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Ambassador Highlight: Jason Fialkovich
From Storytime to STEAM: How Jason Fialkovich is Transforming Library Programming for the Newest Generation of Makers.
When you walk into Middletown Free Library, it’s not uncommon to find kids designing video games, building with LEGOs, or dancing at a family-friendly silent disco—all thanks to the passion and creativity of Youth Services Director, Jason Fialkovich. For over a decade, Fialkovich has reimagined what a library can be, blending traditional youth services with cutting-edge STEAM experiences that empower young minds to create, collaborate, and grow. Whether he's introducing kids to coding and robotics or encouraging peer-to-peer learning through game design, Fialkovich’s mission is clear: make learning exciting, accessible, and unforgettable.
Middletown Free Library is known best for their wide range and number of free programs for kids and adults in the community. “I handle all the youth programs and run many STEAM programs like 3D Printing, Coding Club, Virtual Reality Arcade, LEGO Stop-Motion Movie-Making, and Family-Friendly Silent Discos in addition to the more traditional ones like story times,” Fialkovich said. “One of my all-time favorite programs to run is Bloxels: Video Game Design.”
On a typical day, Fialkovich runs many programs in and out of the library. “There’s usually anywhere from 2-5 programs that I’m offering each day, so I guess you can say I like to stay busy,” Fialkovich said.
His sole focus in programming comes from the Maker Movement and fostering a growth mindset in his groups. He strives to give others the opportunity to challenge themselves, learning from one another in the process. “If a kid asks me a question, I tend to ask the rest of the group if they know how to do something and to show others how to do it,” Fialkovich said. “It is so empowering for kids to share their knowledge to help others!”
Fialkovich recalls one time in particular while he was running a Bloxels Showcase that an adult patron found fascinating, “Kids went up and shared their games on a big screen TV in the library and talked about their game while playing it. Other kids would chime in and ask questions or give feedback about suggestions for their games,” Fialkovich said. “An adult patron dropped by and was fascinated that kids were practicing public speaking skills and giving/receiving respectful criticism so well.”
When it comes to inspiration, Fialkovich is always taking suggestions from parents and kids, but also interacts with some Makerspace groups on social media outlets like Facebook. There, he gets ideas for new programs and shares what his own library has been up to with other librarians and educators looking for inspiration. “I’ve also started a side gig where other libraries can hire me to run some of my favorite STEAM programs,” Fialkovich said. “On my website I’ve been writing a blog sharing a lot of my ideas and resources so others can run their own programs.”
His Maker Space programs have been in the works since 2013, but it wasn’t until 2021 when his Bloxels program really took off. “I remember our library receiving a Bloxels kit and my previous director maybe offered 1 or 2 programs using it,” Fialkovich said. “I then had it available as a station for kids to try and make their own games —this was before a subscription was needed— Fast-forward to a few years later and the state of Pennsylvania offered STEAM kits to public libraries to use for STEAM programming, and we received a classroom Bloxels set that came with like 50 seats to design games. COVID happened and we tried offering it as a virtual program. It did not become popular until we moved to our new renovated location in 2021 with a dedicated Maker Space and started offering in-person programs again.”
Once the program got its footing, Fialkovich says the Maker Space community took to it immediately. His program works mainly with ages 8+ and with a max group size of 12, an average of 8-12 kids come every week. “I saw how quickly kids picked up on using Bloxels, and it was great seeing how excited they were to share their creations while also helping each other figure out how to use Bloxels,” Fialkovich said. “Not only is it a popular STEAM program we offer at the library, it is also so easy to run!”
There have been numerous winning moments where Fialkovich has seen the impact his program has had on kids interested in video game design, but he shared with us one patron’s story that pulled our heartstrings to hear: “A mother approached me after a Bloxels class to let me know that her father-in-law was nearing the end of his life. Her son, who had been attending our Bloxels class, was very excited and proud to show his grandfather some of the games, characters, and artwork he had been working on in Bloxels. It was a very touching moment for that family at a difficult time, and a precious memory that both the mom and the son will have involving the grandfather.”
When asked to give advice to fellow librarians, program directors and educators looking to start their own Bloxels programs, Fialkovich says: “Do it! Bloxels is so easy to run once you’ve gotten everybody into the classroom and have shown some tutorial videos. Kids pick it up rather quickly and if some don’t, have the ones who did pick it up quickly show the others how to do it. Peer-to-Peer mentorship is huge! Encourage the kids to test each other’s games & characters, or run a showcase so they can practice public speaking.”
