Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums

Posted by on June 27, 2011

IMLS Releases Grant Guidelines for Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announces the availability of application guidelines for the Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums project, funded jointly by IMLS and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This funding initiative is part of President Obama’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign, a nationwide effort to bring American students to the forefront in science and math, to provide the workers of tomorrow with the skills they need today, and to re-envision learning in the 21st Century.

The program, in partnership with the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), will support the planning and design of up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums, based on current research on how young people learn through new media, and building a community of practice around digital learning for youth in out-of-school time settings that are based on current research on how young people learn through new media. The program will also build a community of practice among the grantee institutions.

America’s libraries and museums will become even more powerful innovation hubs for our young people, said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. This exciting national collaboration will engage young people in learning that is interest-based, youth-centered, flexible, and collaborative using innovations already taking place in science and technology centers, art museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions.

This partnership underscores the critical role the nation’s libraries and museums play in helping citizens build and develop skills in areas such as information, communications and technology literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, civic literacy, and global awareness.

The program announcement is available on the IMLS Web site at http://www.imls.gov/about/macarthur.shtm and through http://www.grants.gov/, Funding Opportunity Number LLP-FY11.

Proposals must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov/