BLACKSTONE — The Blackstone Public Library has received a $2,040 grant from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office to fund five new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programs for students in grades 5 through 12.
According to Blackstone’s Town Administrator Chad Lovett, the funding, awarded through the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office’s Drug Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Program, will support three art workshops and two interactive gaming events aimed at teens and tweens.
Pop Up Art School will lead three hands-on art classes focused on clay sculpting, needle felting and tin art and One Up Games will provide two three-hour open-play gaming and virtual reality programs.
Library Director Lisa Cheever credited Young Adult Librarian Mandi Whipple with securing the grant.
“Mandi continues to be an asset to the library and the patrons she serves,” Cheever said. “We are fortunate that she enthusiastically applies for grants which benefit the teens and tweens of Blackstone.”
Town Administrator Chad Lovett said the funding supports local youth programming.
“We are very grateful whenever we can obtain grant funding to invest in Blackstone’s youth,” Lovett said. “Providing structured, educational and engaging programming helps strengthen our community and offers young people constructive opportunities to learn and connect.”
Whipple said the goal is to expand programming for the library’s young adult patrons.
“As the Young Adult Librarian at the Blackstone Public Library, my goal is to provide our 11- to 17-year-old patrons with a safe and comfortable meeting space as well as a wide range of enriching programs,” Whipple said.
Whipple also thanked the district attorney’s office for the grant, saying the funding will allow the library to continue offering opportunities for young patrons “to learn, grow, and socialize in a fun, welcoming environment.”
