BURRILLVILLE – The Children’s Department at Jesse Smith Memorial Library now has four new learning stations, offering young visitors the chance for play and learning through educational software.
The stations – supplied by AWE Learning – were purchased through the town’s Learn365RI Grant, a state funding program focused on advancing learning beyond the 180-day school year. Burrillville received a $40,000 standard grant this year, in addition to the expanded grant of $286,990 approved in 2023.
The funding aims to support the launch or expansion of extended learning programing in communities across Rhode Island.
“From reducing chronic absenteeism to increasing reading and math proficiency, Learn365RI programs are a critical part of our commitment to ensuring that all students have access to quality learning experiences year-round,” noted Gov. Dan McKee in a release on the initiative.
The library project was one of several included in the expanded 2023 grant, with funding dedicated to a number of STEM-related programs, tutoring, and academic support across the community through partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern RI, the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition, Burrillville Extended Care and Burrillville Public Schools.
The stations were provided by AWE Learning, a business that has helped public libraries with skill-building technology for young learners since it was first founded in Philadelphia, Pa. in the mid-1990s. The mission of AWE is to inspire an enthusiasm for learning by supporting school readiness and literacy in the community through interactive, educational, and safe digital education.
At Jesse Smith, each station includes an all-in-one touchscreen computer, kid-friendly keyboard and child size mouse, including two AWE Early Literacy Stations and two AWE After School Edge Stations. The stations feature more than 250 STREAM-aligned award-winning educational software titles.
For more information about the AWE Learning Stations, visit the Children’s Department at the library at 100 Tinkham Lane or call (401) 710-7800.