data sets. I learned a lot about the ways that you can manipulate data and make decisions to present a story without being outright dishonest. Each stage of the data drawing process requires decision making, showing the non-neutrality of data visualization.
For example, here are two simple graphics that show how much I walked according to the health app on my phone, which was collected without my knowing. I made two versions of the illustration, using water coloured squares to show my level of activity. In the first (above), I set a higher standard and used the health app's information alone, and it made me look sedentary! The second drawing presented the same information differently, and includes layers additional information. The result tells a very different story.
Broader awareness about data visualization is necessary. Infographics permeate all kinds of journalism and aid in the presentation of arguments. Most infographics don't reveal their data sources or disclose the decision-making process behind their design. This means that information graphics are powerful rhetorical tools. Furthermore, we tend to strongly associate data with neutrality, "rawness" and truth. Check out "Raw Data" is an Oxymoron, edited by Lisa Gitelman, for more on this.
Data disproportionately serves corporate interests of companies like Google and Facebook. Given the power of data and data visualization, it's important to make more graphics that represent ourselves and our communities. Designers like Lupi show us that handling and humanizing data not only shifts power, but can also be a beautiful storytelling method.
Data drawings can also be brought to one of our Digital Innovation Hubs, where they can be reproduced in 3D using one of our 3D printers and modelling software. A post-doc researcher Gabby Resch, who works in Toronto, recently experimented with 3D data visualization in a project called InclusiVis. Resch modeled civic information in 3D with the goal of making it more accessible to blind and visually impaired people. There are lots of civic data sets available from the City of Toronto’s Open Data portal.
Below are some drawing I made based on City of Toronto Extreme Cold Alerts and Extreme Heat Alerts, as well as information about how much the cost of a bachelor apartment has gone up in the City of Toronto.
If you are interested in reading about information design, check out the following titles:
Dear Data by Georgia Lupi and Stephanie Posavec
Beautiful Evidence, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
Graphic Discovery: A Trout in the Milk and Other Visual Adventures by Howard Wainer
The Quantified Self by Deborah Lupton (Reference copy only, can be read at Toronto Reference Library)
How to Lie with Statistics by Darrel Huff
"Raw Data" is an Oxymoron by Lisa Gitelman
For online content that may be inspiring, check out this amazing list of Data Physicalizations. It's a chronological list of physical visualizations and related artifacts, maintained by Pierre Dragicevic and Yvonne Jansen.
Another great place to find out more is the r/dataisbeautiful subreddit on Reddit.
And if you want more hands-on experience, come to the Draw Your Data workshop at Toronto Reference Library on Wednesday, November 27!
Post by Rui Jie Wang, Innovator in Residence.
What began as an exciting endeavour to educate and inform the general public about the possibilities of immersive technologies like augmented reality has really evolved into something I could not have imagined.
Over the last 10 weeks, we ran over 50 workshops, panels, talks and one-on-one appointments one at North York Centre Library. We explored how Augmented Reality (AR) could be used from the classroom to the boardroom, from innovating in storytelling in art galleries to giving new eyes and senses to redefine what accessibility means. We ran several technical workshops with industry experts to share their experiences, time and knowledge with us at the Library.
It was so rewarding to see such a diverse group come out again and again for the sessions. I was so excited to see the eagerness, curiosity and willingness to learn and help each other throughout this summer of fun!
But these programs are just the beginning! As a designer, thinker, tinkerer, teacher, developer or somebody who is just curious about augmented reality, there is no better time to explore it than right now. So beyond this residency here are some tips for you to learn more about AR on your own.
An AR headset like Hololens or Magic Leap can be pretty pricey to start, so to get started in development it helps to have a relatively new smartphone or even a tablet to tinker with.
If you are a designer, artist or focused on 3D there are a lot of AR platforms that don't require any coding whatsoever and work across many types of devices! For example: Sketchfab for showcasing 3D models in AR or VR, SparkAR for Facebook and Instagram, and Lens Studio for Snapchat that will help you get started right away.
Another way to really dive deep into more technical frameworks and learn to develop on game engines like Unity or Unreal is to dedicate a weekend to go to hackathons, game jams or other meetups to meet other folks, have fun and create something together!
Technology is always going to be changing and such is the nature of innovation. Platforms, software and hardware are always evolving so a good thirst for knowledge and willingness to learn is essential.
So for those of you who came out to these talks again I thank you so much for sharing your time! I hope you were able to learn a couple of new possibilities about augmented reality and technology in general. For those of you hoping to break into the field I hope these sessions served as a glimpse of the many ways you can contribute to the space. From designing, to business, to development, media creation and beyond – there are so many pathways you can look forward to and skills that you can pick up that are applicable to AR. It’s definitely an exciting space for you to define what you want to do!
If you ever want to revisit any of the sessions, couldn’t make it out to a workshop, or want to follow what’s next for me – I have included all the talks and workshops which will be hosted on my personal site at: ruijiewang.me or tpl-iir.ruijiewang.me/.
Thanks all! And if you ever want to follow for updates you can find me at ruijiewang.me where all my social media and current projects are available. Cheers to what’s next!
It’s been a few weeks into this residency, and I have been reflecting and really trying to hone in on explaining the design and development process of the various Augmented Reality (AR) projects that I have worked on over the last couple of years. Although each project is unique with its own set of challenges, there are a few common threads and tools that I have learned to use throughout the process. I hope these tools can be useful for anyone interested in AR, from those who may be just starting out to even the most veteran enthusiasts within the industry.
With client work at Patio Interactive Inc., we work collaboratively to understand what the challenges are then brainstorm to come up with a variety of ideas and the best way to technically execute them. My job as a designer is to create mock-ups, concept videos or anything else that can be used to help clearly communicate what the final experience is going to be like. Working with these initial designs, the whole team’s vision can be aligned as we test it out, break it and improve it.
My goal as a designer is to go beyond the initial novelty that technology presents and see how we can implement and integrate it to create lasting impact for the users.
The process of creating impactful AR experiences evolves differently for different projects. I am really excited to share some insights and case studies on the design and development process at the Designing for AR programs.
Below is a quick overview of some of the tools I use as part of conceptualizing AR experiences.
I'm always on the lookout to expand my toolkit but I find that sketching with paper has always been the fastest way to make sense of ideas initially. It's great for getting started and checking in with the team to see if we are going in the right direction. Currently I use Blender (which is open source and free) for simple 3D modelling and visualizations as well as Adobe Photoshop to create hi-fidelity storyboards/mockups. Sometimes I use Adobe After Effects to animate some components to really bring the concept to life and Figma (a browser-based design tool) to create basic interactive prototypes.
For prototyping more complex spaces that focus on spatial environment design, I find that it is helpful to design in virtual reality (VR) using tools such as Sketchbox, Tilt or Medium to get your point across. Especially when I need to get a feel of scale and placement, I find that sketching in VR using Sketchbox can be very helpful.
Although there is a bit of a learning curve, this is great for importing into a game engine or development environment like Unity or Unreal, which is free. This allows me to experiment and prototype more complex interactions all the way to production. Some of the frameworks used out there are mostly compatible with Unity or Unreal, such as Vuforia, ARkit for iOS devices and ARcore for android devices. Released within the last few years, they are also compatible for developing headset experiences.
It’s really interesting to see how these game engines have evolved to become almost the Swiss Army knife of development these days and I personally can’t wait to see what it is going to become. We are currently working on experimenting and refining this process at Patio Interactive and I hope to share some of those learnings at my upcoming workshops.
Post by Rui Jie Wang, our current Innovator in Residence.
From June 17th to August 25th, North York Central Library welcomes Rui Jie Wang as our summer Innovator in Residence!
With a background in computer science and art history, Rui Jie Wang has worked with not-for-profits, start-ups, and large companies alike to create impactful outcomes through design and most recently with immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality (AR/VR/XR). Her work and interests lie in a mix of visual, conceptual and functional projects to experiment, break and push the limits of what the anticipated future could look like. Rui Jie is currently the Lead UX designer at Patio Interactive, designing and producing immersive experiences with a wide range of clients across many industries, to solve business challenges and create unique experiences with a disruptive toolbox.
We recently had the chance to chat with Rui Jie to get to know her better.
When I chose to study computer science with a specialization in art history at Queen’s University, I had no clue where it would take me! I had been familiar with mobile apps and web design but something about bringing the digital into the physical realm seemed so exciting. I first began tinkering with Virtual Reality at various school hackathons and projects, which naturally translated well into Augmented Reality. After graduating university, I was fortunate enough to go to Copenhagen to study at a summer design school where I began experimenting with more immersive mediums first hand. When I began to work at Patio Interactive Inc., I gained the opportunity to use this knowledge and apply immersive technology to various client projects across many industries!
I enjoy the challenges and constant learning! The field is still new to mainstream audiences and is always growing. This evolution involves a lot of learning about different types of skills, perspectives and tools. Since I've worked in the field I have picked up a lot of 3D modelling, video editing, development, game design as well as design thinking skills that help me translate complex ideas into tangible work that exists in an ever evolving digital reality (like in the world of AR). Unlike a lot of other emerging tech like Blockchain or AI where the magic is behind the scenes, AR is something that has more visibility and directly interacts with user. Not only that, but this technology also has so many different innovative applications in areas such as education, accessibility, retail business, art and gaming, which will be highlighted and showcased in my programs and workshops this summer.
For more exploratory or experimental projects, a lot of theatrical, conceptual and experiential arts and movies are my sources of inspiration. For example, sci-fi films like Black Panther demonstrate really interesting and inspiring concepts that can drive the evolution of AR. It's sometimes crazy to think how magical or high fantasy tropes like opening up a portal to another world can be realized in a very basic way with the power of AR now. Even just observing the day to day activities can be a source of inspiration, as it can lead you to notice a problem you didn’t realize you had, which could become an opportunity to innovate and try something new!
Currently I am working on an AR mystery card game called Curious Case with a friend! The premise is that you have to solve a mystery by scanning and combining various "evidence cards". I really wanted to make an accessible board game that teaches some basic AR interactions while also exploring non-linear storytelling and I had a great time building the idea at the Femme Fatale game jam hosted by Dames Who Make Games with some really awesome, talented folks.
I found the opportunity to interact with people with different technological backgrounds and understanding to be very refreshing. I have been learning so much through preparing for this residency and am really excited to share my knowledge and experiences and learn more from others too! The residency program is so unique in the way that it can be set up and since the topic of AR is so broad, I am really keen to have some guest speakers come to share their unique insights and experience within the field. I am also super excited to be running more experimental workshops like the Hologram Development workshops or the AR Armour workshop and see what the participants will come up with! My goal for each program is to inspire and empower whoever comes out to these events. My hope is that all participants, regardless of their technological expertise, can'take away something that they can explore on their own or at the 1 on 1 office hours in which I can provide feedback or advice on executing AR projects.
Don't pass up this exciting opportunity to meet Rui Jie and learn about Augmented Reality at one of her upcoming programs!
Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship can be intimidating, but the Toronto Public Library has you covered. There are a wide range of resources like reading lists and free programs to help get you started.
The library also offers panel events for niche areas, like the business of podcasting.
