State Library loans EggBot to Ritzville Public Library

The Washington State Library lends equipment to libraries across the state to provide Science Math Engineering and Technology (STEM) resources for patrons.

This equipment is lent to libraries for multiple weeks and then shipped to the next location.

The State Library’s mission is to “provide leadership and coordination of services to all libraries in the state of Washington,” according to their website.

The State Library not only purchases the equipment then sends it to libraries all over the state but they also assist with grant applications, technology problems and more recently, helped the Ritzville Public Library set up a new catalogue system.

The most recent piece of equipment to arrive at the Ritzville Public Library is the EggBot. A piece of homegrown engineering designed in 1990 by Bruce Shapiro.

He was interested in controlling stepper motors via his computer and came up with the original prototype of the EggBot.

Easter was approaching, which inspired Shapiro to create a mechanism to draw on eggs, as drawing on a rounded object did not require complicated mechanics.

The EggBot has since developed into multiple variations and can be purchased by anyone. It can be adjusted to draw on ping pong balls, golf balls, mini pumpkins, light bulbs, ornaments, wine glasses, or any other rounded object.

It uses fine tipped permanent markers to color on the object and completes drawings in layers based on the color needed.

Inkscape is a free software program that can be used to create a design to be drawn onto the egg. The machine hooks to the computer via a USB cord and will begin drawing what is shown in the Inkscape program.

One of the goals of the EggBot machine is to teach about electronics, mechanics and the software needed for someone to create their own motion control project.

Library Director Kylie Fullmer explained the ways the library utilizes the loaned equipment. With the EggBot she will do multiple school visits and will partner with the STEM club from Lind-Ritzville High School to show younger students what STEM can do for them.

Other loans from the state library include Makey Makey Kits, Roominate and Cool Creations Lego Challenges.

The Makey Makey Kits allow students to use any item that will conduct electricity to function as input devices for computer games. This included fruits and vegetables while it was used at the library.

Romminate is a toy designed mostly for young girls to encourage them to enter the engineering world and teaches them skills involving building various structures.

Each of these activities or equipment sent to the library is used multiple times to allow patrons to get the full use of each item.

The EggBot will be used on March 19 for the Creative Corner Craft Activity for Adults from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

On top of three days of class visits to Ritzville Grade School and Lind-Ritzville Middle School, the EggBot machines will be used during the monthly Crafternoon activity on Friday, March 25, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The staff of the library recently attended training on making Lego robots and will receive kits on loan for patrons to use. They hope to use these to start a Robotics Club for the community.

For more information, contact library staff members at 659-1222.