Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined City Council President David A. Salvatore, FabNewport Executive Director Steve Heath, Providence Public Library Executive Director Jack Martin, Providence Community Libraries Youth Services Specialist Jennifer Romans, community members and representatives from Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art and Young Voices to announce the launch of the innovative PVD Young Makers program, which will introduce makerspaces to ten public libraries citywide to expand youth access to advanced digital technologies and creative design tools.

“PVD Young Makers prepares our kids to be the next generation of makers, designers, creatives, and big thinkers in our city,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Our children are creative by nature and by supporting their curiosity, we are supporting their futures.”

PVD Young Makers seeks to bolster STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning by promoting creativity and positive youth development to better prepare youth for the 21st century global workforce. Youth will be exposed to advanced manufacturing tools that include sewing machines, VR cameras and viewers, vinyl cutters, laser cutters, Dash Robots, and 3D printers.

“Opportunities like PVD Young Makers helps to ensure that Providence remains the ‘Creative Capital’,” said City Council President David A. Salvatore. “These opportunities that merge art, science and technology will prepare our students to not only think broadly and boldly, but will help them be competitive in a changing workforce as they grow older.”

Youth will also earn badges as they become more proficient at using each tool, entitling holders to access, with the support of a PVD Young Maker’s Coach or librarian, that piece of equipment at any library or partner organization.

“Libraries are the perfect platform for launching this endeavor,” said Steve Heath. “They already serve as community hubs, are experienced with digital technologies and excellent at mentoring, connecting, and guiding.”

The City partnered with non-profit FabNewport following a competitive bid process last year. This year, the City has proposed to invest $250,000 to expand access to the PVD Young Makers program. In addition to these funds, FabNewport is leveraging over $400,000, nearly doubling the total amount invested in the program to date.

“Providence Public Library is proud to be a partner on this important citywide initiative to expose our young people to dynamic learning opportunities and empower them with hands-on experiences they will need to succeed in our technology-based world,” said Jack Martin. “We want Providence’s youth and families to know that their libraries are places where they can come to learn and grow, whatever their interests and goals may be.”

For more information, please visit http://pvdyoungmakers.com/.

Spring Programming Schedule:

Monday

Knight Memorial (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Olneyville (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Smith Hill (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Tuesday

Mt. Pleasant (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Olneyville (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Rochambeau (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Washington Park (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Wednesday

Rochambeau (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Smith Hill (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
South Providence (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
PPL (6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Thursday

Mt. Pleasant (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Washington Park (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Knight Memorial (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Wanskuck (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Friday

Fox Point (2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Wanskuck (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Washington Park (1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Saturday

PPL (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)