An academic library might not be the first place families look for summer activities, but at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, librarians are finding creative ways to welcome young learners into the world of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The university’s summer STEAM camp invites children ages 8 to 15 to explore new interests…
For the Garland Public Library, reaching the community is more than just putting information on a website or posting on social media. Sometimes, it means putting a microphone in front of a librarian and letting the conversation begin. For several years, Garland Public Library has used podcasting as another way to connect with patrons. What…
When Anna Community Library opened in November, it introduced The Studio, a makerspace and arts and crafts area designed with community interests in mind. From 3D printing and laser engraving to sewing and traditional art supplies, the space gives residents of all ages a place to explore their creativity, develop new skills and bring their…
Sometimes the best way to understand technology is to take it apart. At Smith Public Library in Wylie, Texas, third- and fourth-grade students got that opportunity during the library’s September 24 Inspecting Gadgets Idea Lab, where they explored the inner workings of laptop computers. The program, supervised by Youth Services Librarian Andrea Tyler and Youth…
For many people, technology can remove barriers and make everyday tasks easier. But finding the right technology, and getting a chance to try it before investing in it, can be a challenge. That’s where libraries can play an important role. In Pottsboro, the public library (service population 4,150) has partnered with the Texas Technology Access…
What does a community need from its library? At Fort Bend County Libraries, the answer doesn’t always come from a staff meeting or a strategic planning document. Sometimes it comes from a survey. Sometimes it comes from a conversation with a patron. And sometimes, it comes from two high school students who simply decide that…
For the residents of Rio Grande City and Starr County, a Smithsonian learning experience may soon be as close as their local public library. The Rio Grande City Public Library has been selected as one of just 16 public libraries nationwide to participate in the inaugural Smithsonian Associates Rural Library Program, and it is the…
Social media can be so much more just than a place to post the monthly program calendar. It can be an important tool to show people what happens inside the library, introduce them to the staff who make it happen, celebrate patrons and community partners, and give the library a personality that extends beyond its…
On any given day at Silsbee Public Library, a tutor might be helping a student prepare for an exam while, just a few feet away, someone attends a telehealth appointment, interviews for a new job, or joins a work meeting. It’s all happening in two privacy booths purchased through a Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement (LIFI)…
For many older adults, technology has become unavoidable. Doctor’s appointments are booked online. Government forms are digital. Job applications require computer skills. Even staying connected with family often means learning how to navigate smartphones, email, and video calls. For libraries, helping patrons build these skills has become just as important as helping them find books.…