Local library changing with the times

The Snake River Community School Library in Blackfoot is changing with the times, replacing books with technology.

The library received a grant from the Idaho Commission for Libraries to pay for makerspaces. Makerspaces are areas where people and students can create, invent and learn with technology. To create room for the areas, libraries are getting rid of books.

Library Director Sherrilynn Bair said local libraries have to keep up with emerging technology.

“If libraries don’t change they will become obsolete,” she said.

Bair said one way to keep up with technology is makerspaces. The space in the library is equipped with technology like 3D printers, 3D scanners and robotic kits.

Bair said the hands-on experience can benefit students and adults.

“The skills that people need to be employable and successful are creativity and problem solving. People need to be able to create something, figure out what is wrong with it and fix it,” said Bair.

The cost factor is what makes the spaces so appealing to library visitors. For instance, a 3D printer is something most people can’t afford, but now it is at their local library.

Bair said with the evolving digital age, the books must go.

Last year she said the library had about 45,000 books, but now there are less than 40,000.

The library is in the process of getting a 3D scanner with the grant money. Library staff hope to construct a big area for the makerspace tools.

The old books are available for purchase. You can check here, http://snakeriverlibrary.com/.