Amanda: Hi! I’m Amanda Cupido and I’m the Podcasting Innovator in Residence at the Toronto Public library. I’m also a podcast producer and the author of Let’s Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right. Recently, I had the chance to moderate a discussion about the business of podcasting at the Toronto Reference Library. For those of you who missed it, I’ve conveniently pulled out some of the best parts for you to take a listen to. But first let’s get to know the panelists. We had Martin Waxman, a communications consultant who is one of the hosts on the podcast called Inside PR.
Martin: I’ve been podcasting for *gulp* almost 10 years.
Amanda: Martin also teaches social media and public relations at Seneca College and University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. Also on the panel is Geoff Siskind, an executive producer with Pacific Content, which is a Canadian company that makes branded podcasts.
Geoff: And how I got there is I spent about a decade working at CBC radio making doc for a number of different shows and at the same time being a show-runner in reality television.
Amanda: Now, he works on several podcasts including Trailblazers, a show by Dell and Hackable – a podcast by McAfee, which he also hosts. He starts off with talking about the types podcasts he produces.
Geoff: Certainly at Pacific Content we have different types of podcasts. We have some podcasts that have a very broad audience and some that are certain niche. There’s an opensource software company called Red Hat that we do a podcast for that’s specifically for open source software developers – which you would think there wouldn’t be very many of them, but the podcast does gangbusters. It’s truly amazing. There are 550,000 podcasts out there so one of the things we do is, not only make your podcast sound good but – this goes for branded or unbranded – what’s your superpower? What’s your unfair advantage? What the thing that you have that no one else has?
Amanda: Martin talks about what that looks like for him with his podcast and how he’s able to leverage having a niche audience.
Martin: A lot of PR and communications and journalism professors around the U.S. started recommending our podcast to students so we found we have a niche student audience. I’ll be at a conference somewhere in Dallas or Austin and someone will hear me talking and come up to me and say "You’re Martin Waxman aren’t you?" because they’re a student that recognizes my voice. I don’t get that anywhere else. It shows you the power of grassroots word-of-mouth promotion to build an audience. We don’t get major downloads. We get approximately 2,000 downloads per episode – mostly from Silicon Valley of all places and not Canada which we thought – but that’s good enough for us. It’s appealing to what we want to do, which is position ourselves as thought leaders and out of that, it helps boost our profiles in search and it means people can find us through another method, really like content marketing.
Amanda: Which brings us to return on investment. Although Martin says he hasn’t monetized his podcast, he sees great value in it.
Martin: We’ve seen more requests for speaking engagements. Organizations will call me and say they’ll want me to speak and if I speak at a conference and there’s a good chance that I’ll come away from that event with one, two or three client leads. And if I can close one or two of those, that’s a really great return on investment for me. It means I don’t have to go out and sell things, but instead, they’re coming to me based on something I’ve said. The podcast is kind of a backhanded way of referring people. I did get one big client based on my podcast who called out of the blue one day and said "I heard your podcast so I thought I would call you," so there’s that return. But it really depends what you want out of it. It may be that you just want to build a community around something that you’re passionate about or something that you’re interested in and you’ll be able to build a community and that’s great, you can achieve your goal and you’ll get a great return on investment. It may mean you want to make some money at it and in that respect, you need to figure out what you need to do to commercialize your idea so that advertisers or sponsors will find a good reason to pay for it because they know you’re a good intermediary to reach the same audience that they want to reach.
Amanda: Geoff adds that it’s all about strategy
Geoff: I think in terms of ROI [return on investment] if, you’re thinking is "If I spend $1 on this podcast, am I going to make 1$ on this podcast?" Maybe. Maybe not. It’s absolutely impossible to tell. But what is tangible is, will people think about you or your brand differently or in a new light? And will being associated with something that’s cool or smart – are there others things you can do with it? Even if just blasting it out on your Twitter feed that the new podcast is out, does that do something to your profile?
Amanda: Now a key piece to having your podcast impact your profile is getting people to listen in the first place. Geoff talks about one tactic that’s becoming increasingly popular in the podcasting space, which is ad swaps.
Geoff: You look for a podcast that has a similar sensibility and similar numbers and you approach them and say, "Hey, you talk about my thing for a minute and I’ll talk about yours for a minute." We’ve started doing this at Pacific Content and it’s hard to tell what the result is but it potentially taps you into a new audience and it’s an audience you know that you want because you can'tell by the show. I know CBC does a lot of ad swaps and NPR. Even if you just have 500 listeners you can find a similar show and my guess that you’re not going to have the same 500 listeners. So even if you get 50 new people tuning into your podcast, it’s awesome and always worth doing.
Amanda: Martin talks about a different tactic he’s used, specifically when targeting niche audiences.
Martin: We partnered with the Public Relations Society of America, which is the largest industry professionals group in the United States. We said "Look, this is who we’re reaching, if you give us a gold sponsorship we’ll come to your conference, we’ll pay our own way there and we will create content for you and use it on our podcast." And they said yes. We did that for a couple years and had a really great time doing it. That’s another way of doing it – partner with an organization that has the same type of audience as you.
Amanda: But even with all of these tips, Geoff says there’s a very specific sure-fire way to grow your audience.
Geoff: Still the number one thing is to get a juicy placement in some podcast app because that’s where you’re about to make your decision. There are three ways we’ve learned how to do that. One is to have a brand-new podcast, in which case you have something very promotable. The second is to have a new season. A lot of podcasts just go on forever. Just stop, take a break for a month and then you’re on season two and then you can promote it again. Apple Podcasts really like a new season. And then the third way, which is hard to pull off but awesome to do it to have an episode with a high profile guest. So if Martin has Obama on this podcast, Apple Podcasts is going to promote that. And if you look at their top spot, it’s full of Oprah is a guest, Julia Roberts is a guest. It’s a power guest that can bring you right up and ultimately put you in a different category.
Amanda: We capped off the session with a question from the audience about what’s missing in the podcasting landscape right now. Here’s Martin…
Martin: I would say what’s in your imagination. It’s so hard and it’s so personal. I know that’s a big clank canvas but if you look at all the content hats being created out there – all the podcasts, all the TV shows, all the radio shows, all the movies and all the books you go, "Why bother, it’s been done." So, it’s like how can you give it that original spark of creativity based on your perspective and your individuality? What is that spark that makes people want to listen? Otherwise they’ll go,"‘I’ve heard that." There’s nothing really new… it’s really the way you do it that’s new. And one more thing. I can’t remember who said this to me but it’s something I’ve never forgotten: creativity is a renewable resource. You can always come up with something new and I think knowing that means you don’t get stuck on one idea if it doesn’t work the way you want and you need to pivot.
Amanda: That sums it up. Thank for listening. Now go forth and podcast!
With the increased hype around the podcasting landscape, it's easy to get excited about what's next.
In my book Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right (available at the Toronto Public Library), I touch upon a few areas where I predict we'll see expansion. That includes…
I was able to sit down with Arif Noorani (Executive Producer of CBC Podcasts) to talk about what the future of podcasting looks like for the CBC and how it will impact the podcasting landscape as a whole.
Q. Research is showing that what's lacking in the podcasting space are the voices of the really young and really old… I know there are many networks investing in podcasts for kids. Is that the same for CBC?
A. Yes. I think it taps into where the future is going. We already have Tai Asks Why but we also are going to do a series with CBC Kids called the Story Store and that will mainly be for kids that are 5-10 years old and for paren'ts to play the podcast as entertainment for kids. The podcast (which is set to be released in May 2019) will have kids writing in and submitting a wish or request for a story. For instance, they'll request for a story about princesses and unicorns and then we'll get a writer to create that story. And the reason why we're doing this is because we're seeing smart speakers become more popular. With smart speakers, they're all voice enabled and you can image how people will use them. One of the big cohorts that will be [using them are] families. They'll call up their smart speaker and want something everyone can listen to. So we're making these podcasts because we think families will listen to them through their smart speakers.
Q. Let's talk about adaptations – we're seeing a lot of podcasts dictating other forms of media. Maybe you can give some examples?
A. Podcasting is a great place for new intellectual property. One of the recent adaptations is Homecoming, which is an audio fiction podcast from Gimlet and has just been turned into an Amazon original series with Julia Roberts. Gimlet also created Start Up, which was turned into a TV show called Alex Inc. aimed at the family market. It was a disaster but it was one of the first adaptions of that kind. CBC is also in talks with four of our series to adapt them. One of them being Personal Best, which is a show that takes people who have tiny problems and turns them into grand adventures.
Q. What do you foresee for CBC Podcasts as a whole?
A. Up until now, we've focused on highly produced narrative storytelling. This is where we're taking four to six months to produce 10 episodes and they're beautiful and people connect with them. But moving forward, we want an ongoing connection with the audience on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. So we've opened up our creation around that. We didn't go there initially because CBC had a radio service but what we've come to realize is that there's a whole other audience that doesn't even have a radio and yet wants the same sort of news and content in a slightly different way. This is why we created Front Burner, which is a daily news podcast. We also want to expand in the regular talk format; we're going to look to develop a weekly podcast in the arts/pop culture space.
To hear the full conversation that took place in front of a live audience at the Toronto Reference Library, check out the audio file below.
By Michael Chambers, Innovator in Residence for Audio.
Sitting down in the recording studio at one of the Toronto Public Library’s Digital Innovation Hubs can be confusing at first. What pieces of equipment do you need to record sound?
In my previous post I talked about the pros and cons of some of the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software available at the Digital Innovation Hubs. You have a number of options, including Logic Pro X, Ableton Live and REAPER.
An audio interface is the hardware device that routes all the audio in and out of your computer. Yes, your computer will have a built-in audio system, but using an external device will give you more connectivity (your computer doesn’t have XLR connectors!) and better sound quality.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is an audio interface that’s available at some of the Digital Innovation Hubs. The Scarlett 2i2 is 2-input, 2-output, USB audio interface. That means that you can connect two microphones to record with, two speakers (left and right, or headphones) to listen back with, and it connects to the computer via USB.
To record your voice (or any other acoustic instrument) you’ll need a microphone. There are two main types of microphones to choose from: dynamic and condenser. Both types use the same 3-pin connector, called an XLR connector, to hook up to your audio interface or mixer.
Dynamic Microphones
The Shure SM58 is a dynamic microphone. It’s well suited for recording just about anything from voices to drums. It’s also a very durable microphone which is why it’s used both on stage and in the studio. You can’t go wrong choosing this mic.
Condenser Microphones
The Audio-Technica AT4040 is a condenser microphone. The biggest difference between dynamic and condenser mics is that condenser microphones need power. Power is usually supplied by the mic input of your audio interface or mixer via something called “phantom power.” You’ll need to turn on phantom power to use a condenser mic. It’s usually labelled “phantom” or “48V” (it supplies 48 volts of power).
Like most condenser microphones, the AT4040 is used primarily in recording studios. This because condenser mics are much more sensitive and delicate than dynamic mics. That also means that they pick up more detail in the sound. More detail isn’t always better, however. If you’re recording in a room with a lot of background noise, the condenser mic will record more of that background noise in addition to the thing you want to record!
Most of the microphones you run into will be unidirectional, meaning they pick up sound in the direction it’s pointed. But they don’t all work as you might think. Many microphones are “end address” mics. That means you can'treat it like a flashlight — you point it at the sound you want to record. The Shure SM58 is a good example of this kind of mic. Unlike the SM58, the AT4040 is a “side address” mic – that means that it picks up from the side. When using this mic, you point the side of the mic at the sound you want to record. Usually, the side with the logo is the side that picks up sound with this mic. However, if you’re not sure which side to use, do a test recording to see which side sounds better and louder.
