Tech Bytes are one-day, high-impact training events designed to bring library IT professionals and emerging technology together. Hosted in locations across Georgia, these sessions offer a byte-sized deep dive into the latest tech solutions, guided by industry experts. Unlike our annual Tech Boot Camp, Tech Byte features vendor-led training: providing hands-on demonstrations, expert insights, and a chance for libraries to engage directly with their vendors and peers. Whether you're looking to explore new IT tools, sharpen your skills, or connect with tech vendors, Tech Byte delivers the knowledge you need in a fast, focused format.
Join us at an upcoming Tech Byte near you and take your library’s technology to the next level—one byte at a time!
Upcoming:
Keep an eye on this page and the Techtalk mailing list for further announcements regarding upcoming Tech Byte events!
Past Events:
Lit Lab on the Road - Tuesday, September 9, 2025 (Statesboro-Bulloch County Library - Statesboro)
GPLS IT brought the Lit Lab and Tech Loaner Kits on the road to be more accessible to parts of the state further away from Atlanta! In addition to the chance to tinker with all of the tech, attendees also got an update on the trajectory of the Tech Loaner Kit program and the chance to brainstorm ideas for the program alongside the GPLS IT team. To top it all off, there was also Makerspace Mending and a Tech Swap at the event, providing the chance to get old equipment either up and running again or sent on to a new home!
Tech Planning Retreat - Thursday, August 28, 2025 (Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center - Covington)
IT staff and directors from Georgia's libraries took a step away from the hustle and bustle of their daily work to buckle down and think about their library's long-range technology plan. The schedule was jam-packed with presentations from GPLS staff covering asset inventory, cybersecurity, grant funding, and using AI to streamline the overall process. In between these sessions, there was a panel discussion, a peer review exercise, and roundtable discussions at lunch so everyone could learn from each other as well.
ChromeOS Day - March 11, 2025 (Middle Georgia Regional Library - Macon):
GPLS ChromeOS Day spotlighted all the exciting things that Georgia libraries are doing with ChromeOS as well as potential future use cases. Attendees heard directly from Google about the status and future of the platform, partners like LibData and CDW-G on their Chrome-adjacent offerings, and GPLS on real-life trends and opportunities on the ground. Best of all, Google offered a ChromeOS Admin Console training during the event along with a voucher for all attendees to take the test for official admin certification for free on their own time!
AppSheet Hackathon - November 21, 2024 (Google Atlanta - Atlanta):
Google's no-code AppSheet platform for app development was center stage at this event. In the weeks leading up to the Hackathon, attendees worked either alone or in a team of up to 4 to create an AppSheet app that met a key library need. On the big day, everyone got the chance to polish up their apps under the guidance of Google's AppSheet experts and then present their hard work to their peers! With their apps in hand, everyone went home ready to make a real impact on library services and patrons - but not before wrapping up with a quick tour of Google's Atlanta offices!