Partnership with Local Libraries Benefit Childcare
Many childcare providers have limited access to developmental early childhood materials. The Innovation Center Childcare Shared Services Hub has partnered with local public libraries to increase childcare provider access to materials. Through grant funding, fifty-five participating libraries received 3 activity kits. Three kits (infants, toddlers, preschoolers) have age-appropriate toys, materials, and guides for developmental activities.
Participating libraries include:
| Atwood Public Library | Belleville Public Library | Burr Oak Community Library |
| Cawker City Public Library | Chapman Public Library | Clay Center Carnegie Library |
| Clifton Public Library | Cloud County Community College Library | Courtland Community Library |
| Delphos Public Library | Downs Carnegie Library | Enterprise Public Library |
| Formoso Public Library | Frank Carlson Library (Concordia) | Glasco City Library |
| Graham County Public Library | Grainfield Public Library | Hanover Public Library |
| Hays Public Library | Herington Public Library | Hillcrest Library |
| J.H. Robbins Memorial Library (Ellsworth) | Jay Johnson Public Library (Quinter) | Jennings City Library |
| Jewell City Library | Kirwin Public Library | Lebanon Community Library |
| Lenora Public Library | Logan Public Library | Long Island Community Library |
| Lucas Public Library | Minneapolis Public Library | Oakley Public Library |
| Oberlin City Library | Osborne Public Library | Palco Public Library |
| Phillipsburg City Library | Pioneer Memorial Library | Rae Hobson Memorial Library (Republican) |
| Randall Public Library | Randolph-Decker Public Library | Russell Public Library |
| Saint Francis Public Library | Salina Public Library | Scandia City Library |
| Selden Public Library | Sharon Springs Public Library | Sheridan County Library |
| Smith Center Public Library | Solomon Public Library | Stockton Public Library |
| Sunshine City Library (Prairie View) | Sylvan Public Library |
“Linking our childcare providers with their local library is a no-brainer. I was so pleased to find that most libraries already have program opportunities for childcare providers. The activity kits are one more way to support childcare providers locally”, said Dana Stanton, Childcare Program Specialist at the Innovation Center.
About Us
The Innovation Center provides economic and entrepreneurial assistance to businesses in rural Northwest Kansas. The private operating foundation serves 26 counties in the region with a variety of programs. By working with existing businesses or entrepreneurs throughout the coverage area with targeted programs, Innovation Center strives to reverse the outflow of people and businesses from Northwest Kansas. Through its current and future initiatives that extend resources to these businesses and entrepreneurs, Innovation Center hopes to increase population and to foster economic innovation in Northwest Kansas.
For more information about the Innovation Center and their services, visit nwkeici.org.