Michael Chambers has concluded his residency at the Richview Library's Digital Innovation Hub but you can follow his work as an Artist, producer, musician, recording engineer, and (re)mixer on his website.
Today is my last day as the Innovator in Residence in Textiles, and I’m sorry to see it end! The last 10 weeks have been an amazing experience creating and learning with all of you. To celebrate, I’d like to look back at some of the fun things we made as well as at the Fabrication Studio where it all took place.
Over the course of 30 classes, we learned everything from hand sewing techniques for beadwork and embroidery to making armour out of chain mail and EVA foam.
In our Introduction to Beadwork class, we learned the basic stitches and bead combinations for making designs based on Egyptian belly dance costumes.
Our classroom was set up with side by side screens so that participants could watch techniques in real time while also having helpful diagrams and example photos to refer to. It worked out brilliantly!
We also learned hand embroidery techniques this way. The woven wheel stitch was a favourite among participants, but Herringbone is my stitch of choice!
In our chain mail class, we practiced knitting with pliers and aluminum rings. Everyone came away knowing how to knit traditional European 4-in-1 for armour and spiral chains for bracelets or jewelry.
We also learned how to get started on your very first cosplay project, and what tools, techniques and materials you need to make armour and props out of EVA foam. Although foam can'take a while to master, making amazing props and armour is cheaper and easier than you think!
Our classes on horn making and wearable LEDs were great fun for kids and adults alike. The two classes worked together so that participants could make a floral headband with lights, a set of horns or both together.
I loved seeing all the creativity in the different shapes of horns and antlers that people came up with. We even had some unicorns!
For participants wanting to learn to sew, we also had classes on sewing different kinds of bags. This little Caroline Clutch was a great beginner project for everyone.
For Halloween, we also made these adorable shark-shaped loot bags. All this one needs is a button for an eye!
In 2019, I’ll be back to teaching props and costuming with the Toronto Steampunk Society at various fan conventions in Toronto. I am already confirmed for Toronto Comicon and Fan Expo Canada, with more conventions to be announced soon! You can find the most current information on upcoming class dates and times on my Instagram and Facebook pages.
You will also be able to find me at the Fabrication Studio working on my cosplays and dance costumes for 2019! If you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, the North York Central Library has a fully equipped sewing space that is a crafter’s dream.
In addition to the three sewing machines, ironing board, and work tables, there is also an embroidery machine that lets you embroider your own designs.
The serger is an extremely useful tool for finishing your seams so they won’t fray. It alone is worth the visit!
There is also a vinyl cutter for printing stickers, stencils, and fabric transfers. You can work on your design next door at the Digital Innovation Hub.
And don’t forget the Sewing Judy for making or testing out your pattern!
If you’ve never sewn before, you might like to take a class in Sewing Basics or on one of the beginner projects offered. Before using the serger and embroidery machines, you also need to take a class for each to make sure you know all the correct set up instructions and safety precautions. I highly recommend checking out the full list of classes available at the Fabrication Studio, since more are offered all the time!
I hope this look at our work at the Fabrication Studio has inspired you to go out and start your own projects. For now, I will say both farewell and see you soon! It has been a great honour being your first ever Innovator in Residence in Textiles, and a pleasure working with all of the people who came to learn and make. My deepest thanks go to the staff at North York Central Library, the Digital Innovation Hubs, and the Fabrication Studio for hosting me and making this one of the best experiences of my life.
And to you all: go forth and create!
Best wishes always,
Tess Jewell
Innovator in Residence in Textiles, Fall 2018
“Hey Alexa, play me the Beastie Boys.” “Ok Google, find me a good Christmas present for a 14 yr. old girl who collects Star Wars figures.” “Greg? Greg, it appears your milk is past its expiry date. Please consider buying fresh.” – said your ‘smart’ refrigerator to you one morning. This would be even more weird if your name was something other than Greg. And the mother-of-all-smart-devices that most moviegoers in North America will remember: “I’m sorry Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
These are all (*mostly*, HAL is better called an artificial intelligence. We’ll get to the difference) examples of the Internet of Things: that nebulous cloud of appliances, tools, and ‘non-computer’ devices of all kinds that are connected to the Internet. These connections bring some benefits – they would have to, or nobody would bring those products into their homes. And clearly, the sale of such smart speakers like the Amazon Echo (Alexa’s ‘home’ if you will) alone tells us that people love their Orwellian-surveillance-masked-as-digital-assistants. Add these sales to the already-massive sales of smart home thermostats like the Nest and people in their millions have, knowingly or not, invited big Tech companies into their In-Real-Life homes and spaces.
Before the IoT came into the mainstream, people’s digital lives were scrutinized by advertisers and big Tech companies through our phones and computers and browsing habits. Now, our physical lives are too. My sarcasm aside, numerous writers have remarked on the security and privacy implications of this technological trend.
Behind all of the apparen't benefits (colour me unimpressed if the principle thing these devices can do is tell me my lettuce has spoiled. Don’t people ever LOOK in their fridges???) of these devices lurks the promise of ‘artificial intelligence.’ More rightly called machine learning, these IoT devices routinely ‘learn’ from their users’ habits. Every time the user interacts with the device, the data generated by that interaction gets pushed through a complicated algorithm that can'then make a prediction of future behavior based on the data it has received up to then.
That’s why Alexa gets better at suggesting music to you after you’ve talked to it for a few months. That’s why Ok Google gets better at gift ideas for teenage girls with collection urges – it’s taken in the spending habits of literally billions of purchases and mapped them by geography, demography, and a thousand other factors. All of these devices ‘intelligence’ is the accumulation of peoples’ activities. And we don’t always know what these devices are collecting, how they are storing it, and who ultimately owns that data, and what can'that owner legally do with it.
The Glass Room Experience (IoT edition) invites us to explore that hidden relationship in greater detail. A partnership between Tactical Tech and the Mozilla Foundation, the Glass Room Experience is available at Toronto Public Library for a limited time. On now at Annette St Library until Friday Dec 7th, then at Woodside Square library until New Year’s Eve, this interactive art installation invites users to scrutinize big Tech and the IoT in much the same way that those entities are scrutinizing us. And like all good exposés, it offers users something to do with their new-found awareness through a Data Detox Kit.
Come into the Glass Room this year, and make 2019 the year you know more about the privacy trade-offs you make so as to avoid having to flick through your mp3 collection, or smell your lettuce.
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Cosplay – or costume play – is a popular way to show your love for a television show, video game, comic book, or other franchise by dressing up as a favourite character. For newcomers, though, starting such a big project can seem intimidating. Where do you begin? Whether you’re a novice starting your first cosplay or a seasoned crafter looking to learn a new skill, the Library has resources to set you on your way.
If you’ve never sewn before or want to brush up on your skills, Sewing for Dummies by Janice Saunders Maresh is a great place to start. This hands-on guide to sewing basics includes step-by-step instructions and illustrations, advice on selecting the right tools and materials, and beginner projects to help you test out techniques. Even experienced costumers can benefit from this book’s chapter on avoiding common sewing mistakes.
If you have a good handle on the sewing basics but need help transforming concept art into a finished costume, then Gillian Conahan’s The Hero's Closet: Sewing for Cosplay and Costuming is the book for you. Conahan provides advice on the entire cosplay creation process, from selecting and researching a character design to choosing patterns and making alterations. Her section on choosing the right fabric for your costume will help give your costume an authentic, high quality feel.
Some cosplays call for fabrics with gradients or patterns that can’t be found in store, but dyeing them at home can be easier than you think. A Beginner's Guide to Dyeing and Sewing by Clémentine Lubin provides step-by-step instructions and illustrations for 12 different dyeing techniques that can be done by hand or in the microwave or washing machine. She also gives advice on working with print fabrics and proper washing techniques to preserve your dye. A wide selection of sewing projects will help you practice both your sewing and dyeing skills at the same time.
Cosplay is about a lot more than just sewing or roleplaying existing characters. Kristie Good’s Epic Cosplay Costumes: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making and Sewing Your Own Costume Designs teaches you how to create your own original designs using sewing techniques as well as armour making with EVA foam and thermoplastics. Good covers the convention aspect of cosplay as well, with guidance on surviving costume competitions and posing for photos. If you’re not sold on it yet, you’ll also love this book’s comic book style design.
The Kamui Cosplay books by Svetlana Quindt are some of my personal favourites for learning new techniques, particularly for designing, building, and painting armour. The Costume Making Guide: Creating Armor & Props for Cosplay is a great introduction to this side of cosplay, with instructions on working with EVA foam and Worbla to make full armour sets and props. For guides on specific cosplay builds or techniques, you can also check out her YouTube video tutorials.
For more ways to make cosplay props and armour, I strongly recommend Make: Props and Costume Armor by master prop builder Shawn Thorsson. In addition to EVA foam armour, Thorsson covers techniques for molding and casting, sculpting, 3D printing, and painting components to create realistic props and accessories. This book is a useful guide for any budget – it even it even has a section on using the free Pepakura softare to build paper models that can be printed out and used with foam.
Creating props and design elements with 3D printing is another great way to perfect your cosplay. Although this book expects you to have some prior knowledge of 3D printers and simple 3D modeling, Samuel N. Bernier’s Design for 3D Printing: Scanning, Creating, Editing, Remixing, and Making in Three Dimensions has everything you need to go from beginner to pro. With this book, you will discover how to remix other people’s models and design your own from scratch using free professional design tools.
The popularity of resin casting for making gems and light-up crystals in cosplay makes Sherri Haab’s The Art of Resin Jewelry: Layering, Casting, and Mixed Media Techniques for Creating Vintage to Contemporary Designs another useful resource. This book focuses on jewelry making including bracelets, rings, and earrings, so you can also use its techniques to create that special ring or amulet your character wears. For embedding lights into your resin gems, I also recommend Svetlana Quindt’s The Book of Cosplay Lights: Getting Started with LEDs.
You can also use LEDs in props to create cool science-fiction gadgets or mystical wizard staves. John Baichtal’s LED Project Handbook includes ten different projects to help you learn how to connect circuits and write code to make pulsing lights and other effects.
Finally, no cosplay is complete without the right hairstyle or wig. Buying a high quality wig is a good start, but you also need to know how to style it. Wig Making and Styling: A Complete Guide for Theatre and Film by Martha Ruskai covers everything you need to know, from beginner techniques to cutting, dyeing, or even making your own wig from scratch. For advice on specific wigs or anime hairstyles, you can also check out online tutorials such as Arda Wigs Canada’s video series.
With all of these books at your fingertips, you’ll be well on your way to making an epic costume.
If you don't have your own sewing machine or crafting tools, why not check out the Fabrication Studio at North York Central Library? They also offer free classes for beginners.
Go forth and cosplay!
Interested in audio recording? Which Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is right for you?
by Michael Chambers
Audio recording is more accessible than ever. However, choosing which software to use can feel intimidating. In fact, there are more options than ever before – and choosing the software that best suits your needs can feel like trying to find your way out of a maze. Fortunately, there are three very good – yet different – options available for you to use at the Toronto Public Library’s Digital Innovation Hubs: Logic Pro X, Ableton Live and REAPER.
Ask yourself, what are my goals? Do you want to record and edit a podcast? Are you a singer-songwriter who wants to record your voice and guitar? Or are you an aspiring producer looking for the best way to make beats? The answer to those questions will help point you in the right direction for choosing your software. The best software for you will depend on what you want to do. You may also be influenced by what your friends are using, especially if you’re planning on collaborating.
