Owatonna Library grant hopes to attract teens

An Owatonna Public Library plan to draw in more teen-aged patrons recently got a $37,000 boost through a nationwide grant program.
Library director Mark Bando said city administrator Kris Busse found information about the T-Mobile Home Grant program and asked for project ideas. According to a company press release, the $25 million initiative supports “the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow by providing funding to kickstart important new community development projects.”
The city’s application was among just 25 selected for grant awards. Funded projects range from public wi-fi access in downtown Northport, Alabama to a downtown performing arts center in Rexburg, Idaho.
Bando said the library’s $37,000 award will completely fund a makerspace and revamp the second-floor teen area. While some teens already use the space, he hopes adding a wider selection of young adult and graphic novels, as well as a few more hands-on items, will encourage others to join them.
To prepare the grant, Bando reached out to area libraries with makerspaces. They shared feedback from their teen groups about the things kids liked and wanted to see in their libraries.
“We do a great job of getting the younger kiddos in, but somewhere along the line, we lose them,” Bando said. “The plan is to not only get (teens) into the library but give them fun stuff to do.”
That fun stuff includes two 3-D printers, a laser cutter, an engraver, a Cricut vinyl cutter, and podcasting equipment. The library has also purchased a Nintendo Switch gaming system and may offer some virtual reality programming.
Cool furnishings like booth seats are also part of the plan, which shifts into high gear this spring and summer. Provided supply chain issues don’t gum up the works, Bando hopes to have an opening celebration in the fall.
Owatonna Public Schools, a partner in the grant, will help get the word out about what’s available. The library also plans outreach to homeschooling families and the community through signage, public access channels, and good, old-fashioned word of mouth.
Bando expects to take some of the equipment on the road, not only to schools but also to West Hills Social Commons, a gathering spot for adults 50 and older. The idea, he said, is to promote life-long learning and expose as many people as possible to the new equipment.
The project is part of a two-year renovation plan that will affect all three floors of the historic building. A restroom has already been added on the third floor. Plans also include all new shelving, new circulation desks on the first and second floors, new furnishings, and additional small meeting spaces and conference rooms.
“It’s an exciting time for the library,” Bando said.