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Vancouver Public Library unveils Inspiration Lab

Project connects people

Vancouver Public Library’s new Inspiration Lab will help a Vancouver busker record his first album.

“I now have the opportunity to record my music,” said Alfredo Flores on Tuesday, the day the lab officially opened at the central library branch downtown. The hands-on digital media space complete with sound studios, a green screen and digital software was unveiled as part of the library’s 20th anniversary.

Flores said the lab benefits not just him but other people in the city. “This is a big present for us.”

The $600,000 space was created in part due to the public’s desire for access to more technology and tech training, said VPL board chair Mary Lynn Baum. Ideas came together in 2012 when Vancouver residents took part in public consultations and in February construction began. The lab, which can be booked in the library as well as online, is free for public use. It was funded by the city, donors through the VPL foundation, and private gift reserves.

“This lab reflects the desire for Vancouver residents to have access to digital tools to support their learning and growth,” said Baum.

Located on the third floor of the central branch, the 7,500 square foot Inspiration Lab has four sound booths — the smaller ones are set up with web cameras and microphones so users can create podcasts or have out of town job interviews, said Christina De Castell, director of collections and technology. The larger Live Room holds four to six people and has an audio mixer, microphones and monitor, and can accommodate a variety of different projects.

“You can do a little group interview, or record a discussion group, or you could bring in your acoustic guitar and sing and make your first YouTube video,” said De Castell. The Terry McBride studio allows users to record music.

That’s what Flores wants to do — put his music from the Andes onto a CD. Flores, originally from Guatemala, busks in SkyTrain stations around the city, singing and playing guitar and the zampoña, a traditional Peruvian panpipe flute. Flores said the studio will help his music career.

“I don’t have money to pay a studio, it’s very expensive,” said Flores. “And I don’t make good money busking, but with that CD, it’s going to help me because I sell those CDs and make money.”

Other features of the lab include an analog-to-digital conversion space, a children`s media centre, and different ways for people to tell their stories in digital form.

“That’s what libraries are all about,” said Mayra Gadison, VPL coordinator of marketing and communications. She said the lab has potential for people’s projects to be shared on screen for others to watch. “We make connections for people. How can you not love something like that?”  

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