Hi everyone! My name is Ada and I joined the PLIX team in December 2021.
I was motivated to join PLIX because I believe in lifelong learning through hands-on activities. When I was a kid in NYC, I was always at the local library for books and all the making activities they had going on. It was such a treat because my parents, being immigrants, were always working and did not know how to support my interests. In my career, Iāve been on projects developing low-tech resources for teachers, out-of-school data science education, and researching the kinds of STEM learning that occur in makerspaces.
I dream of future libraries to be gathering places, with the feeling that you are visiting a good friendās home. You can borrow their books but also borrow kitchenware for new recipes, hear about the local places to visit or avoid, ask for help with a project, or even go there to offer your help on other peoplesā projects.
Recently, Iāve been into making low poly paper crafts. They can be challenging but so very rewarding! Also I made a modular couch as my quarantine hobby.
Hello from below zero Wisconsin! Iām Renee at Westbyās Bekkum Memorial Library! Iām looking forward to working on the Spatial Poetry project! Iām brainstorming on where I want this to lead. We are working on community building so I may create something that can include the community: school, businesses and community members!
Hey everyone! My name is Katy and I am the director of the Angier Public Library in Angier, NC. Being a tiny library, on top of my admin/budget/managerial duties, I also am in charge of collections management, tech services, and program development. Lotās of hats to wear over here. I am excited to join this community after finding it through the ARSL and applying for the Phase 2 toolkit project. We are going to be working on the paper circuits through the project, but definitely planning to remix some of these other activities as we work on building our tween/teen programming. I hope to see the library continue to be where people from all walks of life feel like they belong and that there is something there for them. I love to use the hashtag #morethanjustbooks but I definitely donāt ever want to see the library lost the focus on the physical book.
Iāve been working at home recently on learning to refinish furniture (cheap way to update the house!), and tried my hand at painting and aging a free dresser I snagged. DIY anything and everything for me at home and at work!
Wow! Iām getting a lot of ideas for spatial poetry! It can present in many different ways! While I process this great information, Iām thinking about how to use spatial poetry for my library project. Iām drawn to this being an outlet for those who feel they donāt fit in to this dominant and historically Norwegian community. I may even ruffle some Nordic feathers! Is this where I reply going forward? Iām a bit confused about where to respond (and how). Thanks for shaking things up in a mighty and small Westby, WI.
Hi everyone - My name is Lynn Dever and I direct two small rural libraries in Northern Idaho. I responded to an email regarding the PLIX Phase 2 toolkit project. At one of my libraries we began to do STEAM projects two summers ago and then added a small Makerspace. Now that is where the kids head when they enter the library. I am always looking for new ideas to motivate the kids here since there is really not a lot to do in these small communities.
We have recently done a couple of projects centered on space so I picked the Space Food toolkit. I received my box of supplies last week and I am thinking of some examples that I can make to help the kids brainstorm.
We hold an event each month on a Saturday and we will use this event in February. When I asked the staff what they thought they looked at me kind of funny. They thought that we would be cooking space food. So now I really have to come up with some good stuff to show them how fun this is!
Ada or Michelle - is there a link to a Space Food discussion?
Thank you!
Katy - I have a buffet that looks very much like this. It is very high quality and it was my Momās long ago. Can you tell me what you used on this? I really like old pieces because they are so well made and real wood.
Thank you,
Lynn
Hey Lynn!
So this was actually a newer (15-20 yr) dresser that had a shiny varnished finish. I used Chalk paint and then aged it with another type of paint. Best part is that you donāt have to sand or anything, and once the curing period is over the paint is very durable. You can put a wax on it or a top coat if you want as well. I would definitely recommend the chalk paint thoughā¦easiest thing Iāve ever used on furniture!
Hi Everyone! My name is Ulyses and I work as a library manager for the Walla Walla County Rural Library District in Washington state. I heard about PLIX through my director, who specifically referred me to the Spatial Poetry activity, as Iām a poet.
Iām looking forward to learning ways to incorporate poetry into my librariesā programming, and more generally to make poetry an activity that more kids are exposed to as a form of play and exploration.
As far as recent creations are concerned, Iāve written three poems today (so far).
Hi everyone!
My name is Jen and I am the Activity Services Guide with the Pines & Plains Libraries located in a small rural county on the eastern plains of Colorado. I am honored to be part of the PLIX program and look forward to working with and learning from each of you. I may be periodically unavailable as I am due to deliver our baby girl in about two weeks but hope to be able to participate and engage as much as possible!
I canāt wait to find ways to develop programming for our library branches and bringing new and exciting STEAM projects to our community and kids.
Hello! This Renee from Bekkum Memorial Library in Westby, WI. I am working on Spatial Poetry and looking forward to the meeting today. Iām still trying to figure out how to post photos here! Yikes!
Iāll get there!
Hello! My name is Jessica Fouts and Iām the director at the Lied Battle Creek Public Library. Iām taking part in the phase 2 of the Rural and Tribal Libraries toolkit project. Iāve had a bit of difficulty figuring out this technology so I was here and disappeared and am back. Iām excited to being doing the inflatables and am brainstorming about how I can do this project with our community. I came on as the director about 4 years ago and have started some different STEAM programming with mixed results. When our systems director posted about this opportunity with PLIX, I had to investigate and am now amazed at how this resource will help me bring more STEAM opportunities to our community.
Hi, everyone! Iām Stephanie and Iām a lead library specialist with the Martin County Library System in Florida.
My job involves educating both the public and staff on emerging technologies, so joining PLIX was a natural fit for me, even before I got this position. I love combining tech with art and helping to solve the question āwhat is technology and why should we care?ā, a question a manager posed to me and has since informed my practice.
Along this line, I put together a Paper Circuits kit that will circulate through our six libraries. Iām doing my two branches first, then weāre moving it along to other branches. Weāre already full for both events! Weāre also planning on how to remix Paper Circuits at other events throughout the system using other equipment like our Cricut and Silhouette machines.
So this is another reason I joined PLIX: to get ideas for projects for my patrons. I largely work with adults, many of whom are reticent about getting involved with technology. Programs like Paper Circuits are my way of bridging that gap between reluctance and curiosity - and with something to take home that they made! I love MITās idea of āLifelong Kindergartenā and have shared the page with my team, hoping they will get some ideas for their own programs as well.
Iām so looking forward to working with and alongside everyone to make our library a more tech-friendly placeā¦for everyone!
My name is Ada and I joined the PLIX team in December 2021. 
You can borrow their books but also borrow kitchenware for new recipes, hear about the local places to visit or avoid, ask for help with a project, or even go there to offer your help on other peoplesā projects.
They can be challenging but so very rewarding! 
Also I made a modular couch 
as my quarantine hobby.
PaperCircuits!
and explorations 
: 
Space Food kitchen tool remix over at 
Weāre thrilled to have you on board for such a well-matched 
activity.