They’re not code-breakers; they’re code makers.
Maricopa Public Library and the Ak-Chin Indian Community Library were among 19 in the state to receive funds for computer coding clubs.
Arizona State Library set aside more than $45,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The funds give libraries access to a Coding Club program through Prenda, founded by Kelly Smith.
“This program allows us at the library to host a Coding Club for school-aged children,” said Ann Marie Creegan, senior library coordinator at Maricopa Public Library. “The children are able to create an account and then move through fun games that teach them coding at their own pace.”
She said some may be interested for only a few weeks, but others may want to continue beyond the program and even make a career of it. That is the intent of the program’s founder.
“Most Arizona kids today are surrounded with technology, but they do not have access to the resources and role models necessary to qualify them for high-paying software jobs,” Smith said. “With an early start at the library, many of these kids will go on to drive technological innovation and boost the state’s economy, and some may even create the next world-changing app or website.”
At Maricopa Public Library, the Coding Club started Feb. 3 within the S.M.A.R.T. Kids program. Two weeks from now at the Ak-Chin Library, the coding software will be part of an ongoing program called Game Hacker.
Librarian Jeffrey Stoffer said a parents night is planned Tuesday to introduce them to the program. Children there have been using Drag-and-Drop coding and Scratch and create interactive games.
“They love it,” Stoffer said. “They love it so much that even though we haven’t done it since November of last year, a couple of kids have been hand-drawing concepts for games they want to create. That enthusiasm is what we want to build onto.”
The Ak-Chin Library already has a video program that instills parental involvement. Stoffer said he hopes the Coding Club program will do the same.
At each weekly Coding Club meeting, children can log into their accounts and pick up where they left off. The program uses games that teach coding and advance to higher levels as they wish.
“The program also gives them access from home if they would like to continue what that learned at the library,” Creegan said. “Parents also receive an email on their child’s progress throughout the club.”
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is a division of the Secretary of State’s Office.
“Libraries were invited to apply to receive the resources to run a Code Club – staff training webinars, the Code Club software and support – for one year,” said Kim Crawford, spokesperson for the state library.
Stoffer said the Ak-Chin Library was excited to see the offer and was glad to see the state library responded to all her applied.
“These kids are 8 to 12 years old already doing this,” he said. “The future is limitless.”
Maricopa Public Library
Ak-Chin Indian Community Library