If you’re a Mac user, you already have GarageBand on your computer. If you’ve been considering making the leap to Logic, why not spend some time learning what Logic can do at the library. Logic Pro is a one-stop-shop that comes with all the effects, loops, and virtual instruments you’ll need to make some great sounding recordings.
Best for: Music production
Pros:
Cons:
Ableton Live is one of the most powerful beat making and remix tools available. If you’re into beat making (any genre from EDM to hip-hop) this might be your best choice. In addition to being a great studio tool, Ableton Live can be used like an instrument allowing users to ‘perform’ their mix in real time.
Best for: Beat making and remixing
Pros:
Cons:
REAPER is professional level recording, editing, and mixing software without all the virtual instruments and audio loops that come with programs like Ableton Live or Logic Pro. That being said, it comes with all the effects you need to get started. With a download size similar to a high-quality mp3 file (the Windows version is only 11MB), it’s incredibly lean, powerful software. If you want lots of virtual instruments and loops, you’ll need to get those separately.
Best for: Audio editing, music production, podcasting
Pros:
Cons:
There are certainly many options to choose from, but these three are available for you to try out at the library. Why not book some time at your local Digital Innovation Hub and check them out? Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and REAPER are available at Agincourt, Albion, Fort York, North York Central Library, Richview and Toronto Reference Library.
Michael Chambers is the Innovator in Residence at the Richview Digital Innovation Hub.
The following is an excerpt from Let's Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right
There’s something magical about using sounds to paint a picture in people’s minds. Just like the intimacy of radio, when audio storytelling is done right, people are transported. They feel connected to the voice speaking to them and invested in the story being told. Sounds can paint any picture, create any landscape and jump from one location to another with seamless transitions. Audio storytelling is a true art and sharing this type of art is now easier than ever.
Back in 2005, the editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary chose “podcast” as the Word of the Year. Just over a decade later, podcasts are increasingly popular and have even been referred to as the “new blogging.”
According to Apple, there are more than 1 billion people who have subscribed to a podcast and many find themselves wanting to create their own. The reason? Well it varies: from simply wanting to entertain, to raising awareness about an issue, or even as a method of building a brand.
Social media platforms are adapting to accommodate this love for broadcasting audio, too. Earlier this year, it was reported that Facebook was testing voice clip status updates as a form of “micropodcasting.” This, combined with the increase of cars that have wifi capabilities, means that podcasts are going to be more accessible than ever. It’s not shocking to hear that audiences are now choosing to stream a podcast when they would typically be listening to the radio — it’s a natural progression for podcasts to become a more prominent companion while on the road.
These are just a few examples of how audio storytelling is one of the most versatile ways of reaching audiences where they’re at. If it’s not in the car, it’s through headphones on the train, while on a run or even while falling asleep. In a culture where the most valuable thing is time, podcasting allows people to be entertained, work on their professional development or catch up on the news in a simple, efficient way.
Download Transcript (PDF) of Meet Amanda Cupido – Toronto Public Library's Innovator in Residence.
I'll be hosting workshops in the library to help people learn how to interview, edit and produce their own podcasts. Check out the full list of workshops if you're itching to hit record. If you're not interested in making one, but you love to just listen, then check out the listening parties and panel events as well!
In my recent post, I wrote about how to consider your own actions online, and how to go about addressing the concerns created by those actions – that’s a long-winded way of saying I wrote about Threat Assessment. This time, let’s look at one kind of ‘threat’:
These examples all share one thing in common: they all want a way to browse the internet without their activities being mapped back to them. That is, they all need a way to browse anonymously.
In a typical browsing situation, different organizations handle a user’s website request: the internet service provider (ISP), the owner of the local computer, the IT management of the local network, and others. All those handlers can see what the user is asking for. Additionally, anyone else with access to the website (such as advertisers who pay to have their trackers on that website, other ‘data aggregators’ like Facebook and Google, etc.) can see the user’s location, what browser and operating system they use, and other information.
Tor Browser prevents this by bouncing the users’ request through three encrypted relays around the world, before it reaches the destination web site. Think of it as writing a letter and sealing it in three successive envelopes, each with a different address. The first recipient (relay) opens the 1st envelope and sends the letter on to the 2nd recipient, who opens the 2nd envelope and sends the letter on to the 3rd address.
It is only the third addressee (that opens the final envelope) who learns what the sender (user) actually wants. The 3rd relay sends the request, and the website sends the page back through the same circuit, so the website doesn’t know where the user comes from either.
Tor Browser does a lot of things and is used by many different people. It’s not a one-tool-for-every-problem, as no single technology is that. It is a great start to making your online life more private.
At TPL, we defend your right to read whatever you want to and to think whatever you want to about what you’ve read. That’s called intellectual freedom, and it is a necessary element of any democratic society, and any innovative culture or enterprise. It’s essential even to basic creativity. In this age of mass surveillance, defending intellectual freedom is not only a policy question (and we have a lot of that!), but a technological one as well.
We want the public to try out Tor Browser, so we made it available on public PC’s for a trial period. Come on up to North York Central Library and give it a go.
How many of you like Beyonce? What about Imagine Dragons? AC DC? Rachmaninoff???
It's pretty likely that nobody reading this will like ALL of them, or even ANY of them.
The point is: while pretty much everyone likes "music", no two people's specific combination of likes and dislikes is identical. This is analogous to people's lives online; we share a pseudo-common experience insofar as we are all on the Internet, but our specific combination of activities, and the concerns raised by those activities, can differ widely (and the Internet we experience itself can be wildly different, but that's a whole other blog post…). As a result, the tools and practices this author deploys to lock down my digital privacy are likely different than anyone reading this.
A threat model is our understanding of the threats we face, and the steps we can'take to mitigate those threats.
For teens with their first smart phone, paren'ts and teachers loom large in their threat model. For political activists, threats would include undercover police, provocateurs, rival organizations/parties, etc. For lawyers, religious leaders, physicians, psychotherapists, and others who may hold career-destroying information on their clients (or faithful, as the case may be) a high level of built-in security and privacy technology is a must, as the consequences of failure are unacceptably high.
When you consider threats online (or 'risks', if threats sounds too…uh, threatening), ask yourself: What do I need to protect (assets)? From whom to I need to protect it (adversaries)? How likely is an "attack" (or how capable is that threat?) (capabilities)? What is the worst outcome if I fail to protect (consequences)? How much trouble am I willing to put up with the protect whatever-I-am-protecting (actions)? Your answers will vary, and will change over time as security and online privacy are not one-of acts: they are a process.
Your answers will determine your course of action: you may choose to use a VPN, to browse with Tor browser, to stop particular activities on certain devices (I don't bank through my mobile phone, for example, though I do bank online), to use encrypting messaging or VOIP apps, or change all your passwords. You may choose all of these things, or none of them.
This may feel overwhelming, so please remember: you are not alone.
If this blog motivates you to do only one thing, let it be this: Join us at North York Central Library on Saturday Sept 22nd from 10am-4pm for TPL's Digital Privacy Expo. It's a full day of informative talks and hands-on demonstrations that promises to answer your questions in a safe community setting, with the guidance of my librarian colleagues.
Registration is open now (for the discussions), while the demo fair takes place all day. We welcome walk-ins to see Tor browser, password managers, encrypted communications apps, diceware passwords, privacy-enhancing browser extensions, and possibly even a TAILS demo. See you there!
Click and hold your left mouse button while moving your mouse in any direction over the image above to move within this environment.
Grade Five students visited the Toronto Reference Library's Digital Innovation Hub for a hands-on lesson about Virtual Reality (VR) Website Design. The work featured above was done by their teacher and includes a photo taken at the Art Gallery of Ontario's "Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors" exhibition combined with a video wrapped around the floating cube. Students learned to code and design VR content in HTML. These images can be fully experienced in a 360º environment using a Head Mounted Display, such as Google Cardboard, Google Daydream or HTC Vive. Check out the students’ creations in their works in their online gallery.
Another example of the students's work is featured in this GIF.
VR technology is now used to simulate the dangers of distracted driving, with dementia patients to trigger memory and VR can be employed as a tool for empathy in VR films that provide an immersive experience to help us understand other's perspectives.
A list of upcoming workshops using VR technology in the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) and Pop Up Learning Labs (PULLs) can be found upcoming workshops using VR and class visits to the Digital Innovation Hubs can be arranged by contacting one of the Hubs by email. See this link for more details about class and group visits the DIHs.
Youth 13-19, develop key digital literacy and coding skills!
• Learn skills to become informed digital citizens
• Learn HTML code and how to create web pages
• Experiment with online platforms to build unique projects
Free workshop for beginners. Laptop provided.
When
Mondays & Thursdays
September 10 – October 18, 4 to 5:30 pm
Where
578 Finch Avenue West
416-395-5490
Register Now
Space is limited. Register here starting August 9, 2018.
Special Thanks
Digitally Lit(erate) is presented with the support of Brookfield Institute of Entrepreneurship + Innovation.
The Pop Up Learnings Labs, a program now just over two years old, are an awesome addition to the innovation services running throughout the vast Toronto Public Library network. They help provide access to new and innovative technologies in areas that may be a far from one of the permanent Digital Innovation Hubs by bringing varying tech related hardware and software, along with experienced Digital Design Technicians, to smaller neighbourhood branches of the city for one month at a time.
These roving technology kits provide free classes and programming for all ages in a huge variety of topics, including 3D printing, coding, electronics and robotics, and various media editing software, aiming to spread digital literacy to every corner of Toronto.
Some of the most fun months include the summers (July and August), when the Pop Up Learning Labs deliver free STEM Camps aimed at introducing kids to every possible aspect of a digital tech curriculum. The STEM Camps run for a full week with the same group of kids, using laptops, iPads, electronics kits and different kinds of robots to teach different topics every day.
This is an amazing opportunity for children to not only learn something new, but work in teams of peers to hone digital literacy skills that they will be using for the rest of their lives! Itʼs always amazing seeing what the kids have created at the end of just a week, including some of the things pictured below.
Learning how to code using Scratch, a block-based coding app
Participant-designed 3D printed figurines
Kids learning how to control Lego Mindstorms robots using code
Toronto Public Library is committed to supporting older adults in becoming digitally literate. We plan, design and promote opportunities to learn about technologies that enhance daily living and social inclusion. Our classes, workshops and one-on-one sessions aim to bridge the digital divide and build confidence in accessing information, services and general learning.
We know that many people need to work later in life, but face real challenges if their job skills do not match the requirements of today’s markets. Job seekers need to learn how to use the common technology tools of today, and update those skills as technology advances.
Last fall we partnered with Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS) to offer workshops to help older job-seekers (45 years+) update their skills. TPL provides access to job-searching workshops, computer and library training classes, and more recently, a suite of valuable eLearning resources that support skills training. The workshops had one focus: eLearning resources.
What are eLearning resources? They are free, easily accessible online training resources that can help update job skills, particularly technology-related skills. Through courses such as Lynda.com, Gale Courses and Brain Fuse, job-seekers with a valid TPL card can register online, learn at their own pace and convenience, wherever internet access is available, and develop greater confidence in skills that are required in today’s job market.
