Starling Kits

Discover the joy of giving your child a head start! The Starling is a wearable engagement tracker that helps a child’s development with early literacy by counting the number of words they hear throughout the day. Starling Kits are available at all branch locations on a first come first served basis and can be borrowed for 21 days. Starling Kits include the Starling wearable device, silicon clip holster, charging dock, AC adapter, USB charging cable, and a ‘Getting Started’ user guide. Download the free Starling app to track your progress and receive real-time feedback, including tips and strategies to increase interaction with your child (device not included).

GoPro kits 

Want to record your adventures and activities? GoPro cameras are available to borrow at all branch locations.  Each GoPro kit includes a GoPro Hero session camera and accessories. Library users must provide their own UHS-I microSD card for photo and video storage. GoPro kits are available to loan out for 21 days and are borrowed on a first come first served basis. Renewals, holds and extended loan periods are not permitted.

Launchpad tablets 

Launchpad tablets aim to improve the digital literacy of children. Launchpads require no internet connection, but allow users to play, read and explore educational apps. Launchpad tablets are available for ages 3-12 years. There is a large selection of Launchpad tablets available for loan or in library use. Launchpad tablets are available for 7 day loans and 2 hour time slots for in library use copies.

Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives Pass (PAMA)

Free admission passes to the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) are available for loan at Brampton library. Visit the museum for exhibitions plus adult and children's programmes. Passes are loaned out for 7 days.

Toronto Region Conservation Authority Pass (TRCA)

Free admission passes to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) are available for loan at Brampton library. With the TRCA pass you can visit Black Creek Pioneer Village, Kortright Centre for Conservation and also go camping, bird watching and much more. Passes are loaned out for 7 days.

When I was a kid, my mom used to take me, my sister and my two brothers to the library all the time. We used to borrow books, movies and even cassette tapes (for those of you that are too young to remember, cassette tapes were a low tech way to listen to music).

Sometimes, we’d get really busy—with four kids at home, it’s a wonder my mom was able to get anything accomplished! Sometimes, during those busy weeks, we’d forget to return our library books and we’d have to pay an overdue fine. Sometimes the fines were big, sometimes they were small, but they always needed to be paid.

Fast forward to my teen years—many books, and many overdue fines later—and I’m looking for my first real job. My love for the library made the choice simple: I’d work there, putting books away after school. I loved it so much that I went on to complete a Masters degree in Library and Information Science, to become a professional Librarian. I chose to focus my work on services for children.

I always encourage children to have their own library cards and to take charge of choosing their favourite titles. Sometimes, those titles would come back to the library late, ripped, soaked in fruit punch, or they wouldn’t come back at all... Has this happened to you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! One of the hardest parts of my job as a Librarian is asking for your allowance to pay for those little mishaps!

Today, I’m Brampton Library’s Manager of Children & Youth Services which, to me, is  the best job in the world! In my role, I get to watch children and teens across this city experience all that their library has to offer. It also means I get to influence change on a system-wide level and watch our community benefit from those changes.

Very close to my heart was the recommendation to eliminate overdue fines on our children’s collections and I’m so happy to say that, with the full support of the members of the Brampton Library Board, this dream is now a reality. I’ve got to tell you that I have been waiting ALL SUMMER to share the good news!

So, what does this mean? Kids, it means that you can have your own library card and borrow up to 50 items at a time (check with your parents first, please!). You still need to bring them back to Brampton Library, but we won’t be charging you an overdue fine if you’re late. As long as you return the item to us in the same condition it was borrowed (no fruit punch, please!) you can keep every penny of your allowance.

I hope you are as excited about this positive change to library service in Brampton as I am, and I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at KAlatsas@bramlib.on.ca

Best wishes for your new school year! I hope to see you at the library soon.

Browse the One Book One Brampton Reader's Guide here. 

Interested in Community Book Clubs? Get all the details here.

About:
MakerSpace Brampton is a joint initiative of the City of Brampton Economic Development Office, Sheridan College Faculty of Applied Science and Technology’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT), and Brampton Library to foster creativity, innovation, and exploration in a safe and accessible learning environment.

What We Have:
MakerSpaces at Four Corners, Chinguacousy, and Springdale library branches offer free access to maker and digital creation tools. Drop-in during library hours to access equipment with the assistance of staff. Users must complete a MakerSpace User Agreement form.

Available equipment includes*:

• MakerBot 3D Printer
• Lulzbot Mini 3D Printer
• Roland CAMM-1 GS-24 Vinyl Cutter
• Silhouette Cameo 3 Electronic Cutting Machine
• Canon 9000F Mark II Scanner (includes attachments for digitizing photo negatives and slides)
• Elgato Video Capture Device (converts analog video from a VHS tape into a high quality digital file)
• Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet (for digital drawing, painting or sketching)
• Akai Professional MPK Midi Keyboard (a compact keyboard and pad controller for creating beats and music tracks)
• Desktop computers with software

*Please note: not all equipment is available at all locations.

Programs: MakerSpace Brampton programs offer hands-on and interactive learning in 3D printing and modelling, coding, web design, robotics, and other STEM and maker topics for all ages. We also host special events and meetups as well as Tech Talks and Repair Cafés.

See our Program Calendar for program offerings, dates, locations, and registration details.

For more information contact us at makerspace@bramptonlibrary.ca or 905-793-4636 x74260