ASIS&T Annual Meeting 2018 765 Visual Presentations Building a Future Through STEM Learning for Children in Underserved Communities Dr. Kathleen Campana Kent State University, USA. kcampan2@kent.edu J. Elizabeth Mills University of Washington, USA. jemills1@uw.edu Dr. Michelle H. Martin University of Washington, USA. mhmarti@uw.edu ABSTRACT Public libraries offer a variety of STEM learning opportunities for children and youth to allow them to experience emerging technologies in a hands-on, play-based manner. Opportunities like these are important for all children as research has identified the importance of STEM learning in informal learning environments (Bell, Lewenstein, Shouse & Feder, 2009). However, a variety of barriers may prevent many children in underserved communities from taking advantage of the STEM opportunities that public libraries offer. Because of this, some libraries are taking their programs and services out to community locations to reach these children. This poster highlights findings from Project LOCAL, an IMLS-funded planning grant, around STEM learning opportunities offered by libraries out in community locations for children in underserved communities. KEYWORDS STEM learning, technology, outreach, children and youth, libraries INTRODUCTION Over the past several years, our society has begun to recognize the importance of STEM learning for children and youth. In addition, many have realized that the responsibility for STEM learning cannot solely be placed on the school systems. Children need to be exposed to STEM learning in a variety of environments (NSTA, 2012). One of the benefits of STEM learning in informal learning environments is the capability to provide hands-on experiences with a variety of STEM concepts and tech- nologies in a fun, play-based manner (Bell et al., 2009). Informal learning environments allow children to experiment with concepts and try out new skills without the pressure of formal academic standards. STEM learning in informal learning envi- ronments is also important because it can provide opportunities for children in underserved communities to experience STEM concepts and technologies that they might not have access to otherwise (Migus, n.d.). Public libraries are often considered an important informal learning environment for children and their families. They can offer a variety of free STEM learning opportunities for children (Center for Interactive Learning, 2016), but many children from underserved communities may not be able to take advantage of these opportunities because of a variety of barriers. To try and overcome these barriers, some libraries are offering programs out in community locations to reach and serve children in under- served communities (Campana, Mills, & Martin, 2018). Project LOCAL (Library Outreach as a Community Anchor in Learn- ing), an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Planning Grant, endeavored to understand on a broader scale how libraries are reaching and serving children and families in underserved communities by offering programs and ser- vices out in the community. THE STUDY The goal of Project LOCAL was to understand how libraries are going outside of their walls and into community locations to offer programs and services to children and families in underserved communities, who do not come into the library. To under- stand this, the study used a tripartite methodology, consisting of focus groups, virtual interviews, and a national survey. The research was guided by three research questions: Research Question 1 (RQ1): How, if at all, are libraries working to understand the needs of children and families in underserved communities who do not come into and utilize the library? Research Question 2 (RQ2): What are libraries offering in terms of programs and services that take place outside of library walls to reach children and families in underserved communities who do not come into and utilize the library? Research Question 3 (RQ3): What do libraries perceive as challenges or obstacles to developing and delivering programs/ser- vices outside of library walls for children and families in underserved communities who do not come into and utilize the library?