Robots, worms and more join global movement at library

They will all be featured at the Gordon White Library’s first Fun Palace event this Saturday, October 5, from 10am to 1pm.

Cr Karen May said Fun Palaces were all about being exposed to new and interesting things and learning together.

“The concept of a Fun Palace was originally a failed building project in England in 1961 which would have been a space where the community could celebrate arts, science and culture,” Cr May said.

“While that project didn’t get off the ground, it spawned a global Fun Palace movement,” she said.

“Since 2013, on the first weekend of October every year, across the world, communities have created pop-up Fun Palaces to celebrate arts, science, craft, technology, heritage and sports activities and bring people together.

“Our Libraries are an obvious place for a Fun Palace, so we decided to get involved this year.”

On offer at the Gordon White Library Fun Palace will be:

• a “Ready, Set... Dance” taster
• Code your own dance party – an hour of code tutorial
• a robot zone with robots Pepper and MiRo
• 3D print zone where you can receive an introduction to 3D printing and design
• composting and worm farm demonstrations
• Wild Puppets and The Gruffalo puppet show based on the book by Julia Donaldson
• Library info zone with informal presentations about eResources and collections
• Osmo, Blue Bots and Cubelets – introductory robots
• U3A card players teaching simple games such as Canasta, Whist, Euchre, 500 and more
• Skoogs – a customisable, accessible electronic musical instrument
• The Beamz – a laser-based music device where users operate the device by using their hands to interrupt the beams
• a genealogy specialist who can help solve family history mysteries.

Some classes have limited numbers and multiple sessions. For more information and to book spots in classes, head to Fun Palace website.