Neligh Library Selected For Rural Community Project

​The Neligh library was one of just 18 selected to participate in  Nebraska’s Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project to create library makerspaces.

The Nebraska Library Commission was recently awarded a National Leadership Grant of $530,732 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for this partnership project with the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension, Regional Library Systems and local public libraries.

“This partnership demonstrates how our Nebraska communities can use technology and education to empower community residents to create, learn, and invent,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “By expanding the skills of the workforce in our communities, supporting entrepreneurs, and encouraging lifelong learning, this partnership reinforces our vibrant business climate and supports community development.”

The project uses Library Innovation Studios maker-spaces hosted by public libraries to support community engagement and participatory learning experiences by providing access to technology and innovative learning tools not readily accessible locally. This is expected to stimulate creativity, innovation and the exchange of ideas to facilitate entrepreneurship, skills development and local economic development.
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Neligh is one of 18 initial local library partners that will host one of the four rotating makerspaces.