LAS VEGAS DAY06 - Atomic Museum, Clark County Library, SYN Shop

Today marks the first day that I am actually doing things outside of the re:Invent convention. It turned out to be a day of interesting experiences.

Breakfast at the Venetian 

Well, I know I'm not doing any re:Invent activities today but I won't say no to free breakfast.

Atomic Museum

Off to my first stop for the day, the Atomic Museum! I have to admit that my desire to visit this place was ignited after watching Oppenheimer. I enjoyed my visit here. The overall experience was great. It wasn't just nerdy educational science as they weaved in interesting pop culture displays and references that showed us another side of the atomic bomb's influence on human civilization.

Interesting Features

• Ground Zero Theater - This self-running theater (made like a bomb shelter) is definitely interesting. There is a timer outside that "counts down" to when the next show will screen. I think the shows run every 15 mins, with the doors opening and closing automatically to allow visitors to access the theater.
• Stuffed Lion Display - This was definitely an interesting way to direct a visitor's attention to some display that isn't on eye level.
• Museum Shop - The museum shop is definitely has some interesting items based on atomic pop culture. Bought a t-shirt and drink from there.
  

 

Clark County Library

My second stop for the day. Took a short walk to Clark County Library. I did not feel hungry and thus pressed on to the library. To be honest, I was getting quite sick of American food and was wondering what else was there apart from junk food. I was a bit apprehensive when I entered the Clark County Library as I had not called or emailed ahead of the visit. I was thinking if there wasn't anything of note there (or anyone to talk to me), I would just do a quick in and out. 

Well, the visit went better than imagined. Largely, this is an interesting library to visit because while its core function is similar to our own libraries, the execution is quite different. I enjoyed speaking to the staff there and learning about their services. 

Interesting Features (General)

• Proximity to other amenities - The Library is next to a Careers Center, an Adults Learning Center, and a Community Theater. It is also located next to UNLV (University of Las Vegas).
  
• Serving the community - The library provides services to the community, including those who are disadvantaged (such as the homeless)
  

3F - Children's Floor

Interesting Features:

• Hydroponics - There is a community showcase set up to teach the public about hydroponics. Beside it, there is a giant skeleton (remnant of Halloween).
  
• Busy? - The library seemed to be understaffed (with only one staff looking after an entire floor). However, the Librarian clarified that 150 visitors per day was considered "Busy".
• Computer Stations - Since 3F is a Children's floor, the computer stations are age locked so that adult visitors cannot use these computers to access harmful content.
• Bundled kits and toys for loan - The library staff have developed innovative ways to manage the loan of bundled kits and toys. For example, they bundle phonics books in a zip pouch and hang them on the wall for loan. For toy loans, cards with the image of the toy are displayed on transparent pouches hung on the wall. When someone wants to borrow a toy, they pick up the card and pass it to the library staff (who then retrieves the toy for them from nearby locked storage).
• Stickers for help to tidy up - Librarian incentivize the children to help in tidying up by giving them stickers.
• Jordan the Librarian -  Of course, we need to be grateful for people who made the visit wonderful. Jordan (Arthun-Healy), the Youth Services Department Head, was really friendly and professional. His willingness to entertain my questions and show me around his section changed the entire trajectory of my visit.
  

2F - 2nd hand book shop, Teen Tech Center, General Library/Computer Center

Interesting Features (2nd hand book shop):

• 2nd hand book shop - The 2nd hand book shop within the library itself is an interesting idea - It is like our book exchange, except that the donated books are for sale. The prices are very low, and they even have days where the books are half off. They do not seem to have an issue with space. It is USA after all.
  
• The shopkeeper - The shopkeeper is a lady who has traveled widely. She is an admirer of our late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, and gives great travel advice. Unfortunately, I forgot her name.
  

 

 

Interesting Features (Teen Tech Center):

• Focus on Teens - The maker space is focused on helping teens to be creative in using technology. This is quite different from NLB's MakeIT, a maker space more focused towards adults and seniors. The space is pretty much driven by the interests of the teen users - all they need is to log in before using the space.
  
• Sponsored by a commercial entity (Best Buy) - The Teen Tech Center is sponsored by Best Buy, which is an electronic superstore. 
• Variety of equipment - There is a variety of equipment such as digital art stations, music/video recording rooms, 3D printers, sewing machines, video game consoles, and a TV. The creations tend to be things that teens like, such as manga art and rap music.
  
• Seems understaffed - The entire space seems to be run by one man named Russ Burns, who is a multi-skilled individual who does almost everything in the Teen Tech Center. They have a team, but when I visited he was the only one there.
  
• Volunteer mentors from UNLV -  The center manager told me that from time to time volunteers from UNLV, which is just next to this library, come over to mentor the teens who use this space. Some of these volunteers were users of the Teen Tech Center when they were teenagers.
• The Krampus - They dressed up a mannequin to look like the Krampus, a mythical being meant to scare naughty children who misbehave.
• Nathan Fillon - They LOVE Nathan Fillon (the actor from Castle) in this library. They have been photoshopping his face on different posters at the Teen Tech Center hoping that he will come and make an appearance at their library.
  

Interesting Features (General Library/Computer Center)

• General Library - Typical library I suppose. This one was quiet and well lit. Collection was not very large but decent.
• Computer Center - This seems to be a well-used resource. Understandably, there are a lot of rules to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, including bag size limits.

Interesting Features (1F - Adult Maker Space)

• Newly opened - This maker space is newly opened for just a few months when I visited. 
• Appointments only - Use of the space is by appointment only.
• Small Outpost? - This maker space just fits in a small room. Compared to the Teen Tech Center, it is tiny. Perhaps a minimalist outpost maker space can operate like this?
  

Late lunch break

I caught a late lunch at Five Guys. This was good. As I was away from the strip, the food seems a lot cheaper here. Had a quick look around Target before I hopped onto an Uber back to the hotel. Had a rest at the hotel before heading off to my next stop.

SYN Shop

Ah, my final stop for the day, a commercial maker space called the SYN Shop. When I was there, there was another fella from out of town who was visiting at the same time. He wouldn't stop talking so I just toured the space with some other guy. He was pretty cool about it.

Interesting Features

• Don't be a jerk - Seems simple to join. No certification, just pay $50 USD a month to use the space.
• Very casual environment - Members were making stuff and drinking beers while making.
• Lots of different equipment - The SYN Shop has a separate section to handle heavier making equipment such as industrial wood working machines. They require a heavier power draw, which is perhaps why this space is located in an industrial area.  
  
• Make all kinds of stuff - Members make all kinds of things there - Artisan notebooks, cosplay costumes, electronic stuff, and furniture.
• Messy - The space is somewhat messy. It is probably the way the equipment is planned based on the organic needs of the members.
• Rudy - Rudy is currently the treasurer of the SYN Shop. He is a really cool fella who showed me around the SYN Shop. I am most amused by his fully color coordinated luggage and outfit. He tells me he works as a stagehand and makes custom artisan notebooks and sells them around Las Vegas.