STEM To Go & Storytime Kits

STEM Kit in use featuring a structure built out of large magnetic tiles in a library.

Topics:

Toolkits
Youth Services
Federally Funded
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About the Kits

STEM To Go and Storytime Kits are offered to youth librarians and library staff who develop and execute youth and teen programming in Iowa public libraries. The State Library developed the kits to assist libraries in offering quality STEM and storytime programs to their communities. STEM To Go kits include activities related to science, technology, engineering, and math for kids and teens, and Storytime Kits are designed to incorporate the five early literacy skills for children.

Important Information About the Kits:

  • Kits are only available to Iowa public libraries for use inside their library and are not intended for checkout by patrons.
  • The kits are available on a first come, first serve basis and cannot be reserved for specific dates.
  • The kits will be sent to and from libraries via IA Shares.
  • Checkout period for the kits is five weeks and renewals are not available.
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How to Request Kits

Librarians can submit a request for kits within the State Library catalog by following these steps:

  1. Find a kit you're interested in reserving. A link to browse all of the kits in the State Library Catalog is provided below.
  2. Click the "Place Hold" link on the right side of the webpage.
  3. Log in to your library's account in the State Library Catalog with your Library's username and password. If you don't remember your library's login information, contact the State Library Reference Desk.
  4. State Library staff receive the request and send the kit out via IA Shares.
State Library Catalog

Browse All STEM To Go & Storytime Kits

Click on a kit for more information and to view availability. Log in to your library account to place a hold or request a kit.

Browse All Kits
Zoo storytime kit featuring books, animal puppets and figurines.
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Kit Resources

Access read-only Google Docs with inventory sheets and startup guides for each kit:

Damaged or Missing Kit Items

If items from a kit are missing or damaged, please contact Janeé.Jackson-Doering@iowa.gov.

Sending Kits via IA Shares

IA Shares is a free, twice weekly delivery service for public libraries provided by the State Library. Libraries must use IA Shares to receive delivery of kits and return them to the State Library. Find out more about IA Shares below and use the MOBIUS Label Maker to generate and print a label to send a kit back to the State Library.

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Kit Guidelines & Policies

Read the guidelines and policies for checking out STEM To Go & Storytime Kits.

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Submit Feedback on the STEM To Go & Storytime Kits

In order to gauge the success and impact of the kits and meet reporting requirements for federal funding, please complete a brief survey after you have used the STEM To Go or Storytime Kits in your library’s programming.

The survey will help determine how the kits can be improved and what additional kits would be helpful to offer Iowa libraries.

Take the Survey

Institute of Museum and Library Services logo

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services

This program or resource is made possible in part by the IMLS under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.

Find out more about Federal LSTA funding
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