New Touch Screen Kiosk helps visitors track down plants
In Fall of 2006, the Scott Arboretum became one of six gardens in the world using BG-Map and the Visitor QUICKfinder to help visitors learn about plants. This technology allows visitors to search for locations of living woody plants and dedicated trees by using the new touch screen kiosk in the entrance foyer of the Scott Arboretum Offices.
The 19-inch, wall mounted touch screen operates like some of the new ATM machines with an on-screen keyboard and feature boxes for navigation by the touch of your finger. Simple searches of individual plants can be done by common or botanical name, species or cultivar. “Create a Tour” automatically arranges the selected plants by distance, creating a numbered walking tour. Maps can be viewed on-screen or printed in the reception lobby. In the near future, you will also be able to e-mail yourself a copy of the maps you make at the kiosk.
Currently, dedicated trees can be located using the “Locate a Dedicated Tree” button. By entering part of the person’s name for whom the tree was dedicated on the touch screen keyboard, you can find and select the corresponding tree and see a photograph taken by one of our volunteer or student photographers. When you select the “view location” button, a map will be composed of the location. These maps can also be printed.
Pre-assembled lists of special interest plants are searchable under the “Special Collections” button on the kiosk, which highlights plants of seasonal interest or special landscape value. The kiosk also links to the Arboretum web site, providing general information about who we are, visitor hours, mission, gardens and collections, membership, programs, publications, and a calendar of events. The software allows you to leave comments and requests to be added to membership or volunteer interest lists.
This kiosk project, along with the improvement of the adjacent classroom, was funded by a grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust and a generous donation by Jack Blum, as a birthday present to his wife Jeanne Cotten Blum, for whom the classroom is now named. Please stop by the kiosk on your next visit and make use of this new technology to better enjoy the Arboretum and the rich collection of plants.