BIBLIOLAB
NETWORK CONNECTION FOR LIBRARIES
[TELEPRESENCE AND IMMERSION]
«“To be present, elsewhere.” Bibliolab is a project that aims to connect Montreal libraries in order to promote meetings and interactions between citizens. The installation of an immersive telepresence* device allows users to remotely share cultural, educational, and collaborative experiences simultaneously. User-friendly technologies open the imagination to a world of possibilities, and deepen human connection.
As part of this project, the SAT is working with the Frontenac and Père-Ambroise, located in the Ville-Marie borough. This partnership allows to showcase the telepresence technology (Scenic) developed within the Métalab de la SAT, or the benefit of society. It fits into the vision for 21st century libraries, which aims to improve citizen services with new technologies.
When two places are connected through Bibliolab, one space extends into the other. The distant groups see and speak to each other as if they were in the same space, to interact and collaborate despite the distance. Story time can bring children together from two different neighbourhoods, and allow two librarians to tell a story, ask questions, and project pictures from the book for all to see. In the same way, it’s possible to share music, workshops, and even to play together.
The project is led by an open and collaborative approach that involves users and partners during creative workshops and experimentation sessions in order to guide the project throughout its development.
*Telepresence allows users to cross distances and be “present elsewhere”, thanks to technologies that give the impression of simultaneously sharing an experience taking place in two remote locations.
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HISTORY
Bibliolab began in 2016 with the goal of bringing remote connection technologies into libraries to showcase and grow these sharing and knowledge networks. The first year of the project (2016-2017) was an exploratory experiment in testing and evaluating multiple interaction scenarios, multimedia material, and spatial configurations, to determine an optimal scenography.
The second year (2018) allowed to automate the peripherals and develop a web application to easily turn on and control the device. This second year ended with a public presentation as part of Quebec Public Library Week. Two Bibliolab devices were installed in the Frontenac and Père-Ambroise libraries from October 20 to 27, 2018, and the project partners offered a varied program of activities.
For more information on the project’s development, please visit the Logbook section. .
PARTNERS
*The project receives government financial assistance from the Secretariat for the metropolitan region of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy through the Fonds d’initiative et de rayonnement de la métropole. It also receives financial assistance from theCaisse de la Culture Desjardins et de and the City of Montreal.
In partnership with Ablblalab, Bibliothèques et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), la Bibliothèque Frontenac, la Bibliothèque Père-Ambroise, la Bibliothèque St-Sulpice, Campus SAT and Violon de Jos.
REVUE DE PRESSE
Catherine Lalonde, 23 avril 2016, Le Devoir. La SAT ouvre son labo aux bibliothèques de Montréal
Catchbox case study, Society for Arts and Technology
Catherine Lalonde, 25 octobre 2018, Le Devoir. En (co) présence de l'artiste