FARMINGTON – The Farmington Public Library has been selected to receive a grant from NASA.

It is one of 60 libraries selected to be a NASA@ My Library partner, according to a news release issued by the library.

“Through NASA@ My Library, the library will receive resources, training and support to increase and enhance STEM learning opportunities for library patrons,” the release said.

To increase STEM learning opportunities, the library will receive resources, training and support from NASA@ My Library.

The organizations directly responsible for announcing the grant were the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (SSI/NCIL), the American Library Association, the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Education Development Center.

“NCIL is a national leader in developing STEM activities and exhibitions for public libraries and their collaborators, as well as digital games and apps,” the release said.

The NCIL and SSI work to expand the “understanding and participation of families, youth, educators and citizens in science and technology through learning research and innovative programs,” the release said.

The selection was a competitive process, but thanks to partnerships with entities like the San Juan Planetarium, The library was selected.

The school will host NASA events and programming “that will incorporate our local culture and solstice celebrations.”

“Many of our local traditions are centered on the sky and the stars,” said David Florez, Teen Zone coordinator for the library. “This is a great opportunity to learn about the science behind many of these cultural aspects.”

For more information about the NCIL, visit http://ncil.spacescience.org.

mmitchell@durangoherald.com