What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1326793
JANUARY 10-16, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 7 COVER STORY Hererra says the library has added more than 100,000 new items during the course of the expansion. The increase is especially obvious in the bins and bins of new books in the pre-school section of the Children's Library. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Lara Jo Hightower) Kena Bailey, assistant manager of youth and teen services, says having a dedicated teen project room "means teen activities will not have to be planned around children's and adult programming. This largely increases the number of programs offered to teens, including multi-day programs and camps. Teen programming ranges from fun crafts to educational adulting classes. Most of all, we want the tweens and teens to feel like the teen area is their own safe and comfortable space." The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Center for Innovation Herrera says part of the planning for the expansion was to take a look at libraries all over the world and pull a little bit from the best of them. "Our whole goal is to expand your knowledge," she says. "Literacy goes beyond books. You can be literate in so many things — you just need the opportunity." If there's one thing the Center for Innovation offers, it's opportunity. This suite of studios will feature audio and video production facilities, podcasting booths, a fabrication and robotics lab, a virtual reality studio, a computer bank and co-working space, a photo studio and a simulation lab for forklifts, backhoe, aviation, standard vehicle and CDL training. Herrera says everything here is designed for a range of abilities, from the casual hobbyist to the person looking to boost their career with new skills. One thing the Center for Innovation does not want to be, however, is a rival for other area businesses. "Because this space is free, we didn't want to set up any kind of unfair competition," she says. "Our hope is that this is where you come to dip a toe into different hobbies that maybe you don't have access to, and, if you decide you want to do it professionally, you'll delve The expansion doubles the size of the Children's Library, with three dedicated spaces for pre-schoolers, middle graders and teenagers. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Lara Jo Hightower) in elsewhere at a more expert level. This is more of an opportunity to figure out if this is something you'll be really interested in before you commit however much money you need to further explore that." Herrera says orientation to the Center will include training from the knowledgeable staff, including Chris Moody, director of IT/AV and innovation. "We will continue technical organization memberships such as AES, AVID and AVIXA, and forge new partnerships with Make and other national organizations, as well as work with local and regional groups that focus on making and technology," says Moody. "Staff will stay up to date on technical certifications and, as the situation with covid improves, attend tech conferences. However, the most important part comes down to engaging a group of staff, trainers and volunteers that are passionate about technology and making and bringing their excitement to new programs and classes that can be enjoyed by our patrons."