St. Helens Public Library Welcomes New Youth and Makerspace Librarian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2024

St. Helens, Ore. - The St. Helens Public Library is pleased to welcome Jana Wiersma as its new Youth and Makerspace Librarian. Wiersma is stepping into a new position that was created to provide continued youth library services while increasing access and programming to the Library's Makerspace.

Wiersma earned a Master's in Library Science from the University of North Texas where she specialized in children's librarianship. She also holds a graduate certificate in Youth Services. Jana brings five years of library programming experience for all ages to her new role in St. Helens. Over the past six years, she has worked in public libraries in northern Nevada and California, with three years spent working with a grant-funded community makerspace.

Wiersma is especially passionate about early literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) programming for youth.

"I am excited to get to know everyone and look forward to sharing my enthusiasm with the community," said Wiersma.

In her free time, Wiersma can most often be found listening to an audio book, learning a new hobby, hiking with her Bernese mountain dogs, or swinging in a hammock. She currently raises a menagerie of farm animals with her husband, and they dream of having a small hobby farm. They currently have cows, goats, dogs, and a cat and are looking forward to taking advantage of the many hiking trails that can be found in the Pacific Northwest.

With summer coming to an end, one of Wiersma's first duties as youth librarian will be to oversee the return of regular storytime programming for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Wiersma will also work to deepen early literacy collaboration in the community's preschools and schools as she begins to establish more robust youth programming for the St. Helens Public Library.

The other part of Wiersma's duties will focus on reactivating the St. Helens Public Library Makerspace. The Makerspace offers the community free access to innovative technology, equipment, and software that supports creative pursuits in an environment that emphasizes experimenting and learning. Wiersma will initially familiarize herself with the equipment available in the Makerspace, which includes a Glowforge Basic, 3D printer, Cricut Maker digital cutter, heat press, a sewing machine with embroidery attachment, computers and tablets with Adobe Creative Cloud software, DeWalt and Kobalt tool sets, numerous hand tools, and a range of other equipment such as a bike repair kit, equipment for podcasting, stop-motion animation supplies, microscopes, and button makers. The next goal will be to provide regular open hours for the community to use the Makerspace combined with programming designed to guide attendees through the making process.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jana to the Library," said Library Director Suzanne Bishop. "Her skills and experience make her uniquely qualified for the position. She is deeply committed to public service, and it will be wonderful to see her settle in and connect with our community - families and adults alike."

Watch the Library's event calendar at www.sthelensoregon.gov/librarywhere upcoming youth and makerspace programming will be announced. You can also follow the Library on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StHelensPublicLibrary.

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For further information regarding the new St. Helens Public Library Youth and Makerspace Librarian, please contact Library Director Suzanne Bishop at [email protected].

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