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 Library is administering these grants, and we love learning how they affect people’s lives.
The President Millard Fillmore Library is a community hub, offering books and more in a small town of 2,643 people. Their Library of Things and STEAM Room, made possible by grants, has improved the lives of library patrons.
The Library of Things
“We have one grocery store and no department store,” explains Stephanie Aleman, the library director. “The swimming pool, park, and library are the only activities for kids or adults. We don’t even have a movie theater.” Maybe they don’t need one. Movie projectors and screens are available from the Library of Things.
In a town where the closest Walmart is an hour’s drive, the Library of Things is a lifesaver. Patrons can check out things like an air fryer, a shaved ice machine, a popcorn maker, tools, canopies, and more.
Here are a few ways the Library of Things has helped the community:
- Using the pressure washer to strip the paint off their deck, an elderly couple refinished their deck and now have a beautiful space to enjoy summer evenings.
- Family reunions, birthday parties, and church activities are extra fun thanks to the variety of outdoor games in the collection.
- The local seamstress can’t afford a sewing machine, so she uses the library’s sewing machine to make costumes for the local dance group and dresses for the county pageant.
- The pickleball sets are hot items now that the city has built a new park with pickleball courts.
The STEAM Room
Through a second grant, the library built the STEAM Room to help kids (and some adults) learn through doing. The room is filled with fun stuff like art supplies and 3D printers. “Since adding the STEAM Room we have seen an increase in the number of teens and pre-teens that use the library,” says Aleman. “Kids love coming in and painting, making clay sculptures, working with leather, and making creations.” The room is in high demand for grandparents with visiting grandchildren.
The coding robot is one of the most popular items in the STEAM Room. Children program the robot to move and talk. “The robot is often seen running through the library with a child not far behind,” says Aleman. Snap circuits are another hot item. Kids spend hours learning basic circuitry by assembling electronics.
“It’s hard to communicate the effect these two grants have made on the citizens in our community,” says Aleman. “We would never have been able to start these programs without the funding from these grants. We receive comments and gratitude almost daily for the opportunities and help the Library of Things and STEAM Room provide.”
We’d love to hear your library’s grant success story. Email Amanda Rock ([email protected]) to share.