“These sessions have created new interest in technology careers.”

Try It…You’ll Like It!We usually hear “try it…you’ll like it” around the dinner table. But for a growing number of students, it’s perfect advice for experiencing computer science.

The public perceives that children

understand technology because they

are growing up with it. The truth

is that while children may know how to

use technology, they are not learning to

express themselves through it. Computer

science is absent from 75 percent of

school curriculums. And in this era that

we refer to as the “digital revolution,”

there are fewer computer science majors

now than there were 10 years ago! That

shortage is even more noticeable among

African Americans and women.

That’s why YouthQuest, an innovative

after-school enrichment program, is

bringing students to the Library to explore

technology through Tech StudiOH! “We

had our first session last November with

20 kids,” recalls Erin Durrett, Digital

Learning Specialist. “When I called the

site director to ask about a visit, there was

no hesitation! She just asked, ‘When can

we come?’”

Erin helped the student explore

coding during their first session.

“We did a Star Wars project,” Erin

says. “We used Scratch (a visual

programming code) to tell a robot

where to go on the screen to collect

pieces for his spaceship.”

Programming is about logic. “You need

to think through the steps of what you want

to do, and then assemble the bits of code to

make it happen,” Erin continues. “Scratch

is easy because you use buttons rather than

having to start with a coding language.”

Some of the kids really got into it, and did

multiple lessons on their first visit.

Since that visit worked out so well,

Erin and Korie Harden, the YouthQuest

Site Team Leader, decided to do another

session in January. This time, they

showcased computer aided design and the

capabilities of the 3D printer. “We showed

the students how a 3D printer works, and

then they did their own personalized

designs in our drawing program,” Erin

says. “No surprise…most of them drew

their own cell phone cases!”

YouthQuest is thrilled to partner with

the Library in this way. “These sessions are

giving my students exposure to coding,

which is a budding career option,” says

Korie. “It has created new interest in

technology careers.”

Students who are interested can pursue

many additional technology avenues

through Library resources. “Most of these

kids had never been to a Library activity,”

Erin notes. “Saturdays are full of fun and

crazy stuff, like Robot Rally or Minecraft

challenges. Our website also has a wealth

of technology options to explore.”

Simple software allows students to create designs for the 3D printer.

(Korie Harden, YouthQuest)

Best SellersO u r f a v o r i t e s t o r i e s a b o u t y o u r L i b r a r y ’ s i m p a c t • WINTER 2018

If ever you meet Pastor Anthony Artis,

ask him, “So, what do you do?” Then

sit down for a bit, because the list is

long! He is a preacher, art collector and

art educator. He has also been a program

officer at the Ruth Mott Foundation, an

Internal Revenue Service agent, stockbroker

and much more. He has leveraged Library

resources in every career, and we’re pretty

sure he’s not done yet!

The Library actually jump-started

Anthony’s most recent career change. “I

gained appreciation for fine art through

my exposure to Maryanne Mott’s private

Mott-Warsh Collection while working at the

Ruth Mott Foundation,” he says. He and

his wife had started an African American

fine art collection specifically focused on

faith, family and faces. Anthony found out

that the Library was looking for private

collections to display as part of the Martin

Luther King Day and Black History Month

celebrations in 2015. So he made his

family’s collection public.

“That show was the springboard to

my new career,” Anthony notes. “When

I became a pastor, I knew I needed

supplemental income. I loved sharing

our art with the community during the

exhibit. What I did not foresee was the

exposure I would gain and the connections

I would make. Those allowed me to start

selling some of our pieces.” Now he

and his wife, Davida, are “curators with

a twist.” They discover and research art

works online to buy. They resell some, and

share others via a new K-12 arts and culture

program. “While we own them, we can

help others appreciate the unsung heroes

and remarkable talent showcased in art

either by or about African Americans.”

Here’s a timely example. Many people

know about local Heisman winner Mark

Ingram II. But they’ve never heard of Ernest

‘Ernie’ Davis. “He was the first African

American to ever win the Heisman Trophy,

and he was the first pick in the 1962 NFL

draft,” Anthony notes. “Unfortunately,

he died less than a year later of leukemia,

without ever playing a professional game.

We literally tripped over an illustration of

Ernest. We were able to tell his remarkable

story by sharing this art at the Library.”

In addition to buying and selling,

Anthony is now teaching African American

art at several locations in Flint. “The show

at the Library catapulted this from a hobby

to an exciting livelihood,” Anthony says.

“I am a home-town kid who’s come back,

and I’m so glad I can share these treasures

with my children and my community. Who

knows what else my Library experiences

may lead me to discover?”

