At the New Hampshire State Library, Technology Consultant Bobbi Slossar has spent nearly two decades helping libraries experiment with emerging technologies. When the makerspace movement gained traction nationwide, she knew most small New Hampshire libraries did not have the space, money, or staff to follow suit. Instead, she created a “Maker Play” program, circulating electronic toys and kits statewide through interlibrary loan. The idea was simple: give every community a chance to explore technology, no matter their size.

Then the pandemic hit. Programming ground to a halt, and when federal ARPA funds became available, Bobbi invested in twelve Ned2 robotic arms to spark a new wave of learning. The rollout was not smooth. Connection issues, bulky cases, and early hardware failures frustrated staff and patrons alike. But with persistence and key software updates, the robots began to find their place. Kids who were already learning Scratch in school discovered they could drag, drop, and code commands to make robotic arms move in real space. For Bobbi, the magic happens when librarians lean into play. “When the kids are into it, you don’t have to give much instruction,” she explained. “They’re already teaching themselves.”

That story in New Hampshire got all of us on the LDO team curious about what is happening here in Texas. From large city systems to smaller local branches, libraries are finding creative ways to use robotics to engage their communities, spark curiosity, and prove once again that libraries are so much more than books.

At the Fort Worth Public Library, Teen Program Coordinator Christina Granados and Systemwide Teen Librarian Laurenjoy Graves are scaling robotics programs across one of the state’s largest library systems. Their “Jitterbug” workshops use Hummingbird kits, a mix of wires, LEDs, sensors, and power packs that teens can assemble into original robotic creations. For kids who have outgrown elementary-level kits but are not quite ready for soldering or advanced coding, the program offers the perfect middle ground. Teens might start with a simple craft project, then gradually add sensors and programming to bring it to life.

Robotics in Fort Worth is not limited to kits. A Teen Drone Academy introduces participants to drone flight, safety, and coding through playful missions like rescuing toy sharks or navigating hula hoop obstacle courses. Teens rotate through roles as pilot, navigator, and safety officer, picking up not only STEM skills but also teamwork and leadership experience. “We want to give them the opportunity to play,” Christina said, “but we also sneak in the workforce element. Drones are everywhere now, in farming, real estate, photography, even deliveries.”

The library also runs Bot Builders, a monthly program using LEGO Spike Prime kits. With guidance from the local high school robotics team, nicknamed the “Dork Side”, younger kids work through real-world engineering challenges. Watching teens mentor fourth- and fifth-graders adds an extra spark. “When they see an adult, it’s just another class,” Christina explained. “But when they see a teenager leading, they light up.”

The San Antonio Public Library’s robotics programs grew out of one parent’s desire to share his skills with the community. After a layoff from the tech industry, Jorge Hernandez began volunteering at the library with Children’s Librarian Lisa Ramirez. Using LEGO Spike kits, Jorge designed workshops where kids work in teams to build vehicles, then code them to navigate mazes or perform tasks. His own children join in, often serving as team leaders. “It’s a two-for-one,” he said. “My kids practice leadership while others get to experience hands-on engineering.”

The response has been overwhelming. Classes fill quickly, with waitlists forming at some branches. Parents ask for more sessions, and the library is now piloting multi-week workshops that build from simple commands to loops and more advanced logic. For Lisa, the appeal is clear. “The kids like the colors and the play,” she said, “but they’re also learning logic and teamwork.”

And then there is the McKinney Public Library, where robots are not just teaching tools but part of the library’s daily operations. Library Director Spencer Smith oversees a small fleet of service robots that guide patrons to the stacks, deliver books to the sorter, and even break into a dance routine when prompted. They are the same type of robots you might see in a restaurant, but in McKinney they have become an attraction all their own. Children follow them down the aisles, delighted to see a robot that is not just a toy. For some patrons, especially those less comfortable with face-to-face interactions, pressing a button on a robot is an easier way to get help.

“They’re mostly a novelty,” Spencer admitted, “but they also save staff time and create memorable experiences.” Whether answering a favorite question like “What’s your favorite color?” or guiding someone to the sci-fi section, the robots remind visitors that libraries are places where technology and imagination meet.

From New Hampshire’s rural cooperatives to Texas’s sprawling urban systems, libraries are proving that robotics belongs in the public square. Kids build problem-solving skills, teens gain leadership opportunities, and families experience technology in a welcoming, no-cost setting. And while the tools range from LEGO kits to service bots, the impact is the same: libraries are helping communities learn, play, and prepare for a future where robotics is part of everyday life.

Libraries have always been about expanding horizons. Today, that means putting robots in kids’ hands, flying drones through hula hoops, or following a dancing bot to the shelves. In every case, the message is clear: libraries are not just about books, they are about giving people the tools to imagine what comes next.