The Pibrary Project

The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. The computer offers an open, flexible platform that libraries can adapt to fit the needs of their community. The Pibrary Project is helping libraries use Raspberry Pi computers for technology training, makerspaces, Internet and game stations, computer access through lending and for projects that offer low cost alternatives to technology products. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in training or already using Raspberry Pi computers.

Our approach

ENABLE

  • Provide training and equipment to foster technical skill development and increase computer education opportunities for all.

CONNECT

  • Invite librarians into the Raspberry Pi community to expand their ability to learn, teach, and innovate based on a common mission of access and openness.

MODEL

  • Create and share tutorials and guides for Raspberry Pi projects that solve library problems and can be implemented by any library.

Tiers of engagement

We want to help people increase their skills starting at any level of confidence. We will use this scale to gauge current knowledge and find training that will work best:

1. Plug & Play

  •  Willing to use technologywith help from others and user-friendly applications
  •  Raspberry Pi skills: plug, connect and boot the device, use preinstalled applications

2. Educate & Learn

  • Comfortable using technology, likes to learn new applications and about how computers work
  • Raspberry Pi skills: knowledgeable about the device, developing new tech skills and able to offer training on coding using Scratch, etc.

3. Hack & Make

  • Able to implement and experiment with individual and small projects through tutorials and reading books. (i.e. creating a personal website, Twitterbot, or birdhouse camera)
  • Raspberry Pi skills: comfortable working through tutorials and problem solving with devices, actively acquiring coding skills, has problem solving skills

4. Develop & Scale    

  • Actively engaged in large scale, system wide projects with others that offer innovative solutions (i.e. Measure the Future, Library Simplified, BeagleBone-Omeka) 
  • Raspberry Pi skills: knows Python or other development languages, comfortable with Linux, able to work on teams and apply design process for identifying community needs