Grant will allow Huntley library to offer STEM programs for adults

Adults who need a refresher on math or need to upgrade their technology skills might get some help from the Huntley Area Public Library.

The library will receive a $3,500 National Science Foundation grant next year to provide science-based programs for adults.

It's part of the "Rural Gateways: Fostering the Development of Rural Librarians as Informal Science Facilitators" project - a collaboration between Dartmouth College, Dominican University, the Institute of Learning Innovation, Dawson Media Group, and the Califa Group.

For this project, 110 rural libraries were chosen out of more than 300 applicants to collectively receive roughly $1.9 million in funding through Sept. 30, 2020, to develop STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning centers. Through online professional development exercises, library staff will enhance their knowledge, enabling them to develop and support new STEM learning mechanisms in their communities.

STEM and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) are popular topics for children's education, but rarely a focus of adult programming.

"It will be fun to try something new," said Leigh Ann Porsch, library head of marketing and public relations. "It's really a unique thing to offer, and certainly an opportunity for adults to participate in educational programming that's meaningful."

Library officials don't yet know how they might use the grant money.

"There is often a disconnect in people's minds about the place of science and math in our lives. But, in fact, we're all scientists," library Director Frank Novak said. "We use math and chemistry when cooking, farmers use engineering on their combines, and artists use science when creating art. We're not just surrounded by science, we're all doing science."

While most programs for adults involve bringing in speakers, the library does offer a few hands-on programs, such as a stitchery club and classes on how to use tablets, smartphones and computers.

Any STEM programming for adults would be open to anyone 18 and older.

The programs funded by the grant are essentially "book club meets science cafe," officials said.

Attendees might read a preselected popular book, then come to the library for an event or activity during which they discuss the book. They might watch and discuss a short human interest video where scientific ideas touched on in the book intersect with everyday life.