STEAM collection growing

Excitement is building at the Osborne Public Library for the start of 2016-2017 youth programs in September. This year the youth programming theme is "INNOVATE" and activities will be based around science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), as well as literacy. Once again, the library will offer three weekly programs for youth, in addition to Read to Me, an early literacy incentive for pre-K children: Story Hour (pre-K), Wednesday After Class (grades K-3), and Monday After Class (grades 4-6).

With these programs comes the need to grow the library’s collection of STEAM resources, so the library initiated a community fundraising campaign in spring 2016. Due to the support of the following sponsors, the first additions to the library’s collection have been made: Wolters Auction & Realty, Osborne Rotary, Sunflower Bank, Osborne Industries, Midway Co-op, and Anderson, Riechert & Anderson.

LEGO Mindstorms, a computer-programming based adaptation of Legos for ages 10 and up, is a new addition to the library. The libray has purchased two core kits, as well as two expansion packets. Mindstorms will be available for in-house use at the library starting in September.

Young architects will be delighted with the addition of KEVA planks, thin wooden planks designed for building. Eight hundred KEVA planks are now part of the library’s in-house collection.

These new resources, which will be introduced during the library’s youth programs and then available for use on-site at the library, represent the first phase of STEAM resource additions to the library’s collection. Sponsors for additional resources are being sought for phase two, which includes up-to-date non-fiction books on STEAM topics (such as computer coding), circuitry tools, magnets, and more.

In addition, the library will host a new event, Innovation Station, Nov. 7 to showcase the resources, as well as STEAM projects from the library’s youth programs. This event will be open to the community and include hands-on activities and demonstrations for all ages. More information will be posted to the Osborne Public Library’s Facebook page and website.