The GIANT Room Partners with The Connecticut State Libraries

We are partnering with The Connecticut State Library to bring GIANT creative STEM programs to families in Connecticut. As part of this partnership, we provided partnered a set of three professional learning workshops to librarians in the state. Librarians were brought together to receive training on ways to implement creative STEM-based family programs to energize community building, and to invite families to libraries to help them connect to their community in new ways.

To be selected for an in-person event facilitated by The GIANT Room, all potential libraries were required to submit a written application that explained why their library should be chosen. When Claudette Stockwell, director of Killingly Public Library, submitted her application, she shared with us that she never imagined that her community would be selected. Listen to her podcast as she talks about her partnership with The GIANT Room and what it entails for her community.

On the Saturday before Halloween, the GIANT team joined families at the Killingly Public Library in Connecticut for a special Halloween event. Sparked by a collection of library books, children and families embarked on a creative STEM workshop, crafting potions, spell books, and monsters. The excitement doesn't end there! Sparked by the projects from this event, The GIANT team developed a Remix inspired by Laura Seeger Vaccaro's book, I Used to Be Afraid. Here you can download a free copy of this e-book, inviting readers on a journey to face their fears, dare to play, and overcome those fears.

As part of the next phase of our partnership with The Connecticut State Libraries, we’re partnering with five more public libraries to design and implement a series of creative STEM programs for families. These libraries include Ansonia Public Library, Ansonia CT; Bristol Public Library, Bristol, CT; Granby Public Library, Granby, CT; Tiverton Public Library, Tiverton, RI; and Warwick Public Library, Warwick, RI.

Funding was made possible by the Connecticut State Library and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This opportunity will include monthly online meetings, resources and ongoing support to ensure success for future programs.