The library in Bicknell, the Tri-County Bookmobile headquarters, offers free wi-fi, computers, and about 20,000 items to check out for the 300 residents of Bicknell, Utah. It’s also home to The Flower Puff Girls and their queen, Bumbelina. Amber Fullerton, the Tri-County bookmobile headquarters librarian, finds unique opportunities to enrich her patron’s lives. She sees the bookmobile headquarters as a …
Thanks to your local library, monitoring your heart health is much easier. Telehealth is an efficient and practical solution for many people. Online doctor appointments are a great time saver – especially if you have mobility or transportation issues, or live in a rural area. Unfortunately, not everyone has the tools to share blood pressure numbers or their temperature with …
When planning a summer reading event for blind children, you think outside the box. Or in this case, the planet. The Utah State Library’s Blind & Disabled Program staff worked hard to make this year’s summer reading event memorable and educational for 25 blind students. The theme was outer space. “The intention was to provide a multi-sensory experience,” explains Program …
Did you know you could check out a meat grinder from the library? Or that your kid could learn coding from a robot? Libraries are fulfilling community needs like never before thanks to grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act. A big part of the work we do at the Utah State …
The LSTA 2025 competitive grant round, provided with IMLS funds, is open! This annual grant round is intended for project-based grants that respond to community needs. Please note that applications are due May 31, 2024. $250,000 is available in the grant round and projects typically range from $5,000 to $30,000. Projects outside of that range are still welcome to apply. The application is …
Libraries are so much more than books. Sometimes, libraries are homes to guinea pigs and stray cats, but sorry, you can’t check them out. Meet Cosmo, Moab’s famous library cat When a stray cat sauntered into Grand County Public Library’s Moab branch nobody knew he was applying for a job. He was a cat on a mission, slipping inside the …
How do you bring a graphic novel to life for blind and visually impaired library patrons? It’s easy when you have great partners, talented staff members, and a state-of-the-art recording studio. “Thunderous,” a graphic novel for grades 3-6, is about Aiyana, who is more interested in her social media presence than her Lakota heritage. Pursued by the trickster Raven in …
Did you know the Utah State Library Division has its own awards event? Every year, we host a three-day event for library directors to network, learn, and collaborate. One of the highlights of the Directors Summit is presenting the Quality Library awards. There’s no red carpet or paparazzi, but receiving the Quality Library Award speaks volumes for the recipients. The Quality …
In rural Utah, where the distances between towns can be vast and the population sparse, the bookmobile is not just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of access to knowledge. The Utah State Library Bookmobile Program offers rural Utahns access to books, computers, and a plethora of online learning resources. Not only do the bookmobiles serve rural citizens, they also visit …
Over the past few years, new libraries and library extensions have popped up all over Utah. These modern and vibrant spaces are not only a sanctuary for book enthusiasts but also a hub for community engagement and learning. A new Children’s Activity Room in American Fork Storytime, family movie night, and classes got much more fun at American Fork City …
by Faye D. Fischer At the heart of the library’s ever evolving role as community centric hubs of technology and information is the directive to promote literacy. The ability to read still remains one of the most important skills needed to assure successful participation in society. In addition to the hard skills needed to complete a job application, and secure …
According to the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, the word mascot comes from the French word ‘mascotte’ which refers to a lucky charm. In the 19th century the word was most closely associated with a good luck animal. Sports teams adopted animals to represent them and would often bring live predatory animals to their games to strike fear …