Title
Library Services and Technology Act Funds Reallocation (Ordinance S-44445)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve the reallocation of Library Services and Technology Act funds originally awarded in April 2017 through the Arizona State Library for a Robotics Parts Library. The Arizona State Library (grantor) has agreed there will be a greater service impact for these funds to be used toward expanding computer lab and related equipment to be used in innovation and technical makerspace programming at Phoenix Public Library's MACH1. Funds in the amount of $50,000 will be reallocated. Further authorize the City Controller to disburse the funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
In April 2017 Phoenix Public Library (PPL) was awarded $50,000 in Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to establish a Robotics Parts Library as part of the services provided by PPL's makerspace MACH1, located on the 4th floor of Burton Barr Central Library. With the extended temporary closure of Burton Barr Central Library (BBCL), Phoenix Public Library has taken this opportunity to restrategize several aspects of its makerspace programming and expand and enhance the innovation and technical programmatic capacity of MACH1.
The MACH1 Innovation and Technical Makerspace Expansion project will address an area of high need with additional equipment. The current computer training area is used daily, sometimes four to five times in one day. MACH1 has offered multiple classes and camps over the last two years and almost all have been full to capacity. MACH1’s current limited offering of classes has not been enough to address the need.
For the expansion, project funds will be used to create another computer lab where classes in coding, 3D modeling, and robotics will be taught. In addition, funds will be used to purchase a laser cutter and equipment for a 3D printer lab.The expansion would double our student capacity. The MACH1 expansion project is striving to accomplish the following outcomes:
- Instructional classes in MACH1 will increase by 200 percent over the next year.
- Students who attend classes will gain skills in technology, math, engineering, team building, creativity and more, thereby increasing their ability to take advanced STEM classes in high school; increase their likelihood of going to college for a STEM degree; and make them marketable employees in the Phoenix STEM job market as they leave high school.
Financial Impact
Funds, in the amount of $50,000, awarded in April 2017 to Phoenix Public Library from Library Services and Technology Act through the Arizona State Library will be reallocated to be used for the MACH1 Innovation and Technical Makerspace Expansion project.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for approval by the Parks, Arts, Education and Equality Subcommittee on March 14, 2018 by a vote of 4-0.
Location
Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Library Department.