When the Montgomery City Public Library introduced its Creation Station Makerspace and Library of Things earlier this year, they immediately became popular with the patrons.

Now, the library will be adding new items thanks to a technology mini-grant it recently received from the Missouri State Library. MCPL was awarded a $12,477 grant that will help purchase more items for the Creation Station, the Library of Things and other library services.

“Our library is very fortunate to receive this grant,” MCPL Director Gaylee Harris said. “It will enable MCPL to offer many items and opportunities for people in Montgomery City and County to try new things, be creative and connect with others. I hope everyone will stop by the library and check out the new additions.”

The new additions include another Cricut Maker 3 machine, a Cricut mug press, laminator, digital telescope, digital microscope, GoPro camera and metal detector. Harris said the items were high in demand from patrons thanks to surveys and conversations.

“They were interested in the telescope, microscope, metal detector and the GoPro Camera,” the second-year director said. “We were able to get those with the grant money. I hope once they’re processed, I hope they will be checked out a lot and will be taken care of, too.”

Harris said the library received the new items within two weeks after they were ordered.

“It was a very quick turnaround, which is very surprising,” she said. “They’re being processed right now. We’re hoping by the New Year that they’ll be out for public checkout.”

Also, new computers and robotics equipment have been purchased. The library bought seven new Dell desktop computers and several of them have replaced the current ones that are used by patrons. A new After-School Edge AWE computer that is designed for elementary school children was added in the children’s department. There will be a total of 15 new robots in robotics classes, which are held on the first Saturday of each month.

Harris, along with library board members Pat Garrett and Jim Guffie, wrote the mini grant in September. It was called “Continuing the Momentum at MCPL.” In the letter, the library stressed that it wanted to update its technology and robotics equipment and requested a $15,900 grant.

After receiving the grant on Oct. 31, the library got a local match for all of the patron computers, the AWE computer, the Cricut Maker 3 and mug press, telescope, microscope and the metal detector, equalling $3,061.93.

“Our library is more than just books,” Harris said.

Last year, the library received a mini tech grant of $15,000 to add some new items for its Creation Station such as the Cricut cutting machines, a heat press, a virtual reality system, a digital camera, a design computer, a Promethean smart board and a photo scanner. The Library of Things includes a portable photo scanner, a portable projector and screen, giant family games, STEAM kits for children and fishing poles.

Harris said the Cricut and sewing machines and the VR systems are the most popular items at the library. A total of 34 patrons have checked out STEAM kits since August.