The Gateway, Tuscaloosa's brand new Innovation and Discovery Center, is now open. Don't miss your chance to be one of the first to check out this incredible state-of-the-art facility; there are so many awesome things in store for you when you visit The Gateway!

1. You'll be impressed with The Gateway's tech the minute you walk through the door.
There are two huge touch screen kiosks at The Gateway's entrance.You can use one of the kiosks just like a tablet--you can visit your favorite websites or do a quick Google search. You can use the other tablet to learn more about the Tuscaloosa Public Library: looking up a book or movie, searching for an e-book to read, or checking the status of your TPL account.

2. You HAVE to see the Discovery Wall.
One of the first things you notice when you walk into the main room of The Gateway is the Discovery Wall. At 16 feet by 5 feet, it's hard to miss; it looks like a giant flat screen television, but it's so much more! You can use this giant touch screen to learn more about Tuscaloosa--you just tap an icon, and you're instantly given information about everything from the city's history to current employees, commerce to recreation, and much more. There is so much info available through the Discovery Wall that you can learn something new about T-Town with each visit--and it's constantly being updated, too!

3. The Gateway has its own 3D Printer.
Want to learn more about 3D printing technology? You can at The Gateway! The center has its own 3D printer, and it's awesome to see what can be created. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox used a pair of scissors made with The Gateway's 3D Printer for the center's ribbon cutting!

4. You can use a brand new tablet, laptop, or iPad.
When you visit The Gateway, you can use your Tuscaloosa Public Library Card to check out tech! They have 75 laptops, 50 tablets, and 50 iPads available for rental inside the center.

5. Kids can have fun with interactive tech in Robin's Room.
The Gateway's Children's Exploration Center is packed with interactive tech for kids. Robin's Room, named after Tuscaloosa's own Robin Edgeworth, features two intuitive multi-touch tables where kids can have fun while learning--they can play games like chess, checkers, and more; they can solve puzzles, create music, and play with up to three friends at each of these interactive tables. There's also a smaller Discovery Wall in Robin's Room. Kids can choose from one of several pictures of iconic Tuscaloosa places and use the interactive wall to color their own works of art--and when they're done, the Discovery Wall can create a unique code that allows parents to scan and save their kids' drawings!

6. The Gateway has the coolest rooms and meeting spaces in town.
The Gateway has blazing fast 1 Gigabit internet, and it's the perfect place to study or host a meeting. The entire center is planned with innovation and collaboration in mind; you'll see it in the details: chairs and tables have USB and charging ports; rooms have white board walls to encourage brainstorming and creativity.

7. Heritage House has a brand-new location--and it's INSIDE The Gateway.
Tuscaloosa's own Heritage House Coffee and Tea has a new location in The Gateway. You can order a coffee, latte, or one of their delicious homemade cakes and cookies.

The Gateway is located at 2614 University Boulevard; it's next to the Tuscaloosa Police Department's Alberta Station. They're closed Mondays, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Plan your visit to The Gateway by checking out the center's website and Facebook page today.

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