* Lynda.com offers over 3,500 video tutorial courses led by experts on web design, software development, photography, business skills, home and small office, project management, 3D + Animation, graphic design audio, music, video editing and more.
* Gale Courses are more structured and offer a wide range of highly interactive, instructor-led courses that you can'take entirely online. Courses run for six weeks and new sessions begin every month. Topics range from Microsoft Office skills to accounting, graphic design, business writing and more.
* Brain Fuse is another amazing resource. It offers LIVE one-to-one academic coaching, Microsoft Office help, and skill building in its Adult Learning Centre.
Four sessions were held last fall and we reached over 100 job-seekers. What did they have to say? Read some of the feedback:
1. What I like most about the event was….
Very useful resources
All the information was clear and easy to understand
It was organized. Well put together. It gave me information to move forward
Close to my home. Lots of materials/handouts. Very informative
Staff were warm, welcoming and set a friendly atmosphere
2. Recommendations for improvement…
More workshops
Please continue with this program on a more frequent basis. It will help people like me to improve on my job search
We are partnering with TESS again on May 31, Digital Literacy Day. There will be a morning session at Albion Branch and an afternoon session at Cedarbrae Branch. Just bring your valid Toronto Public Library card and join us – you’ll want to explore these resources right away.
The article was posted on behalf of Laura Arrizza, Senior Services Specialist, Older Adult Services
It is truly amazing the world we live in, with all the different technology that we now have access to. Sure, the latest iPhone and gaming systems are great fun, but what’s even more impactful is the hardware and software that gives the power to anyone to develop anything in their imagination. We now live in a world where we can purchase at a low-cost point, all the tools and components to develop prototype hardware using something, for example, like an Arduino.
What is an Arduino? It is an open source hardware and software platform for micro-controllers that enables you to easily connect input like sensors, buttons and dials and process that information with the program you create. You can connect many different outputs like a light emitting diode, LCD screen, speaker and even a massive motor if you choose and control it based on what you told the Arduino to do. Did I mention it is cheap?
Want to make your own music synthesizer? Sure! Want to make something that will self-water your plants? Yes! Want to create a robot? All possible! You have an idea, you can'try to make it and prototype it with an Arduino. This is great for anyone with an amazing idea but who is not an expert in electronics. From young to old, from beginner to expert, an Arduino is a tool to have fun, experiment or create a new innovative product. At the library, we have seen so many cool Arduino projects from art to a user-controlled prosthetic arm, so who knows what you can create.
Even better, Toronto Public Library now has Arduino kits available to take home for a three-week period to help anyone gain access to this technology.
There are a beginner, intermediate and advanced Arduino kits available from the Digital Innovation Hubs at the Agincourt, Albion, Downsview, Fort York, North York Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre and Toronto Reference Library locations.
Each kit has multiple projects in a manual you can follow, with all the required components.
May 31 is Digital Literacy Day and we want teens to celebrate this access with our program Introduction to Arduino for Teens at the Toronto Reference Library.
This program will teach the very basics of how to dive into the Arduino world, and then your team will have to successfully complete as many projects as you can in a one-hour period for a chance to win prizes. There will also be free food and drinks for the participants to help fuel your fun and learning.
I can't wait to see all the teens playing with the Arduino for the first time, along with the more experienced users.
This article was posted on behalf of Digital Design Technician, James Topping.
If you’re a teen or a millennial like me, you grew up with technology all around you – from the very beginnings of the Internet to all the “smart” phones/watches/things we now use on the daily.
As a result, there’s this common misconception that the youngest person is always the most digitally literate. And while sometimes that is the case, if we’re being honest, there are times when we don’t have all the answers as to why your eBook isn’t showing up on your eReader!
Being digitally literate doesn’t just mean knowing how to use a computer – it means so much more than that. It means being able to know how to use tech, use troubleshooting and problem solving skills when bugs arise, think critically about the implications of our online actions, and to know how to share our projects digitally. Toronto Public Library feels that this so important that we’ve teamed up with the City of Toronto and other partnered communities and organizations to celebrate Digital Literacy Day on May 31, 2018 by hosting programs that showcase our digital and technology resources and staff expertise.
For youth in particular, Youth Hubs are a great safe space for all youth 13-19 to try out new tech. Youth Hubs run in the library after school and many of the activities make use of the technology that the Youth Hub owns, including laptops, gaming consoles, digital cameras, DJ equipment, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets and more!
Getting Started with Java Using Alice at York Woods Branch
A workshop for individuals with little or no programming experience, instructors will teach basic Java programming concepts through developing 3-D animations in Alice 3.1. Presented by Oracle.
Digital Literacy Day with Nia Technologies at Runnymede Branch
Learn how digital tools like a 3D printer or Virtual Reality can improve the lives of young people with disabilities. Presented by Nia Technologies.
Interactive Fiction for Teens with Twine at Port Union Branch
Create your own interactive fiction using Twine, an open-source hypertext storytelling tool.
Hack a Computer at Centennial Branch
Literally hack into a computer by disassembling it to see its different parts and how a computer works. Presented by Free Geek Toronto.
If you can’t make it out for Digital Literacy Day, check out these other programs that may tickle your tech fancy:
What the Tech?! Code a Bot at Bloor/Gladstone Branch
Learn to program a two-wheeled robot using an Arduino microtroller. Part of the larger What the Tech series.
Girlz Got Skillz – STEM Program at Malvern Branch
Just for teen girls, design and create innovative solutions with Technovation Academy of Science and Technology.
Digital Literacy + Coding at Centennial Branch
Design and build websites, apps and more using code. A two-week summer intensive presented in partnership with Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship.
Don’t forget to share how you’re keeping digitally lit by tagging us on social media!
This article is posted on behalf of Youth Hub Librarian Teresa Leung.
To celebrate Digital Literacy Day, we are hosting a Let's Learn Tech IoT Lab at Toronto Reference Library!
At this 2-hour beginner workshop, participants will gain hands-on experience in Raspberry Pi and Arduino. They will learn about the Let's Learn Tech Online program and career options in IoT. The workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about IoT and no prior experience is required. An instructor from George Brown College will lead the lab and participants will work alongside in groups with facilitators.
This workshop is adapted from the lab exercise of the Introduction to IoT course, as part of the Let's Learn Tech Online program. Since launching the program in March, over 380 learners have participated in these free and interactive courses.
Three courses are available:
Introduces you to the Internet of Things (IoT) and the challenges of the transformational IoT economy.
Teaches you about different types of cyber attacks, measures organizations use to mitigate risks and career options in cybersecurity.
Shows you the fundamentals of Linux and 19 basic commands. This course can also help you prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam.
Happy learning!
Northern District Branch celebrates Digital Literacy Day on May 31 with our Binary Code Bracelets for Kids program. Toronto Public Library joins the City of Toronto and partners in the academic, arts, corporate and non-profit communities to commemorate the inaugural Digital Literacy Day by hosting programs that showcase our digital and technology resources and staff expertise.
An important part of digital literacy is knowing how our technology works. Most of our technology relies on electricity, data and the storage of information. An understanding binary code can remove some of the mystery from computers, because they are fundamentally machines that work using a binary system of on and off switches. Data is stored and read by computers in the same way, whether it is an image, a sound, text or the information on your DVD. Software decodes the binary information that is stored and displays the result in a form we can understand and use.
The Binary Code Bracelets for Kids program offers children (ages 6 and up) an opportunity to learn about binary code by encoding their names using the ASCII code that computers use. Instead of using real on/off switches or zeros and ones, children will use two different coloured beads to string out their names. One colour will represent the on switch or a 'one,' and the other colour will represent the off switch or a 'zero.' The longer your name, the longer your bracelet, or you can'turn it into a necklace.
This simple name coding activity introduces children to concepts like binaries, bits and bytes, which are fundamental to how computers work. It is fun to learn about coding without using a computer. Plus, you get to take home what you make.
While you are here, check out one of our other Digital Literacy Day programs at Northern District Branch or enjoy one of more than 110 free events offered across the City of Toronto. Can't make it out to a program? Check out titles from our Digital Literacy Day Reading List, a small sampling of our massive collection of tech-related books for children and adults.
Digital Literacy Day is May 31. As part of this special day, Agincourt branch is hosting a variety of events to engage and encourage all customers from different interests and skill levels.
The Adobe Creative Suite is one of the most powerful and popular set of applications that have ever been offered. If you're interested in photo editing, creating a logo/flyer or composing a song or film, then this suite is for you. As part of this great day, Agincourt staff have created a useful class, Intro to Adobe Creative Suite, to showcase some of the common tools in each of the following applications:
Photoshop – Photo enhancement and editing
Illustrator – create logos and draw designs
InDesign – create works such as posters, flyers, brochures and more
Premiere – create and edit a video project
If you’ve heard of Adobe before, but never understood what application does what, come in and check out what the Adobe Creative Suite can do for you.
If you can’t make it on Digital Literacy Day, feel free to learn and explore these awesome programs by swinging by a Digital Innovation Hub, checking out Lynda.com tutorials or taking a class with us. Some of the classes are one-time learning opportunities and some are multi-part classes where you can learn and develop from class to class.
Another interesting and hands-on workshop is the Tetra Ryerson: Exoskeleton Workshop. Attendees learn how to build their own robotic exoskeleton and find out about the history and importance of robotic exoskeletons, current technology, how they are built, as well as their various applications. They will be able to simultaneously apply this knowledge while building an actual robotic exoskeleton consisting of 3D printed parts, motors, sensors and other equipment. By the end of the workshop, participants will gain an understanding of Arduino programming, 3D-part design, physical disabilities, biomedical signals, and video-game rehabilitation.
Presented by Tetra Ryerson, a student run group that works with the North American Society of Tetra. This workshop is sponsored by Ryerson University Library & Archives in celebration of Digital Literacy Day.
Digital Literacy Day should be a great day. We hope to see you.
Have fun!!
Greg
Almost two billion people have accounts on Facebook. More than 40 million of those rely on Facebook’s basic services to access the Internet. Facebook owns the most-heavily-used messaging service in the world (WhatsApp – with over a billion installs), as well as the most popular ‘photo-sharing’ platform in Instagram – over 800 million active users. And this past week, Facebook announced they are launching a dating service, and with 1.4 billion daily users, who knows? Maybe the platform will actually prove to be the best place to find a date.
Lest I sound like Facebook’s marketing department, it is also worth noting that, in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica data harvesting scandal that broke in March, Facebook was forced to do a couple of things it had hitherto balked at: testifying before Congress (which ended up mostly as theatre, rather than provoking substantive change), and apologizing to its users. None of this however, stopped it raking in more money than ever. In a moment of karmic irony, the company whose name most everybody had never heard of before March – Cambridge Analytica – is closing down. Many aggrieved users will get cold comfort from this turn of events.
People all over the world use social media (and internet tools more generally) to organize their communities to do things differently. While everyone everywhere is under internet surveillance, in some parts of the world, that surveillance brings with it harassment, arrest and worse. In those places, good digital security practice is not a ‘nice to have’ as we may think of it here, but it is a ‘must have’. That knowledge can be taught, and two such digital security trainers will be in Toronto in May, speaking at your local library about these very issues!
In collaboration with AccessNow and the annual RightsCon conference, we are hosting two ‘digital activists’ on Tuesday May 15th, at Lillian
H. Smith and Parkdale branches. Join us and discuss what we can all do, individually and collectively, to move towards a social media landscape (and an IRL landscape!) in which we can all thrive.
Even if you don’t feel under immediate threat, perhaps it is time to renegotiate the terms of those contracts that we never read when we click OK on the ‘terms and conditions of use’? Let’s start by assuming that anything posted on any social media site is akin to standing on a street corner and yelling about it as loud as you can. Doing that would get rid of the vagueblogs and most of the other annoying updates at a stroke. More importantly, it would give the poster a moment’s pause – which is often all we need to clarify:
Your answers will vary according to what you are doing, but asking those questions is key to having a healthier relationship with social media (and with the massive companies for whom you are working when you use their ‘free’ services).
Following on from that, individuals can consider their own account settings and privacy options. These are byzantine by design, so prepare yourself. Settings will vary by device, and by service. Take the time to lock yours down.
Then ask the question: why are they designed to be so difficult for the user? Organize 10,000 of your closest friends to ask the same questions, at the same time, on the streets of your town and things will change. 😉
On Thursday, April 19th, we are very excited to host and take part in the next Toronto Music Technology Meetup led by Alan Cross, an internationally recognized musicologist and host of the world’s longest-running music radio documentary, The Ongoing History of New Music.
This MeetUp is for anyone interested in music, technology and where the two intersect. It’s the perfect place for music industry professionals, enthusiasts and curious individuals alike to mingle, make connections and learn from each other. We’ll also be celebrating Record Store Day a little early with a vinyl listening station provided by NAD electronics.
The library will be showcasing many of the music related services, workshops, events and collections available for free in our branches. You’ll learn about the Digital Innovation Hubs, that lead the way with access to music tech equipment such as Ableton’s Push controller, MIDI keyboards, microphones and recording/editing software such as Adobe Audition and Logic Pro X. It’s not all about the digital tech, as we’ll also share information about the long-running Make Some Noise concert series, the Toronto Reference Library’s amazing vinyl collection, and more!
Please join us at the Toronto Reference Library in the Browsery and Atrium for an evening of music, tech and networking. Not only will you meet some great people and learn about the wide variety of music resources offered at your library, light refreshments will be available during the check-in period, between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. Presentations will run from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, followed by networking and a visit to the TRL Digital Innovation Hub. All are welcome at this free event but please RSVP here if you plan to attend.
Have you ever bought a USB charger and been elated over the good price? The downside is that you may have purchased a device that might damage your phone, laptop or any device that requires a USB.
The potential dangers of a faulty USB charger include the following:
A small USB charger contains the following components. All of the components play a vital role in charging your device safely.
Transformer: an apparatus for reducing or increasing the voltage of an alternating current.
Capacitor: a device used to store an electric charge, consisting of one or more pairs of conductors separated by an insulator.
Diode: a semiconductor device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only.
Resistor: a passive electrical component used to create resistance in the flow of electric current.
Optocoupler: a component that transfers electrical signals between two isolated circuits by using light.
Power transistor: a three terminal semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and electrical power.
Figure #1 below is an inexpensive USB charger. All of the components seem fine but look closely at the red wires next to the casing. The red electrical wires have burned out, causing a small explosion. Your next question is probably why did this happen.
What may have happened to the charger
A faulty transformer (purple wrapping in Figure #1) can cause a mini explosion. A transformer is made up of fine copper wire that is wound around a plastic core. There are two types of copper wire: primary wire and secondary wire. The primary and secondary wire never touch one another and each layer of wire needs to be sealed with electrical tape. If the wires come into contact with one another, it can potentially send 120 volts to your device or yourself, small USB chargers should be a maximum of five volts. Figure 2 shows how a transformer looks inside.
Figure #2 Copyright: Wikipedia
Grounding issue. This is due to a failure of another part, such as components that bridge high voltage to low voltage. Separation between the high and low components can make a difference. This can also cause the case of the charger to carry a voltage thus causing an electric shock.
Components are too close together. Circuit board has small lines of copper that connect various components; this is called tracing, as shown by the dark and light green paint, see Figure #3. If you follow the lines, it will show you how the power flows through the board. On the other side of the circuit board, see Figure #1, the components are placed over the tracing and soldered in place. If the components are placed too close together, it could potentially spark in between, sending high voltage power to the metal casing of the device.
Figure #3
Incorrect voltage labeled on the device. The device is labeled a higher amount of power but the components can only handle half of the amount. An example is if a charger is rated two amps but the components can only handle a fraction of that, the outcome results in overheating. Incorrect voltage can also result in your charger taking too long to charge your device.
Voltage spikes can also be an issue. This is due to the device not having proper filtering for the power. This can cause stress to the device you are charging and damage or reduce the life span of the battery.
What makes a better charger?
Better USB chargers have Control Circuitry (Control IC). Control IC prevents your device from overcharging. They also will have better design and manufacturing that adheres to consumer electrical safety laws such as correct spacing in electric traces, correct filter capacitors, internal fuses, higher quality transformers and many more features.
It is also best to buy what the manufacturer recommends. You may spend more money but the result is safer for both you and the device you want to charge. Always look for the UL symbol on a charger. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratory and it is a certified device.
Be wary of where you are purchasing your device, even for laptop chargers or other inexpensive charging devices. Buy from a reputable source and if the price is too good to be true, then it could be of poor quality.
At the time of writing this blog, Health Canada initiated a recall of USB chargers known to be dangerous.
Resources
New York Times Circuits: How electronic things work
Electronic all-in-one for dummies
After taking our 3D Certification Class many people ask the Digital Innovation Hub staff members, “What can I 3D print?” Because the possibilities are almost endless it can be quite daunting! Previously, we’ve suggested some neat tools and clever storage containers as well as holiday ornaments. How about some helpful accessories for your laptop or phone? There are thousands of free designs to choose from on websites such as Thingiverse and YouMagine. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Worried about your Macbook charger fraying? Protect it with a guard. The guard design used on our chargers was created by bfince and downloaded from Thingiverse. What about your phone charger? This USB/micro USB protector could be the right fit for you.
Need more desk space? Store and charge your laptop vertically when it isn’t in use. Many, many, many different stands are available. Here’s an example of a stand for a Macbook air, for a Macbook pro and for a laptop that’s roughly 40mm thick when closed.
If you’re sick of messy and tangled cords, there are clips to wind up your USB/HDMI cables, clips to organize those cables behind your desk , even holders to wrap up your ear buds when they aren’t in your ears to save them from becoming hopelessly tangled in your pocket.
For phone stands, there are elephants, dragons and more designs to pick from. Not to mention all the phone cases that are available. To make sure the cases will fit, try searching by the specific model of your phone.
Around the Digital Innovation Hub at the Toronto Reference Library, we also have pencil holders, SD card holders, hooks and other 3D printed tools as examples of what you can make. Plus, they help us organize our equipment!
Thingiverse and YouMagine are both great resources for pre-designed objects. If you want to craft your own objects but have no 3D design experience you can sign up for a free 3D design class. Classes are available at the Digital Innovation Hubs and also through the Pop-Up Learning Labs. With your library card, you also have access to free online videos, tutorials and courses in 3D design through Lynda.com.
There are also many books available on 3D design, both in print and online. Safari Tech & Business Books Online is a great resource to get started. The contents of the books are searchable, making it easy to find information and answers. Similarly to Lynda.com, Safari Tech & Business Books Online offers video tutorials too.
More information on 3D printing in the library, including a list of upcoming classes, is available through our website.
In the Hub, we’ve also had people print replacement knobs for ovens and dishwashers, prosthetics, camera hoods, door stops (including this one inspired by A Game of Thrones), superhero logos for cufflinks and more. The possibilities are almost endless!
In short, yes. If someone asked you what code is would you know how to answer them? Is coding some foreign concept to you? What if I told you that you are surrounded by code every day of your life; every red light you pull up to, every text message you send, every alarm you set and every microwave dinner you’ve ever heated up? Code is the language of machines and just like us, they can speak many languages.
The big difference is potential, and the limitations of a human versus a computer. According to Statistics Canada, 17.5% of the population reported speaking two languages at home, meaning 82.5% of us either spoke more than two languages or we just settled on one; my guess is it’s the latter. Those who can speak multiple languages are known as polyglots, and the elite polyglots who master double digits of languages are referred to as hyperpolyglots. Being a hyperpolyglot is extraordinary by our standards, but when compared to your average computer which can gather and interpret information in hundreds of different programming languages, we can see there’s a huge gap in performance.
Where’s the silver lining and how can you prepare yourself? Keep an open mind. People have had it really good from the industrial age up until the beginning of the computer age. If you’d like to cash in on this transition yourself, consider a job in data science. As of today's date, there are currently over 4,000 job postings in Ontario listed on indeed; they’re paying much more than minimum wage and demand is only increasing. Consider reading Think like a Data Scientist by Brian Godsey, Introducing Data Science by Davy Cielen or Data Science for Dummies by Lilian Pierson for more background. You can also perform a blanket search using the terms data science or machine learning on the Toronto Public library website.
We are surrounded by machines that perform myriad of tasks ranging from the most basic duties of keeping the fridge running to Artificially Intelligent (AI) bots that are competing with humans at the highest level of trivia, gaming and more. We are getting to the point where we are in less demand for programmers who can code machines and more in demand for researchers, data scientists and machine learning architects who are fine- tuning how to best feed them more data.
The advent of machine learning and automation have now enabled machines to teach themselves, learn from their mistakes and instantly improve in performance. Where one human might make a mistake, learn from it and vow to not do it again, the rest of that person's coworkers and future coworkers have yet to hit that same stumbling block, likely resulting in future mistakes. If an automated bot, powered by machine learning makes an error, it will correct that part of its code and also share it with every one of its identical task performing robot friends, so none of them will ever make that mistake again.
Photo: Created by Iconicbestiary – Freepik.com
There is currently a race going on between the world's biggest tech companies to acquire people who understand AI and who will code the next best automated self-driving car, search engine and fraud detection program. Pretty much everyone is cashing in on AI right now, as it will change the competitive landscape in every business sector. We can see that there is no end in sight for demand of new AI programs and the best that we can do is accept that it is coming. Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has been quoted as saying “the nation that leads in AI will be the ruler of the world” — queue the flight of the Valkyries song now.
I’m going to save the moral and ethical dilemmas of AI for a future post, but I will be the first to say here that there is a lot of good coming with these intelligent machines. Self-driving cars will eliminate the thousands of traffic accidents that occur daily around the globe due to human error. This will make the roads so safe to the point where the only threat becomes human error, thus pushing manual driving to become illegal. Farmers aided by these machines will yield crops more efficiently and at a greater rate than ever before. Banks will know the moment a conman is trying to log into your bank account or purchase something with your information. Transportation routes will be better thought out, quicker and more connected than ever. These are a few examples of thousands where these smart machines will outperform humans to create a better future. The only drawback in this soon to be future is that most human jobs will be the equivalent of the horse and buggy, and the 1908 Ford T model is rolling right around the corner.
To be a part of the discussion or to learn more about artificial intelligence, feel free to sign up for one of our “What is artificial intelligence” programs currently being offered at Downsview Branch. There are also basic coding classes offered at various libraries if you want to try your hand at Adobe Dreamweaver, Robotics, Arduinos and more. If you’re a self learner, the library provides access to Lynda, a database containing over 3,500 video tutorials across a wide range of tech fields including data science, programming and machine learning.
Thanks to Downsview Branch, Digital Innovation Hub | Digital Design Technician: Jorge Guevara
Hey teachers! Are you looking for different ways to incorporate STEM – AKA STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) – into your lesson plans? Benefits of using STEM/STEAM principles in your classroom include: engaging reluctant learners and creating responsible digital citizens.
As part of Toronto Public Library's mandate to support innovation, the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) offer class visits for students. For groups visiting Toronto Reference Library's Innovation Hub, a first visit may include a 3D Printer Certification Workshop where students learn about how 3D printing works, safety around library equipment, where to find open source 3D files on websites like Thingiverse and YouMagine and steps to take files from design to 3D printed model with one of the library's 3D Printers. The 3D Printing and 3D Resources Blog features more helpful information about supported software in our Innovation Hubs.
Follow-up group visits may include "Introduction to 3D Design" using Tinkercad, a 3D design program where users can digitally build 3D objects using primary shapes. Tinkercad’s website features examples of how 3D Printing has been incorporated into everyday learning. During one class visit, Grade 5/6 students from Davisville Public School created 3D designs, using Sculptris, a program where users digitally sculpt 3D objects. Their teacher also reserved time in the Hub's Green Screen Room to 3D scan herself using using Structure Sensor and Software to create a 3D printed selfie (pictured below).
During another class visit, students from McMurrich P.S. were challenged to design and 3D print superheroes!
Class visits to the Digital Innovation Hub are suited to students at all levels from Grade 5 and up. Call 416-393-7007 or send an email to trlinnovationhub@torontopubliclibrary.ca for more information.
If you’re not able to visit us downtown, checkout our Pop Up Learning Labs (PULLS) or contact one of the other Digital Innovation Hubs. One more thing: checkout my colleague Hamid's blog, Branching Out with STEM Books on incorporating STEM/STEAM in your classroom.
With the turning of the New Year, and the miserable weather Toronto gets every January, you might be forgiven for keeping your head nestled firmly under the covers, hoping cold would pass and you could go on, oblivious to the miseries outside the window, and to those lurking inside our computers, too.
Since last I wrote – which isn't really that long ago – we have witnessed the surfacing of data from an Imgur breach (of over a million usernames and passwords), an Ebay account leak that was thankfully patched within days (though still exposed sensitive details of user's purchase histories), and a California data analytics company that lost control of personal information for 120 million (yes, million. With an 'M') households. And then came the Spectre and Meltdown firestorm, which would make many users throw up their hands in disgust and despair. Many of you likely felt like this:
Why bother? Why even try, when huge companies employing millions of dollars of equipment and expertise cannot secure simple things like user names and passwords? In point of fact, popular tech 'blog' Gizmodo was in danger of wearing readers out with endless articles of 'who got hacked today'. So readers can be forgiven for wanting it all to simply go away.
Much like a toothache or health problem that is ignored, it doesn't simply go away. It usually gets worse; in this case, as more and more of our lives are carried out online, as we access services, keep track of our commitments, and socialize near and far, our activities are logged, tracked, analysed, and sold. Routinely without our knowledge, or consent.
What better time than the turning of the new year, to make a commitment to better online health? Start by securing your online accounts using strong passwords, and securing those passwords in a password manager. Check out the new (and fantastic) Security Planner for details, or sign up for a privacy class at your local library.
You can also hide your tracks online using a variety of tools, one of the best of which is the free Tor browser. Originally developed for military use, Tor is browser that bounces your signal through three voluntarily-hosted relays around the world, and wraps your communication in three layers of encryption to obscure it from anyone trying to look in on your activity. It remains one of the most powerful tools for internet anonymity available today.
And lucky for you, in celebration of Data Privacy Day, we are happy to host Tor developer Sukhbir Singh for a free workshop at Toronto Public Library. Mr Singh comes out of the University of Waterloo's Cryptography, Security, and Privacy (CrySP) group, and has been a software developer in the applications and community team of the Tor Project since 2012. He promises a hassle-free, no-question-left-unanswered, hand's on experience with Tor.
So come on out, and learn just how easy it is to use the internet privately! Register in advance if you can, and bring your own devices to get the most out of it.
Start 2018 by telling the Internet giants that they will have to work a lot harder to get what they want from you. See you there.
The holidays are a time for memories, sharing and family, so why not scan some of those precious family photos and send them to family via email, share them online or even have custom photobooks printed as gifts. You may be wondering – how do I get my pictures from these old dusty photo albums into a digital format.
Why not do it yourself right here at the library? Toronto Public Library offers free access to photo, slide and negative scanners across the city in our enhanced Learning Centres and our Digital Innovation Hubs.
While you are there, use Adobe Photoshop to repair and touch up your images before you reprint or share. You could even use video-editing software like Adobe Premiere to combine still images and music into a short video.
In fact, you also have free access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite of software in our six enhanced Learning Centres at:
Cedarbrae
Fairview
Maria A. Shchuka
Northern District
Richview
S. Walter Stewart
and our six Digital Innovation Hubs:
Agincourt
Albion
Downsview
Fort York
Scarborough Civic Centre
Toronto Reference Library
Reserve your workstation at one of the six enhanced Learning Centres online; or telephone to reserve at the Digital innovation Hubs.
It's been some months since we hosted the Toronto-made expose of the Internet, a short documentary named Black Code. The film is inspired by the book of the same name, and the work of its author, Ronald Deibert, the director of local think tank, Citizen Lab. At that time, we felt that Black Code was a helpful (and necessary) counterpoint to a lot of promises from Silicon Valley and the cult(ure) of technology in general: that social media would bring us together, that our technology was secure, and that we are ultimately in control of it.
Since that screening we've witnessed: the Equifax data breach, the acknowledgement of the Uber breach, the weaponization of search algorithms in reducing traffic to websites, and most recently, the apparen't death knell of Net Neutrality. It's been quite a season! Each of these incidents could be the subject of a blog post, essay, case study or university course dealing with how our information world has changed under our feet and without our knowledge or many times, our consent. Thus, Black Code continues to be important viewing, for it remains a critical "examination of the complex global impact that the internet has had on matters of free speech, privacy and activism."
To that end, we are happy to celebrate Computer Science Week and Hour of Code, by showing this excellent work and hosting other Hour of Code activities through the first week of December. Screenings are happening at Bloor/Gladstone, Lillian H. Smith, Barbara Frum, Don Mills, Fairview, Toronto Reference and S. Walter Stewart libraries. TPL is also hosting a variety of Hour of Code programs for children, youth, and adults of all ages, so be sure to spend some time – as the days get shorter and shorter – basking in the halcyon glow of your screens. At the same time, note the dark underbelly that Black Code reveals, and perhaps do a little something about that.
Bring your friends, make a date of it!
It was one year ago that two monumental events shook the ground beneath our feet: In America, a new President ushered in an uncertain and tumultuous period. And closer to home, the library launched its Digital Privacy Initiative! Two events that, while not equal in scale and scope, nonetheless changed our way of looking at the world and our place in it.
Yes, this counts as conflating hyperbole. But…
In the wake of the Equifax breach, the breaking of Wifi security, and lawmakers' continued interest in breaking the cryptography that allows us to bank online (among other things), our digital privacy initiative has only proven more timely than ever.
In the name of digital privacy, the library has offered public education classes across the city, hosted several high-profile public events, and built community awareness of privacy risks, making connections with libraries in North Carolina, New Hampshire, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Seattle, and most recently, New Castle across the pond!
In the months to come, we will be launching a user-centered digital privacy web tool, as well as a podcast series on privacy issues. Upcoming events include a series of film screenings in December, to celebrate Hour of Code, a public talk on block chain technology and crypto-currencies, and a speaker from the Tor Project to mark Data Privacy Day in January. Much like in America, this year has given people in Canada plenty to worry about on the privacy front, but also shone some rays of hope.
Happy privacy anniversary, Toronto! Because your information is none of anyone else's business.
Did you know you can use the 3D printer at any of our six Digital Innovation Hubs across the city? After attending a free one-hour 3D Printer Certification class, you can book one of the multiple 3D printers available at the Digital Innovation Hubs for a small fee.
Often we get asked, “What should I build?” The answer is: Anything!
But … “anything” is not a thing. Here we created a list of useful things that fill the void in your life you didn’t know you had.
We all have digital media and batteries are great and compact… except when they roll around in our desk drawers.
For those who like to keep organized, customizable pegboard holders are truly a dream come true.
When you lost that one fitting during assembly or need something built fast, but find you're missing a part, instead of trekking to your local hardware store, here is a good alternative.
You never know when you might need a comb; make a few and keep them around. Best of all, you can customize them before you print.
Tired of the old rubber or wood stoppers? Try this one instead.
Whether you want to customized your drawers or print a replacement for a broken or missing knobs, there are many options to choose from!
Don’t like messy cords or to leave your phone on the ground while it charges? Here is a little platform that keeps things neat!
Ever find yourself needing a specific sized container and spend hours looking for a perfect fit? Now you can design your own!
Missing a part on your Tripod or need a new adapter for your camera? We've got you covered.
Want to read a book one-handed without bending the spine? Here a little ring that will help.
Want to jazz up your wall outlets? Check out some of these customizable options!
When you find that perfect thing you didn't even know you needed, visit one of our Digital Innovation Hubs to 3D print it!
-With thanks to Benjamin Tang and Peter Muzyka, Scarborough Civic Centre Branch | Digital Design Technicians
For this year's Innovator in Residence program, we are happy to welcome back three of our previous Innovators: Derek Quenneville (Game Design and 3D printing), Elli Raynai (Virtual Reality Filmmaking) and Yifat Shaik (3D and game design). They join us to celebrate the new Digital Innovation Hub locations which opened this summer at Agincourt, Albion and Downsview.
At Downsview, Derek Quenneville will teach a series of workshops on Storytelling and Game Design using web based educational tool, Scratch, and 3D sculpting software Meshmixer. Elli Raynai will introduce and demonstrate concepts of VR (Virtual Reality) and VR filmmaking at Albion. Finally, at Agincourt, Yifat Shaik and workshop participants will join forces to explore fundamentals of 3D design and modelling, learning about related 3D design software along the way.
Check out the complete schedule of Innovator in Residence programs. Please note, registration is required.
The Innovator in Residence program offers a fun and hands-on way to learn about the technology offered at the library's Digital Innovation Hubs. Past residencies have included mobile app development, 3D printing, film-making, audio production, Arduino, 3D design and robotics.
Toronto Public Library staff are exhibiting at this year’s TAVES Consumer Electronics Show, taking place October 13 to 15 at Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke. Staff will showcase and answer questions about the technologies available at our Digital Innovation Hubs and Pop-Up Learning Labs, including our 3D printers and virtual reality equipment.
TAVES is a showcase of cutting edge technologies and features a mix of tech workshops for all ages, product launches, and an eclectic program of speakers offering insights into consumer technology.
We chatted with TAVES President Suave Kajko to get his thoughts on this year’s hot technology trends, his thoughts on artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and the role he sees public libraries playing in the field of new and emerging technologies.
For those who've never been to TAVES, can you give some guidance on how to navigate the show?
Be prepared to have fun with the whole family! TAVES showcases the very latest products and prototypes in just about every technology category, including robots, wearables, augemented and virtual reality headsets, kids tech toys, 3D printing, neural tech, drones, personal transportation, electric & autonomous vehicles, home automation, and home entertainment.
