The document describes DigiDabble, a program run by North Ayrshire Council that brings digital technologies like coding toys, robotics, and 3D printers to local libraries on Saturdays. The program aims to engage families in digital skills and STEM learning outside of school hours, especially those in deprived areas. Over 800 people attended the first few events, which saw increased library visitors and partnerships. Feedback was very positive, with many families saying it was their best or longest experience outside home. The program has since expanded to schools, youth groups, and continues to identify new partners and locations.

1. DigiDabble
Alison McAllister
Systems & Support Officer
North Ayrshire Council

2. What?
• Communal toolbox of software and kit for families to engage in digital
participation and the STEM agenda: Osmos; Makey Makeys; Tiggly
Words, Shapes and Letters; early coding toys; Marbiotic Letters; Magik
Play; robotics;
• Carefully chosen to suit all age groups and abilities;
• Partnership working with Youth Services and local Gamers/Scratch
group e.g. Anki Overdrive, Virtual Reality Headsets;
• Local animation company;
• A chance to demonstrate our 3D printer, gifted through SLIC from
Scottish Government;
• Staff to work together with families to learn new skills.
North Ayrshire Council

4. Why and who?
• Reduced opening hours on Saturdays as a result of public consultation;
• Opportunity to offer a ‘pop up’ library offer on Saturdays for families;
• Awareness that the traditional library offer of authors/storytellers/arts &
crafts sessions wasn’t innovative enough to engage;
• A chance for families to engage with technology otherwise not available
in the home;
• To involve parents/carers in their children’s digital learning, usually only
available during school hours’;
• To have fun!
North Ayrshire Council

5. North Ayrshire Council

6. How?
• New staff in place after opening hours reduction and restructure;
• Need to enthuse and motivate staff to engage with their new
communities and to work together;
• Give staff the opportunity to put e.g. Digital Extra coding training in to
practice;
• Events staff group formed: front-facing staff; senior assistants; lifelong
learning team and library managers;
• November holiday event/activity needed as families had little money on
the lead up to Christmas;
• Use kit we already had, e.g. ipads, 3D printer and to invest in software
to complement it;
• Catchy name – DigiDabble.
North Ayrshire Council

7. Where and when?
• Focus on the medium branches who had lost their Saturday afternoons;
• Used SIMD to identify priority areas – North Ayrshire 4th most deprived
authority in Scotland;
• Engaged staff who were willing to work at other branches with the
lifelong learning team;
• First session November holiday weekend, second before a branch
closed for refurbishment;
• Sessions promoted via social media – the next one at the last event for
‘pop up’ effect;
• Large branches were also included as higher footfall and more space
meant we could introduce partners, e.g. Youth Services, CARIS.
North Ayrshire Council

8. The impact…
• A total of 495 children and 382 adults attended the events;
• Increase in library visitors, e.g. one library saw an increase of 197% from the
previous/subsequent weeks;
• 100% of respondents said that taking part in the project
had benefitted them and their children.
• Over 62,000 Facebook Reach for 6 events;
• Increased partnerships e.g. Police Scotland;
• Increased local press coverage.
North Ayrshire Council

9. Feedback
• ‘It’s amazing what you can do in the library these days. It’s Phenomenal’ and
‘The best day of my life’.
• ‘We thought this was a great event. Really, really, really cool. Loved the dancing
robot, the 3D printer, VR headset, Osmo and Mario Kart. Here for over 3 hours
and really enjoyed it. Would definitely come back if on again. Dad really
enjoyed it too!’
• ‘My kids loved learning about the 3D printer and were even given a 3D item to
take home, thanks.’
• ‘‘My 4 and 5 year olds loved the Tiggly games, the Magik Play and Toca Band.
It’s a great way to find and try good apps. Thank you!’
• ‘Excellent event! Learned about 3D printer, tried animation and a carrot piano!
Very worthwhile morning. Thank you’
North Ayrshire Council

10. Interviews
From a sample of 30 families over two events:
• 100% from SIMD area with 40% from the 30% most deprived area from a sample at
one event;
• 69% boys, from a sample of families at one event;
• 65% heard about one event via school leaflet, 50% by word of mouth at another;
• On average, 39% used library for borrowing books;
• On average, 42% used library for children’s activities;
• On average, 98% very/fairly confident in using kit again;
• One family has been to 3 other DigiDabble events;
• One mum said this was the longest her autistic son had spent outside the home – 4
hours!;
• Identified interest for Saturday morning coding club in one library.
North Ayrshire Council

11. Accolades
• Featured in Scottish Government blog:
North Ayrshire Council

12. Accolades
• Winner of the 2017 Edge Digital Award
The judge was the Scottish Local Government’s
Chief Digital Officer Martyn Wallace who said
that North Ayrshire Council’s DigiDabble stood
out as it felt like an amalgamation of all the
different ideas and innovation but in a package
to have specific “digital days” to enthuse,
excite, inform and help locals not only through
Digital inclusion but also social inclusion.
North Ayrshire Council

13. DigiDabble continues…
• Digital class visits to 2 primary schools – 190 pupils, 6 adults;
• Digital class visit in library for Education Scotland CLD Inspection – hailed as award-
winning digital participation offer;
• S4 Skills Academy – 19 young people;
• Special session for group of autistic youngsters, their parents/carers and siblings;
• Review and research offer over summer holidays;
• Identify other libraries and venues for autumn/winter programme;
• Identify other partners e.g. STEM Ambassadors;
• Identify other community groups;
• Continue to collaborate with other library services to increase knowledge and skills,
e.g. Stirling Libraries re 3D printing.
North Ayrshire Council

14. The movie
North Ayrshire Council

15. Vote for us
• In Top 10 for the Digital Leaders 100, Digital Council of the Year, to be
announced on the 22nd June – please vote by 12 noon on Friday 9th June.
http://www.digileaders100.com/vote/digital-council-of-the-year/
North Ayrshire Council

16. Contact
Alison McAllister
Systems and Support Officer
amcallister@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Facebook North Ayrshire Libraries
@NACLibraries,
@NAYouthServices
#DigiDabble
North Ayrshire Council