I’m a nerd. I love libraries. And while they may not change the world in the same way as AIDs research and clean water availability, I think they are an extremely important part of a community, especially for its youth.
Learning Labs Project
In 2012 the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the MacArthur Foundation awarded 30 US public libraries and museums grant money to build Learning Labs for teens. The majority of the awarded labs are still far from complete, but a number of innovative spaces have been popping up around the country. These spaces were to be designed after The Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago. The library center has set up an Innovation lab where they teach workshops on 3D printing, laser cutting etc. check out their blog here.
The Labs @ CLP
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh was one of the libraries awarded grant money and has been building a robust lab space for teens where they can work on their own projects with support from artist and designer mentors or take part in workshops that focus on a wide variety of subjects from filmmaking to programing and physical computing. The lab gives students a place to hang out and explore their own interests away from home and school, both locations where teens are required to spend time.
Many of the workshops that The Labs @ CLP host are in partnership with community institutions like the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, HackPittsburgh.org, the list goes on and on. These partnerships provide great community outreach, making teens more aware of the resources in the city, and expose teens to adults and mentors with a variety of skill sets, perspectives, and career paths.
I think spaces like this are integral to creating a culture of innovation and preparing students for 21st century lives and careers. They get students into a safe and productive environment after school and teach fun, interesting, and hugely relevant skills that teens are often unlikely to learn in a traditional classroom. I am excited to see the other projects that come of the Learning Labs Project.
— Molly Johnson, IxD
Design and Policy 