Neligh Library Adds Free Innovative Services

The Neligh Public Library is at the forefront of innovation for the next 20 weeks with the arrival of the Library Innovation Studios on Monday, April 9.

The library is excited to be a part of the Nebraska Library Commission Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities Project. The project is being funded by a National Leadership Grant of $530,732, awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (MILS).

The project uses kits, or makerspaces, hosted by public libraries for a period of around 20 weeks. The grant allowed the Nebraska Library Commission to purchase four of these kits to use at a total of 30 libraries in rural communities by June 30, 2020.

The makerspaces are free for the public to come and use at any time during the 20 weeks. The only thing that the public will have to pay for is consumable materials for the equipment unless you bring in your own materials to use.

The Library Innovation Studios consist of various equipment, machines, and technology. Most notable are a 3D printer, laser cutter, and CNC router. Also included in the studio is a vinyl cutter, embroidery/sewing machine, heat press, laminator, and a button maker kit.

Individual kits in the studio include Lego Mindstorms, an Arduiono starter kit for programming and coding, a SparkFun inventor’s kit, a Makey Makey invention kit, a camera and video creator kit complete with a green screen, a music and recording kit, and a soldering kit.

All the machines and equipment have their own individual manuals and instruction guides. A team of community member volunteers have also been trained on how to use the equipment and are able to train the public on using the machines.

The library is planning to hold an open house in mid-May, but Jennifer Norton, library director, said, “People are welcome to come in, ask question, and learn more right now.” They will have training sessions and events, such as a maker’s showcase, planned and scheduled very soon.

The goals of this project include: empowering rural community members with the tools and knowledge to explore, collaborate, create, learn, and invent and allowing libraries to transform their rural communities through the individual learning spaces while establishing themselves as strong motivators for change within the community.