12 Rural Public Libraries Selected to Receive Funding to Offer Bilingual Exhibitions and STEAM Programming

12 Rural Public Libraries Selected to Receive Funding to Offer Bilingual Exhibitions and STEAM Programming

The Space Science Institute's National Center for Interactive Learning (SSI/NCIL), the American Library Association (ALA), TPT - Twin Cities PBS, Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) and Education Development Center (EDC) are pleased to announce 12 rural public libraries that will participate in a project to bring culturally responsive and gender equitable STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning to library patrons, especially often-underreached Hispanic/Latino populations. The project is generously funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Through the STAR Net STEAM Equity Project, library partners will each receive $15,000 over four years to participate in professional development activities, support community collaborations and purchase STEAM learning materials.

In partnership with library staff and their community collaborators, the project will empower tweens and their families to pursue equitable STEAM learning and career paths by leveraging their existing strengths, interests, and diverse cultures. Selected libraries will host the following traveling STEAM exhibitions and develop associated programs and outreach kits with their collaborators and community members.

Collaborators

The following libraries (and their community collaborators) were selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process. To view the geographical coverage for this project, please view the collaborators map above.

• Berryville Public Library, Berryville, Arkansa
• Safford City-Graham County Library, Safford, Arizona
• Madera County Library, Madera, California
• Montrose Regional Library District, Montrose, Colorado
• Palm Springs Public Library, Palm Springs, Florida
• Burley Public Library, Burley, Idaho
• Blue Island Public Library, Blue Island, Illinois
• Los Lunas Public Library, Los Lunas Public Library, New Mexico
• Pioneer Library System Foundation, Norman, Oklahoma
• Mt Angel Public Library, Mount Angel, Oregon
• Hondo Public Library, Hondo, Texas
• North Central Regional Library, Wenatchee, Washington