Activity Details
Title: Makerspace Programs
Narrative: Winona Public Library hosted 10 in-person makerspace programs between March-August 2021. This was slightly later than the grantees’ projected start date, but as the pandemic worsened in winter 2020, they decided to wait until spring to host in-person programs. The programs introduced youth ages 6-14 to computational thinking through different technology and makerspace tools, starting with Sphero and Osmo in March, April, and May, and adding littleBits and Cubelets during summer 2021 with the receipt of an expanded grant award. Total attendance at programs was 54, reflecting that attendance was capped to ensure that everyone had adequate space.
These programs broadened access to technology and makerspace equipment and gave youth a chance to practice their computational thinking skills and dispositions. To increase access, Winona Public Library brought programs to three different offsite locations - a recreation center, a childcare center, and a park – both to have adequate space for distancing and to reach youth of color who have trouble getting to the library. The grantees’ heard from many youth and families that this was their first time working with the equipment, and they were happy the library had these materials available. To address computational thinking, program staff introduced and named computational thinking skills during sessions. Then as youth tinkered, program staff pointed out when they were using specific skills. Program staff evaluated the programs with individual and group interviews and observation.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: In-person
Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 10
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 3
Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No
Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No
Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: rural, low-income
Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Content Creation
Narrative: Due to the pandemic, Winona Public Library knew it would be difficult to achieve their goals of increasing access to technology and building computational thinking skills with programming alone. So the grantee created lending kits that enabled patrons to use the equipment at home. The grantees started with 5 lending kits of Sphero BOLT robots and created a guide to the robot to help patrons get started and find the self-guided activities that suited them. The grantees launched the lending kits in late January 2021,and from then through September 14, 2021, Bolt kits were checked out a total of 36 times for a lending period of 4 weeks, circulating almost constantly since they were made available.
In June 2021, Winona Public Library had the opportunity toexpand their grant project with additional funding, and they expanded both ourin-house and circulating collections. The grantees selected Cubetto, Cubelets,and littleBits for the lending kits in order to appeal to a broader range ofages and abilities and provide a greater variety of makerspace and codingactivities. The Sphero Bolt requires a smartphone or tablet to run, whereasCubetto, Cubelets, and littleBits are great options for youth without access toa device at home. The grantees created 5 Cubetto kits, 5 Cubelets kits, and 6littleBits kits, all with starter guides. The new kits have circulated morethan 32 times from late June-mid September 2021.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital
Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 21
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 4
Number of plans/frameworks: 0
Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No
Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No
Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 6-12 years
13-17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Rural, low-income
Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0