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 Skowronskilskowronski@gwinnettpl.org770-985-4180

Radha Ashokrashok@gwinnettpl.org770-978-4235

Patrice Prevostpprevost@gwinnettpl.org770-978-5154 (ask to be connected with the Centerville Branch)