The Daviess County Library has been chosen as one of 75 libraries nationwide to partner with NASA and the American Libraries Association (ALA) for the new NASA@mylibrary initiative. The library beat out hundreds of applicants from all 50 states and is the only library from Missouri chosen for this opportunity.
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The NASA@mylibrary initiative is essentially a three-year partnership broken into Phase I and Phase II. After completing Phase I in spring 2018, the library will have the option to renew the partnership for Phase II.
The purpose is for NASA to partner with libraries to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills and hands-on-learning, with a space and science focus for youth and adults from all backgrounds.
As part of the program, the library will receive ‘facilitation kits’ and materials on various STEM topics for use in library programs, NASA STEM backpacks which will be available for checkout to take and experiment with STEM concepts at home, funding, staff training and access to NASA’s Subject Matter Experts (SME) networks which will mean SME talks and events at the library and around the community.
“I knew our application was strong, but still I couldn’t believe our mighty little library had been chosen when I opened up the acceptance letter and read the words ‘your library is one of 75 libraries selected for this partnership,’” said Library Director Allison Spidle. “I read that line about ten times before going to tell the staff!”
As stated in the application, the goal in applying was simple:
“We want our young people to envision themselves as engineers, astronauts, research scientists, explorers and coders,” said Mrs. Spidle. “These are real jobs and good jobs, not to mention exciting careers that our kids can aim for if they have the encouragement and core skills necessary to pursue such paths.”
She added the jobs are local to some extent.
“Becoming an engineer, coder or researcher doesn’t always mean you have to leave and move far away,” she said. “Further, these STEM skills will make our kids successful in a variety of careers. If you want to be an astronaut, great, you will definitely need these skills. If you want to be a farmer, teacher, doctor, lawyer, business owner — being familiar with STEM concepts will be vital for your success in today’s modern world.”
As a central institution in the county, Mrs. Spidle and staff want the library to be a place where young and old can learn new things and gather to discuss them.
“We aim to support parents and schools by providing a variety of hands-on learning opportunities so that our youth are comfortable and confident in their STEM capabilities,” she said. “STEM concepts are increasingly affecting every career and every aspect of our lives.”
In previous generations students could say they don’t like science and engineering or they’re not good with technology and math, that is no longer an option. It is no longer a choice for our youth whether or not they want to study and understand these concepts.
“You will see a major effort by our library and staff in the next three years to provide exciting STEM programming for youth and adults, much of it with a space and science-focused twist due to the materials and training we will be receiving through the NASA@mylibrary partnership,” she said. “This will be a sustained effort to partner with schools and families to build a STEM culture in our community.”
When you see these events advertised, please come to the library to support these programs and model exploratory learning for the youth in your life.
“We can’t expect our kids to get excited about these concepts and pursue STEM careers if we ourselves refuse to get out of our comfort zones and learn something new,” Mrs. Spidle said.
The library is preparing to kick off the Summer Reading Program on May 16. The library will focus on the exciting billet of programming already planned for the Summer Reading Program for May, June and July, but will start to implement the NASA@mylibrary programming in late summer to early fall.
The library will make regular announcements to the public regarding NASA@mylibrary programs and events and keep the public informed of new resources and materials available at the library as part of this initiative.