Ann and I presented an overview of the role libraries are playing in Idaho’s education system to the House and Senate Education Committees on Wednesday. The legislators seemed to enjoy the video we showed on our role in preparing more students to be college and career ready (check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdmqxgS8O1g). We were able to share a few highlights of things you are doing: “Idaho libraries have been able to leverage their work on the local level and tap into several national opportunities that are pretty exciting.
– The Driggs branch of the Valley of the Tetons District Library was selected as one of three national sites to partner with NASA to help develop activities and resources focusing on the August total solar eclipse.
– Salmon Public Library is working with Google and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to develop a local biomimicry initiative, in cooperation with the school district and Forest Service.
– And Glenns Ferry Public Library was recently selected as one of 15 small and rural libraries nationwide to re-imagine and re-configure their library space to enable more active learning, exploration, and collaboration.”
Special thanks to the libraries we highlighted! We loved the photo from Driggs. We closed with this call to action: “If you haven’t had the chance to visit the public, school and academic libraries in your district, I encourage you to make the time to see how they are sparking curiosity, connections and creativity.” I hope they do visit your libraries after the session. You are all doing some amazing things!
