Charles City Public Library receives IPTV STEM backpacks

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

A library card is a powerful tool that can be beneficial in the learning process for children of all ages.

One can check out books, listen to music and enter a world with virtually no limits.

Now Charles City residents can add backpacks to that list.

Children and adults can now check out three different backpacks that were awarded to the CC Library through a grant courtesy of Iowa Public Television and the STEM educational program.

By this summer, more than 250 backpacks will have been awarded to libraries across the state, as well as to child care centers and preschools.

The red, blue and gray backpacks include books, DVDs and other items that are geared toward children from 3-8 years of age.

“It’s a fun way to learn,” said Stacey Leerhoff, youth director at the CC Library.

Leerhoff said the backpacks were cataloged last Friday and are able to be checked out for a period of two weeks.

IPT partnered with The Coons Foundation and The Max and Helen Guernsey Charitable Foundation to provide the backpacks.

They focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. Leerhoff said there are picture books, easy reader non-fiction books, pattern cards and building blocks in some of the backpacks.

A “Sid the Science Kid” video is included in one backpack. Other topics that the backpacks can inform kids on are structures and buildings as well as roller coasters.

“You can learn about the concept in a fun way by playing with it,” said Leerhoff. “You can also read the stories and watch the movie.”