Workings of the Lending Library

Hey everyone! My name is Eleanor Scott, and I am a STEM Ambassador with the West Tennessee STEM hub. Since I joined the STEM Hub, I have loved doing everything from STEM education to summer camps. However, my favorite job I have is working in the Lending Library. The Lending Library is a tool for all educators (public, private, or homeschooled) to better their STEM education for students K-12. Whether the lesson is on Geology, Chemistry, Physics, or robotics, the Lending Library has something for everyone.

Our Bee-bots are perfect for young budding roboticists, and our Vex IQ kits are great for older students. Our Engino Mechanics building kits are the best for aspiring engineers. We even have math kits to improve algebra, geometry, and probability skills. Add our stash of abacuses to the mix, the Lending Library is full of everything except the kitchen sink. It is an amazing resource that is free for educators to use for their students and classrooms; the only thing teachers need is to create an account with the Lending Library website.

As one of the Lending Library workers, it is my job to make sure all of the kits that are going out are in proper order. We make sure that every kit that is checked out has the pieces needed, and if it does not, we make it right. With an account through the Lending Library, educators and Ambassadors have access to all the kits in our possession. Once an order is made, one of the Lending Library workers assembles the items for the teachers to come to pick up. When a teacher comes by the Lending Library, they will be greeted by one of the STEM Ambassadors that work there. My job is still not done though. Once the kits are returned, they must be checked and counted to make the entirety of the kit is still there so that other educators can have an amazing experience with that kit. Many days you will find me counting pieces of a VEX or K’NEX kit, putting together orders, or greeting teachers that come in. I cannot wait to see everyone there!