BOONE, Iowa—The Ericson Public Library in Boone is one of 75 libraries in the country to be selected to participate a the NASA@My Library project.  Part of the grant requirements seeks a community dialogue about the programming developed for use by the participating libraries.  Zach Stier, Children’s Librarian at the Ericson Public Library, has said the project has made it possible to include several partners which help expand and enhance the programs presented to the public.  Part of the grant requirement was to provide information about those partnering efforts and ideas about how to expand partnerships.

Thursday, the Ericson Public Library hosted several of those partners and potential partners, along with Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, for a Community Dialogue to discuss the needs of the community and identify ways the library can help provide ongoing access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) experiences, resources and connections to experts.  Identify groups in the community that may be under represented or under served and discuss ways to improve the participation and service to those groups.  The Dialogue also included potential other collaborations and partnerships to enhance the programming included NASA related programming.

Reynolds and Gregg both congratulated the Ericson Public Library and staff for obtaining the NASA@My Library project.  She talked about the efforts to begin and expand STEM program across the state, nation and even internationally.  She said the things happening in the Boone are just an example of the kind of development and success that come from collaborative efforts.  She said the public libraries like the Ericson Public Library are instrumental in being a part of the growth STEM and the Scale Up programs that are following.

The Ericson Public Library’s NASA@My Library will be continuing this year, with several exciting opportunities for families to participate.

Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg take part in a Community Dialogue at the Ericson Public Library in Boone Thursday