Robo-cat, virtual reality and more at Elgin library's Tech Fair

Ten-year-old Thiago Simoes was so intrigued by what he learned at the first Tech Fair at Gail Borden Public Library that he was raring to check out technology materials.

"I'm learning a lot of stuff!" he said Thursday evening after he built a tiny motorized fan with Lego Education's WeDo 2.0 set, which combines robotics, engineering and coding for kids. "I think the mechanics are great. Working on this, I feel like making it right now!"

That's exactly the reaction the library wanted to elicit with its Tech Fair, library spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said. The fair showcased technology available at the library along with technology used by a variety of community partners, including the city of Elgin, Advocate Sherman Hospital, Comcast, Microsoft and others. "It's really to bring technology education to the community," she said.

Technology classes are so popular that the library has added a technology education department, Raleigh said. Still, many don't know about all that the library offers, like Oculus Rift virtual reality goggles and the "preservation station" that converts VHS tapes, Kodak slides and more into digital format, she said.

A big hit on Thursday night was "Fluffy D. Claude," a robo-cat with artificial intelligence that joined the library last week. The cat tags along for library programs offered at senior centers, and helps the more reserved seniors come out of their shells, said staff member Glenna Godinsky.

L.L. Bean showcased outdoor technology like dog collars with GPS tracking and portable charging packs. The police department displayed its street video camera system on a monitor, and firefighters showed off equipment including a Lucas automatic CPR device and a thermal imaging camera. Elgin 311 Citizens Services Manager Jennifer Phillips showed people upcoming upgrades to the city's website, which will be more mobile-friendly, and the 311 mobile app, which she said has about 9,300 users.

Parent Huda Razzak of Streamwood said she came at the suggestion of a friend who lives in Elgin. "I really, really like it. I like to see how many different exhibits they have. She's really young," she said of her 3-year-old daughter Israa, "but she gets interested in this."

Library Executive Director Carole Medal said she took the Tech Fair idea from the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where she serves as a trustee, and entrusted her staff with broadening the event beyond library technology. "Our goal was showing people technology that affects their lives," she said.

There was even some "old school" technology on display, like a typewriter, sewing machine and Braille machine, which intrigued Elgin resident Robert Adame.

"I like it because some of it is still applicable," he said. "Now there are probably computer programs, but it's not necessarily old. It's just transferred to different systems."