TAVES also offers a great wealth of kids technology workshops. I encourage paren'ts to sign up their young ones for one of these activities and explore the show floor in the meantime. TAVES prides itself on providing a highly interactive environment where visitors are able to try all the technology first-hand. So be sure to try the various VR experiences, test drive an electric car, fly a drone and take a self-balancing hoverboard for a ride.
When you're done exploring the exhibits, I encourage you to grab a seat and enjoy a TAVES Talks Tech discussion panel, where you can learn about the latest innovations across different tech categories from the experts.
What are your five hottest technology trends for this coming year?
Robots are an area that has fascinated me since I was very little and I feel like we are closer than ever to having useful robots in our homes. I expect a number of new social robots and personal assistant robots to make it to the market in the next year at approachable price points.
Autonomous features in cars will continue to trickle down into more affordable cars and I also believe that in the next 12 months we'll witness a great jump in the adoption of electric vehicles. I'm one of the "crazy" people who put a deposit down on a Tesla Model 3.
Virtual reality and its ability to teleport you to a completely different world is another area that I have been thrilled by ever since I experienced VR for the first time in the late 80s. I just love the immersion that the Oculus Rift and HTV Vive offer and hope to see more exciting VR software and games released over the next year.
2018 is also likely to be a big year for augmented reality as useful apps begin to appear. Apple's integration of AR into its latest iOS 11 will place the technology very quickly in the hands of mainstream consumers and at the same time make it attractive for developers to release AR software.
I also expect consumer medical wearables – think Star Trek tricorder-like devices – to become more widely available during the next 12 months. We all know that early diagnosis of health issues can lead us to living healthier and longer and that's exactly what these devices will enable us to do.
Related to the above question, augmented reality seems to be the rage right now – with Apple's iPhoneX heavily featuring an AR component. What are your thoughts on AR?
Augmented reality is an amazing technology with great potential. However, until very recently most of the AR apps I have played with have been gimmicky and not particularly useful. I would use them once and never go back.
Thanks to Apple's deep integration of AR in iOS 11, AR apps now have the potential of being adopted much quicker by the mainstream consumer market. If software developers can come up with apps that offer real-world applications and enhance the way we use our phones, the future could be very bright for AR.
However if most AR apps offer a five-minute wow factor and we never use them again, they will quickly go the way of the dodo. To date, one of the best AR apps I have seen is the Ikea Place app, an app that allows you to preview furniture in your home before you buy it. It's very smart and useful and if other developers follow suit, AR could be a big hit.
Elon Musk has a dystopian view about AI, while Mark Zuckerberg thinks the opposite. Which side do you sit on?
There is no question that artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in our day-to-day lives. How we choose to apply this technology will have a major influence on whether we end up living in a world that is peaceful or one in which we are oppressed by robots.
I side with Elon Musk on the issue. Let's continue developing AI, but let's do it in a calculated and careful manner. Every major new technology could be used to improve our lives or destroy them. This is no different from some of the greatest scientific discoveries of the past, such as nuclear fission energy.
Nuclear fission has enabled us to build nuclear power plants, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and their devastating impact on the environment. On the flip side, nuclear fission has also led to the development of the atomic bomb.
TPL is excited to participate in TAVES. What role do you see public libraries playing in the field of new and emerging technologies?
Personally, I love the fact that libraries are playing an active role in making cutting-edge technologies accessible to all residents of the city. The very latest innovations usually come with a big price and may not be practical for consumers to own. New technologies also often require education and training, and I'm happy that TPL offers free workshops where everyone can learn how to take advantage of the latest tech products.
At a time when the number of brick and mortar stores continues to shrink and most technology products are available only online, I imagine that public libraries will play an increasingly important role in connecting consumers with technology and allow consumers to try these products out in hands-on environments.
Libraries can also serve as a connecting ground for like-minded individuals and provide inspiration for kids to study science and technology much earlier before these subjects are introduced in the education system.
The Reelworld Film Festival showcases Canadian and International films that explore some of the most current and pressing social issues facing the world. This year, the Festival has partnered with the Toronto Public Library to deliver an expanded program of events.
Reelworld 2017 Trailer
Please join us on Friday, October 13 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Toronto Reference Library for Reelworld's LAUNCH Industry Sessions, a series of panel discussions from industry professionals and filmmakers.There are four key components to the programming this year: Pitch & Fund, Direct, Market and Distribute. Please register here for free if you plan to attend.
On Saturday, October 14 Reelworld will present two pop-up events at Learning Centre 1 in the Toronto Reference Library. First, drop by and experience the Festival's curated 360-degree short films at the VR Film Screening Pop-up. Next, move on to the Video Game Pop-up, featuring games that spark conversation and inspire social change. If you're looking for even more VR experiences, be sure to keep an eye on the library's lineup of VR workshops and demos offered by the Digital Innovation Hubs and Pop-Up Learning Labs.
Lastly, if you're interested in attending the Festival, you're in luck! Free passes redeemable for tickets to festival screenings have been generously provided by Reelworld and will be offered through the Museum and Arts Pass program at select branches.
I'm very excited to announce that the library is offering Adobe Premiere classes. We are continuing to develop new classes introducing you to programs that are part of the Adobe Creative Suite.
Image courtesy of https://blogs.adobe.com
Adobe Premiere is the industry-leading video editing software. With this powerful tool, you can edit virtually any type of media to create professional productions for film, TV and the web. Premiere is a time-line based video editing application and can also integrate with the rest of the Adobe suite such as After Effects, Photoshop and more.
In this introductory Premiere class you will learn basic video editing techniques such as adding clips, transitions and titles. Add audio to your project, along with cutting and splicing on your project's timeline.
So far two classes have been posted and more will be announced soon. Click here to see the date and time and to register.
See you there,
Greg
An openness to learning is the most important skill a computer programmer must have. Whether it's a kid on a summer day learning Scratch, or an adult experimenting with an Arduino after work, success as a programmer is really just finding a new thing, big or small, and devoting a few moments a week to apply it to your existing practices.
While teaching coding as part of the Pop-Up Learning Lab, I've met many people with anxieties about trying to each themselves computer programming, especially anxieties around time and money. In an age when the tools to learn an employable and potentially lucrative skillset are free and accessible to so many, why are so many so scared to try or even Google something?
"Is this the best language to learn or am I wasting my time?"
"Should I be limiting my kids' screen time, even if that time is supposedly educational?"
"Will learning code finally get me a job?"
I've been asked tough questions, and no answer is right for every person at every time and every stage of life. Before getting into the process of learning to code, let's challenge some misconceptions and hopefully ease some stress. Coding is not a Hulk-smash brute force job, and managing anxiety, stress and uncertainty is a big part of progressing.
SEVEN MISCONCEPTIONS
1) "I Need to Know/Like/Love Math"
Many coding classes have more in common with writing and poetry than with math.
One thing is true: math classes have really messed a lot of people up. The inability to calculate at a moment's notice, often in front of an entire class, has created a huge mental barrier to approaching coding for many potential programmers and negated the creative and problem-solving nature that math shares with coding.
Yes, you do need to confront your own Math Anxiety to progress as a computer programmer. But to get started, if you can read a restaurant bill, calculate the tip (even with an app on your phone) and pay it in cash, you have all the necessary skills and resources to start learning to program.
Computer programming may even help you learn math and will give you a better appreciation for both its theory and applications. Also, I can't believe how much of a nerd I am for saying that but I digress…
Check out Street-Fighting Mathematics (which is also a MOOC available through edx.org) for a fresher approach to learning and applying math. But don't get too hung up on math if your focus is getting started with programming.
2) "I Have to Go Back to School"
It is absolutely possible to teach yourself to code, but your mileage may vary. Learning to code on your own can be time consuming, and the money spent on school will absolutely save you research time. On the other hand, if you can manage your own time and expectations, you can get pretty far with something like freecodecamp.org.
Whether you go to a bootcamp, a college, a university, or sign up for MOOC's, you still have lots of work ahead of you. But don't feel forced to drop a ton of money or even quit your day job.
For more tips on how to self-direct your own learning, check out Soft Skills: The software Developer's Life Manual, available through our Safari eBook collection.
3) "I Need Expensive Equipment/Software/Computers"
Coding is like writing, and doesn't actually require high-end software and hardware that you might see for, say, video editing.
For most beginners, learning a popular language like Javascript or Java, an everyday laptop built in the last 4-6 years is more than enough to run beginner friendly coding environments like Processing – if your computer can run Chrome, you can even check out the p5.js web editor.
4) "Coding isn't for girls/women"
This sexist misconception is absolutely false and worryingly corrosive. Women are part of our market, our workplace and our society, both digital and real (digital is increasingly real but I digress…). It disappoints me to hear teenage girls say coding is for boys and hearing how uncomfortable women may feel in the tech sector.
Whether it's true or not that each gender possess different dispositions or skills, this fact is true of people in general, no matter gender or race or sexual orientation or income level, and should not stop a potentially excellent programmer from trying to learn.
While I hate forcing anyone to try anything, I do think more women should learn to code because it appears we all benefit in a really short amount of time. In just five years, Ladies Learning Code rapidly grew to teach girls, students, teachers and even all of Canada.
5) "Coding isn't fun"
This is probably the truest of the misconceptions, but only if we try to do too much at once. The work of learning programming can be difficult and mind-numbing, but the genuine joy of computer programming is the satisfaction of creating a great, useful program, and that takes time.
When learning on your own, frequency is better than volume. Twenty minutes of practice a day for five days a week can be better for some people than 100 minutes straight just once a week. If the 20 minutes you scheduled feels like a chore, cut it back to just 10 minutes. When you start to enjoy the work, go ahead and take more time.
Note: while this may be the truest misconception, it may not be for long as many kids are actually starting to think coding is cool.
6) "I'm too old to learn to code"
This is the easiest myth to bust and the one I probably hear most outside of my classes.
First, existing knowledge and skills are helpful when learning to code. Sure you may have to increase your font size, but the age argument usually points to a learner hesitant to look silly or unsure around younger people.
Second, the tech sector changes constantly, always presenting new opportunities for beginners and professionals alike. This is where maturity really helps: the playing field is constantly shifting, so wisdom and soft skills are a huge asset in the long run.
7) "Everyone should know how to code"
This argument skips over the nuances and diversity within technology today, and within life in general (because, you know, not everything in life is entirely digitized; and how exactly can one learn to code if they can't read and write?). Everyone should be introduced to programming and should try it in a safe and comfortable environment, but we can't force feed computer programming and expect everyone to have it mastered.
I do agree, however, that everyone should be introduced to concepts and topics in computer sciences. Algorithms, the internet and its history, cryptography, cryptocurrencies, hacking, human/computer interaction, digital citizenship and ethics, cyber security – coding can be a component in all of these, but not the end goal.
Our best tools and services, whether they are digital or analog, were designed to put people and their experiences first – their efforts, their curiosities, their needs, their pains and their pleasures. Not everyone should know how to code. But everyone should know how code can help people and make awesome experiences for some of us.
Interested in trying out programming with the Library?
Check out coding classes available at the Pop-Up Learning Labs and at our Digital Innovation Hubs
Visit hello.processing.org to try out Processing in your browser
Look up courses on Lynda.com, like Computer Science Principles: Programming
Stay tuned for another post on computer programming for beginners!
–With thanks to David Cadiente, Toronto Public Library Pop-Up Learning Lab Technician
