meet me at the library for s.t.e.a.m
TRANSCRIPT
Building a relationship with local schools and promoting library resources.
Meet Me at the Library for S.T.E.A.M.
Gwinnett County Public Library, Centerville Branch
Located Northeast of Atlanta15 Branches plus Gwinnett Technical CollegeCheck Outs: 5,464,503 Customer Visits: 2,646,468 Electronic Visits: 4,718,385 Program Attendance: 159,220 Total Active Cards: 321,681
Who we are
Presenters: Leigh Skowronski, Branch ManagerRadha Ashok: Assistant Branch ManagerPatrice Prevost: Public Services Librarian
Preview
Gwinnett County Public Schools Focus Moment
Objectives
● Increase awareness of library services & resources in the community
● Make the library a “place to be”● Showcase the value of a library card● Increase & improve collaborative relationships
with school personnel● Support the educational needs of students
Start With an Idea
○ “Meet Me at the Library” was initially designed by another branch in our system as a collaborative program involving teachers and students from a particular school visiting the library on a particular night.
Tweak the Idea to Meet Your Objectives
○ We wanted to showcase new technology that the library recently obtained through a state grant.
○ “Meet Me at the Library” became “Meet Me at the Library for S.T.E.M.”
Reshape and Plan
Identify ResourcesStaffing levels
Utilize volunteers and teachers/facultySpace available Equipment - tech and non-tech equipmentBuy-in from other departments in the system
Interdepartmental cooperation
Make contact with schools
How Did We Sell This?
● Free● Fun● Family oriented● Hands-on experiences that support
education
Collaborating with the Schools○ Be flexible and listen. Allow for input and suggestions
from school personnel. ■ S.T.E.M. becomes S.T.E.A.M.■ Promotional video■ Tumblebooks■ Bilingual resources
○ Secure program date and commitment from school.
MarketingWhat we provided:
Video - STEAM @ Centerville PromoFlyer - Flyer
What the schools provided:Parent eMail blastMorning announcementFlyers in Friday foldersCalling Post callsPosted video and flyer on school website
How the School Contributed
Teacher volunteersIncentives for attendanceStudent artworkSchool system news crew
Preparing for the event
Determine stationsAssign staff & coach staff for station responsibilitiesProvide opportunity for staff to be creative and to “play”
Create and print handouts & bookmarksCreate displays - personalize the event for the school
Obtain prizes for raffle drawingsDetermine extra supplies needed
TablesFloor coveringsBalloons (important!)
Day of the Event
Noise level signageMove furnitureSupport energy levels - eat and hydrate!Take photos
The day of the
event...
Map and Passport
Library Card sign up
Science: Sink & Float
Technology: MakerBot 3D Printer
Technology: Robotic Cubelets
Engineering: Marshmallow Structures
Art & Math: Weaving
Art: Student Artwork
Library Online Resources for Kids
Volunteers from the Schools
Feedback
Feedback
I never imagined they would come out like this! This has exceeded my expectations and to see all of my students with
smiles on their faces as they walk around -- I am very impressed!" ~ Principal Kimberly Dyer
"STEAM night is so much fun! Are you going to do it again tomorrow?!" (student)
"This is fun! I didn't think the library was so much fun!" (student)
"This is wonderful! Thank you so much for having this for our students”. (teacher)
Measure of successOur Goal: build a relationship with local schools and make the Centerville Branch “a place to be” for kids, teens and adults.
Outcome:Attendance - We hoped that 10% of the student population and their families would come to the event. We had close to 30% show up.
After the programs: Schools contacted us to participate in their book fair, kinder camp, kindergarten roundup, Reflections contest (for mentoring and judging), and curriculum nights.
We Learned...
The schools want a continuation of commitment. They will want to know what’s next? (No interest in “one and done”).
A concerted energetic outreach effort will demonstrate the present day value of libraries.
Resources for STEAM ideasBoone County Public Library
http://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/programs/summerreading/Documents/2014_conference_materials/40%20STEAM%20Programs%20in%2040%20Minutes/2014%2040%20STEAM%20Programs%20in%2040%20Minutes%20KDLA%20SCR.pdf
Libraries and STEM National Conference http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/stemlibraryconference/events/
Association for Library Service to Children http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2015/06/taking-the-leap-from-stem-to-steam/
Young Adult Library Services Association http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/STEM_Resources
ALA STEM Programming Tool Kit http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/STEMtoolkit_Final_2013.docx.
The Show Me Librarian http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/
Kids Activity Blog http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/
Brain Pop http://educators.brainpop.com/lesson-plan/sink-or-float-background-information-for-teachers-and-parents/
Teach Mamma http://teachmama.com/rainbow-loom-5-reasons-kids-need-parents-love/
Questions ?
Contacts
Leigh [email protected]
Radha [email protected]
Patrice [email protected] (ask to be connected with the Centerville Branch)