Title
Apply for, Accept and Expend Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Funds for Robotics Parts Library (Ordinance S-43289)
Description
Request to authorize the Phoenix Public Library Department to apply for, accept, and if awarded, authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement for a 2017 Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) grant in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Further authorize the City Treasurer to accept and the City Controller to disburse the funds for purposes of this ordinance.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Public Library (PPL) seeks permission to apply for, accept and expend a $50,000 LSTA grant through the Arizona State Library that will allow the library to expand STEM programming curriculum and add new curriculum around robotics for underserved youth. The library will leverage current partnerships and resources to encourage college and career readiness in Robotics, Engineering and Computer Science fields for youth. Grant money will be spent on a Robotics Lending Library of reusable equipment, housed within Phoenix Public Library's Makers Space, MACH1 on the 4th Floor of Burton Barr Central Library. MACH1 has a unique role in the community in that it is the only free makerspace in the City of Phoenix. MACH1 provides access to quality educational programming that prepares students and families for success, supporting PHXAchieves' priority of early literacy, math proficiency, high school completion, and college and career readiness.
MACH1 continues the PPL tradition of bridging the digital divide for students by providing access to current and future technology. In addition to after-school and evening programming, MACH1 also offers four-day STEM camps during spring, fall and summer breaks which allow students to have an in-depth learning experience. This special collection will be loaned to Robotics teams throughout the City of Phoenix to teach robotics. A robotics parts library will last 8-10 years with only replenishment of software, rubber pieces and programmable computers. Free library programming will consist of after-school and summer classes and camps aimed at underserved youth who do not have access to robotics resources through their schools or at home.
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is the only federal program exclusively for libraries. It is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). State libraries use the funds to support statewide initiatives and also distribute the funds through sub-grants or cooperative agreements to public, school, academic, research and special libraries. Every fiscal year, Congress provides funding for LSTA in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Federal resources help target library services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited literacy skills.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was unanimously approved at the Jan. 25, 2017 Parks, Arts, Education and Equality Subcommittee meeting.
Location
Burton Barr Central Library at 1221 N. Central Ave.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Library Department.