State Library Launching STEM To Go & Storytime Kits for Checkout to Libraries

If you attended the STEM Fairs or Summer Reading Summits around the state this month, you heard the exciting news: the State Library is launching STEM To Go and Storytime Kits for checkout to public libraries! 

The kits (25 total, so far) can be used to supplement your library’s programming for children and teens and are not intended for patron checkout. The kits will be available on a first come, first serve basis and libraries can request up to three kits. Kits will be checked out for a five-week period and will be sent and returned via IA Shares.

The kits will be available to request starting this Friday, March 31 at 9:00 a.m. 

How to Request Kits

The kits are being managed in the State Library Catalog, and requests for each kit can be made by logging in to your library’s account in the catalog (not an individual patron account) and clicking “Place Hold” on the kit item record. If you do not know your library’s login information, please contact the State Library Reference Desk.

Note: Initially, it was communicated to attendees at the STEM Fairs and Summer Reading Summits that the kits would be available to request in SILO. However, because  SILO functionality does not allow you to see the availability of kits, place an actual hold request, or view your position in the holds list, it was decided that the SILO option would no longer be available and all requests would need to go through the State Library Catalog.

Get a Sneak Peek at the Kits

We anticipate high demand initially for the kits, and appreciate your understanding as we work out the kinks in the process and patience if hold times for the kits begin to grow. Rest assured the kits will be available for the foreseeable future and we are confident they will eventually make their way to every library that is interested!

Preview the kits at the link below; the kits are viewable in the catalog currently but will not be able to be requested until this Friday, March 31 at 9:00 a.m. You may want to test logging in to the State Library catalog before Friday and get ahold of State Library Reference if you have any questions.

STEM To Go and Storytime Kits Sneak Peek

STEM To Go and Storytime Kits are made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.