Find Your Next Career

BestSellers

The Library is a springboard for lifelong learners

[ 2 ]

An unsung hero: football star Ernie Davis

Students are learning art after school with Anthony

It’s always fun to visit the Library in

person. You can say hi to neighbors,

browse the shelves, smile at the kids,

and spend some time catching up on what’s

new. But when you can’t get to the Library,

bring the Library to you with cloud-based

content! Here are some examples of how

patrons use these services.

DOWNLOAD E-BOOKS AND AUDIO BOOKS

What Sally wanted most on this freezing

cold day was to curl up under her fuzzy soft

blanket and lose herself in a novel. But

there was no way she was driving to the

Library! So she grabbed her tablet, opened

Overdrive, and picked a new author from

the mystery collection. As she looked

outside at the blowing and drifting snow,

she thought, “I am SO GLAD I didn’t have

to go out there!”

STREAMING MUSIC DeMarco was deep into his party plans

for Saturday night when he realized he

didn’t have tunes lined up. Can’t have a

party without some great music! DeMarco

grabbed his phone, clicked to the Library’s

Freegal page, and found a new hit single

that was sure to get his party started

right. With a few more clicks, DeMarco

had his play list lined up. It didn’t cost

him a cent!

DIGITAL MAGAZINES

Monique was home with her 6-year-old

son, Dustin as he recovered from a cold.

Monique and Dustin found a comfy spot

on the couch, and she navigated to the

Library’s RB Digital downloads. She found

Dustin’s favorite magazine, “Highlights for

Children,” and downloaded it to her laptop.

They spent the next hour happily reading

the stories, doing the crafts, and enjoying

some quiet time together.

EASY AND FREE: CLOUD CONTENT AVAILABLE 24/7

We love to see your smiling face at the

Library! But when you can’t make it,

or when you need something quickly,

remember that cloud content is available

24/7. All you need is a device (phone,

computer, or tablet) and a Library card.

Don’t let the technology scare you off,

either. Our helpful librarians will help

you learn the basics when you “Book an

Expert” to get your device set up. Call

810.249.2569 to schedule your session

today!

Can’t Get to the Library?

O u r f a v o r i t e s t o r i e s a b o u t y o u r L i b r a r y ’ s i m p a c t

Bring the Library to You Through FPL in the Cloud

Cloud content is available 24/7. All you need is a device (phone, computer, or tablet) and a Library card. We’ll even teach you how to use it!

[ 3 ]

Our donors stepped up and

helped us claim all $50,000 of

matching grant money. We

sincerely thank the Ruth Mott

Foundation for their generosity,

and we are incredibly grateful

to our community for investing

in the Library’s work. Thank

you for your support!

THANK YOU!You Maxed Out the

Ruth Mott Challenge Grant!

1026 E. Kearsley St.Flint, MI 48503

Nowhere is the idea of “passing the torch” more clearly illustrated than in the opening

ceremonies of the Olympics. But did you know that Flint has its very own torch-bearers?

Richard (Dick) and Ann Kraft are one such couple. They have faithfully carried the torch

for the Library…first while they lived in Flint, and now after selling Kraft Engineering and moving

to Chelsea. “The Main Library was built shortly after I came to Flint,” Ann notes. “I took my son

to story hour, had meetings there, attended concerts and took computer classes. Our family

used a lot of their services.”

The Krafts have generously supported the Library for many years. “When the Library

asked, we gave!” Ann says. “We understand that with falling property values, the Library

needs money in addition to the millage. And we believe that the Library is the most stable

educational institution that is free and open to everyone.”

Dick and Ann took their support one step further. “Dick suggested that we introduce the

new owner of Kraft Engineering to the Library,” Ann recalls. “So we joined Michael Pifer on a

tour.” They were all impressed by the STEM activities for kids, the Tech StudiOH! and especially

the 3D printers. Mike grabbed the torch enthusiastically, and is now a Library supporter!

We sincerely thank the Krafts, Mike Pifer of Kraft Engineering, and the countless other people

who are stepping up to invest in the Library as a resource for community development. Keep

spreading the good word!

Passing the Torch

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Flint, MIPermit No. 917

Our mission is to be Flint’s go-to place

to learn for life.

Flint Public Library BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Ms. Linda Pylypiw P r e s i d e n t

Mr. Brian Larkin V i c e P r e s i d e n t

Mrs. Reta Stanley S e c r e t a r y

Mr. James Richardson Tr e a s u r e r

Mr. Moses Bingham

Mr. David McGhee

Mr. Matthew Schlinker

Mrs. Kay Schwartz L i b r a r y D i r e c t o r

810.232 7111 • w w w . f p l . i n f o

Winter 2018. Invite a couple friends and join us for a “Beyond the Books” tour. You, too, will be amazed at what your Library has to offer! Call 810.249.2569 to reserve your spot.