Sharpsburg Community Library lands STEAM grant from state

Bee-Bots, robots, circuits and coding will be on the children’s program menu at Sharpsburg Community Library this winter thanks to a state grant.

The library at 1212 Main Street was awarded a Tinkering Kit from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, through the state Department of Education.

The kit is contains thousands of dollars worth of STEAM equipment, branch manager Sara Mariacher said.

“We are so excited. Our goal for STEAM programs is to provide high-quality experiences for everyone that they may not be able to have elsewhere,” said Erin Thompson, STEAM coordinator. “The Tinkering Kits will do just that.”

The kits are titled “Building Structures, Paths and Circuits” and were made available through the Library Services and Technology Act through the state’s Out-of-School Time project.

Equipment includes programmable robots and screen-free coding toys, among other items.

They will provide experiences for all ages, from preschool through adults, Thompson said.

The kits are aimed at supporting experimentation and hands-on testing. Items will be used during library programs and will focus on engineering, construction and circuitry.

“For decades, libraries have been the portal for individuals to be introduced to the latest technologies and receive instruction to be proficient users of all kinds of software, hardware and internet resources,” Susan Banks, acting deputy secretary and state librarian, said in a statement.

“These Tinkering Kits put Maker activities in the hands of all kids across the commonwealth. Everyone belongs in this Maker world – and libraries can help young Makers connect to their interests and dreams for the future.”

Sharpsburg Community Library hosts after school programs at 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

For more, visit coopersiegelcommunitylibrary.org