The NEFLIN Board of Directors has awarded the following libraries Innovation Project funding in 2015.
St. Johns County Public Library: Circulating Tablets
Award Amount: $10,000
The project will provide for the purchase of 50 Google Nexus 7 tablets, plus cases and screen protectors, to be used as the Library System’s initiation of loaning tablets to the public, following the current trend of national and statewide library and school systems. The tablets will be pre-loaded with e-resources and then distributed to the public. These tablets would better enable the access of our St. Johns County citizens to the e-books and subscription databases that the Library System is currently providing.
Florida Gateway College Library: Family Friendly Study Space
Award Amount: $3,914
The FGC Library is busy with students and community users enjoying the numerous resources available here, and we often have small children in the library with their parents while they are working or studying. We need to redesign an existing small area in the library where children can quietly be engaged in educational programs, games and toys with their supervising parent or parents close by, able to do their own computer work in the same child-friendly space. The addition of child-appropriate technology, furnishings and fun activities will create a Family Friendly Study Space.
Putnam County Public Library: Mobile Community Makerspace and Digital Media Lab
Award Amount: $10,000
A makerspace in our library system will (1) provide our community with a mobile (work) space for creation and innovation, (2) encourage our young patrons to explore STEAM-related careers, and (3) show the community that the library is more than just a place for books – it’s a place to learn, grow, and experiment with technology. Finally, with more tools and resources at our disposal, our librarians will not only be able to enhance existing programs but offer even more.
Clay County Public Library: Mobile Computer Labs
Award Amount: $9,050
To create mobile computer labs to utilize for classes and programming for all ages. To be available for all libraries, but primarily focused on meeting the demands of our smaller branch libraries that do not currently house a computer lab. This technology expands our library system’s opportunities to provide in-house and remote technology-based youth programming, continuing education adult programming, and staff training, in library spaces such as meeting rooms and other non-traditional computer lab settings.
Jacksonville Public Library: School Age Traveling Tales
Award Amount: $7,000
Jacksonville Pubic Library’s School Age Traveling Tales project will expand the highly successful and innovative early literacy Traveling Tales children’s story kits to a collection which is appropriate for school-aged readers. Constantly in demand, the early literacy kits circulate at a phenomenal rate with the most popular titles having over 20 holds. NEFLIN grant funding will enable the library to create a minimum of 20 new Traveling Tales to support the educational success of children ages 6-12. Much like your tablet or smartphone, Traveling Tales kits go everywhere—they include 4-7 age-appropriate library books, CD, theme-based educational manipulative and manual.
Flagler County Public Library: Wireless Mobile Laptop eLab
Award Amount: $10,000
To establish a wireless mobile computer lab. The library will be able to present training sessions to the public on various topics. Some of these topics may include: basics of Internet searching, setting up email, downloading e-books, access to E-government services and using the library’s online resources. Many public libraries are providing a similar service so this grant will allow the Flagler County Public Library the ability to afford our customers with computer literacy training and prepare them for the digital age.