News & Events

Laredo Public Libraries Awarded Texas Reads Grant

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 17:25:38 +0000

Laredo Public Libraries Awarded Texas Reads Grant Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 10/01/2020 - 11:25

TSLAC Funds Laredo Public Libraries’ Build a Better Book Project

The Laredo Public Libraries were awarded $10,000 for a Build a Better Book Project through the TSLAC Texas Reads Grant for FY 2021. This grant funds programs that encourage people to read and develop a lifelong love of reading. The Laredo Public Libraries will use the funds to purchase a 3D Printer, laser cutter, and 3D pens to teach teen and adult volunteers technology skills and expose them to STEM careers as they design and create accessible, multi-modal picture books, graphics and games that can be seen, touched and heard. Participants will create these kits for the Webb County community--some of which will be used in-house or checked-out from the Laredo Public Libraries by patrons with visual impairments as well as other physical and learning disabilities.

Librarians Analiza Perez-Gomez and Jacqueline Flores Vela were trained in Build a Better Book methods at the University of Colorado Boulder in January 2020 and received a variety of tools to enhance reading experiences including braille slates, a 3D Pen, and a Makey Makey circuit board. Being one of two Texas locations selected to be part of the Build a Better Book Network, they were immediately inspired to take the project to the next level. Analiza commented, “I love technology, and I had been looking for a way to use technology in a meaningful, humanistic way. The Build a Better Book Workshop helped me see that ‘making with meaning’ could benefit those who need and deserve to have reading experiences in their full potency.” Jacqueline added, “This project is going to help both the patrons who are creating the accessible books, and the patrons using them. It will make reading fun for everyone regardless of their abilities or reading level.” Workshops will begin in January 2021 and registration will be available on the Laredo Public Library website at www.laredolibrary.org. You may also call Analiza or Jacqueline at 956-795-2400 for more information.

This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas State Library and Archives Commission (Grant Number TXR-21006). (2021)

The Laredo Public Libraries was recently awarded a $10,000 Texas Reads Grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The funding will go towards purchasing equipment and materials to support the library's Build a Better Book initiative that will teach teens and adult volunteers technology skills and offer avenues for exploring STEM career paths through the creation of multimodal books and games. Congratulations to Laredo Public Libraries!

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Empathy Expo

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Empathy Expo Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/17/2020 - 00:00

In Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the local library partnered with several schools and nearby organizations in a project culminating in an immersive exhibit called The Empathy Expo. Christina Keasler of the Glen Ellyn Public Library and John Bower of Ben Franklin Elementary attended the Build a Better Book workshop in Boulder, Colorado and became inspired. When they returned, they recruited teachers within the village's two school districts, as well as Phillip J Rock Center for the Deaf and Blind, C.A.S.E (Cooperative Association for Special Education) in DuPage County, and SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education).

Using materials gathered from SCARCE, participating students were given the opportunity to create a better book, game, or piece of art that can be experienced without the help of sight. After weeks of collaborating with peers and evaluation from experts, projects were submitted to the library's Empathy Expo. The expo was an immersive experience, hosted in a dimly lit room that prompted participants to rely on senses other than sight. Blindfolds were provided to enhance the experience if desired. The three day event attracted 300 attendees and local news coverage. Projects were donated to Phillip J. Rock Center and C.A.S.E. for practical use after the expo.

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Partner Highlight: Springfield-Greene County Library District, MO

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Partner Highlight: Springfield-Greene County Library District, MO Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/10/2020 - 00:00

Phyllis Davis, librarian at The Library Station has pulled together a wide-range of community members through participation in her Build a Better Book programs. Without a designated makerspace, Phyllis incorporated BBB into a regular "Teen Night" library program on Friday nights, introducing Design Thinking models, and partnering with 3Doodler who provided an education kit with a set of 3D printing pens. With this core group of 25 teens, Davis connected with teachers in the Springfield-Greene school district and preschool students with visual impairments. The teens delved into empathy-driven design and learned more about the kids as "clients" for their Build a Better Book projects. Working throughout November, Teen Night participants used 3D pens to create tactile illustrations of children's books that were shared with preschoolers from the Shining Stars Early Childhood Center in time for 3D Giving day on December 3, 2019. This spring, Davis is expanding the scope of Build a Better Book again by reaching out to the Missouri State Libary for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Teen Night participants are developing tactile board games with BVI students working with the state library for an interactive game night with sighted and blind teens playing games together. Davis has also adapted Build a Better Book for a four-week afternoon homeschool program and notes the flexibility of the project in tailoring projects to siblings of different ages. In a conversation with BBB staff, Davis says, "The great thing about BBB is that you can take it where you want to take it. You can go through the whole design process with this project...[It] can be adapted to whatever format the library wants to do...It's something very motivating for students. The [empathy] videos really blew them away and made them think differently about the kids they were designing for."

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Day of Giving with BBB Partners

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 18:55:16 +0000

Day of Giving with BBB Partners Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/05/2020 - 11:55

Build a Better Book teamed up with 3Doodler to promote Day of Giving on December 3. These BBB partners jumped in and combined 3D printing day with Giving Day to create tactile materials for blind or visually impaired members of their community. 3Doodler donated 3D printing pens and shared examples of how to enhance favorite children's books with tactile lines and details. Read 3Doodler's Blog about related events.

Middletown Free Library (Media, Pennsylvania) - Event on December 1. Promoted via their socials and website. Was covered by ABC News in Philadelphia here and the Delco Times here.

Springfield-Greene County Library District (Springfield, Missouri) - Events on November 15 and November 29. Gave their finished product away to preschoolers on December 3rd. Press release here. The district article covered it here.

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 06:00:00 +0000

Build a Better Book Training Workshop Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/08/2019 - 00:00

Now recruiting for new BBB Partner Sites! Online applications are now open for libraries, schools and community Makerspaces interested in becoming a Build a Better Book Partner Site! Successful applicants will be invited to participate in a two-day professional development workshop (Jan 29 - 31, 2020), in Boulder, Colo. This active workshop will provide the foundation for leading STEM workshops for teens to create tactile, multi-modal books and games for children who are blind or visually impaired or who have other physical or learning disabilities. Participating sites will receive a materials kit to help support program implementation, and are expected to support a multi-day program for teens in 2020.

Apply Online!

2020-2021 / Recruiting new partner sites for Build a Better Book! Apply online by November 1, 2019 for the training workshop on January 29 - 31, 2020, taking place in Boulder, Colorado.

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