CARTERET COUNTY, NC (April 3, 2024) – The Carteret County Public Library (CCPL) is set to improve its educational programming with the recent awarding of a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant totaling $28,686. The grant aims to bridge the gap in technical programming by introducing a state-of-the-art Mobile Maker Lab, concentrating on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) subjects.
Library Director, Dorothy Howell, expressed enthusiasm for the new initiative, stating, “Our patrons have expressed a desire for STEAM programs, which the CCPL currently does not offer. This program will address this need by providing engaging and educational experiences for both school-age children and senior citizens.”
The Mobile Maker Lab, backed by grant funding, is set to change STEAM learning across the Carteret County Public Library branches. This innovative initiative brings together a diverse selection of makerspaces, including a 3D Printer Lab, Green Screen Lab, Sewing Lab, and an Explorers Lab, designed to provide a hands-on learning experience in various STEAM disciplines.
Key features of the lab include a range of specialized areas: a Green Screen Makerspace for multimedia projects; a 3D Makerspace outfitted with a LulzBot Taz Workhorse for three-dimensional printing; a Sewing Lab that houses everything from basic sewing to advanced embroidery machines; a Coding Makerspace with tools to introduce coding in an interactive manner; an Explorers Makerspace equipped with digital microscopes and creative materials; an Engineer Makerspace filled with LEGO robotics and building sets; and a Gaming Lab featuring a Nintendo Switch and virtual reality headsets. To support these areas, the addition of iPads and laptops will ensure that library patrons have access to the latest technology for an enriching educational experience.
Through these diverse and interactive spaces, the Mobile Maker Lab aims to foster creativity, problem-solving, and a love for learning among patrons of all ages, setting a new standard for library programs and community engagement in the technological age. The library invites the community to experience the new resources as they travel between branches.
This program is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-252476-OLS-22).
The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. Through the LSTA Grants to States program, IMLS provides funds to State Library agencies using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services; they may also distribute the funds through competitive subgrants to public and academic libraries. To learn more about the Institute, visit www.imls.gov.
For further details, visit the Carteret County Public Library System’s website at carteretcountypubliclibrary.org.
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