We are considering hosting a Tech Expo at Michener in 2012. A one day event to explore here-and-now technology and resources, open to everyone at Michener. Volunteer experts will showcase gadgets, online applications, social media, library resources and classroom tools.
These pages will track our progress and resources.
What’s In a Name
A key to finding background information has been figuring out the various names used by other institutions for an event of this type. Here are some of the names used:
- Technology Petting Zoo – appears to be the original name in this wave
- Technology Fair, Teaching & Technology Fair, Technology & Resources Fair – sometimes fair is used to mean ‘job fair’ or ‘trade fair’
- Technology Expo, Tech Expo, TechExpo
- Gadget Garage (volunteers could be called Gadget Gurus)
- Tech Toybox, Techie Toybox
- Technology Showcase
Examples of Events at Schools, Libraries, and Conferences
- Association of College and Research Libraries New England Chapter – Technology Petting Zoo – 2010 Spring Conference
- Berkeley Lab – Tech Petting Zoo – inaugural event held May 2011
- McGill U – Teaching with Technology Day – 8th annual event held May 2011
- Medical U of South Carolina – Tech Fair - 3rd annual held April 2011
- Oak Bluffs Public Library (Massachusetts) – Technology Fair – inaugural event held March 2009
- Park Ridge Public Library (Illinois) – Library Tech Fair – inaugural event held September 2011
- Preston Medical Library, U of Tennessee – Technology Fair – a series of sponsored lunches held October 2010
- Princeton Public Library – Gadget Garage – collection of gadgets for patrons to test drive in the library
- U of Alabama Libraries (Gorgas Library) – Carnival – to promote the library, not specifically gadgets
- Virginia Commonwealth U – Technology Fair – latest event held April 2011
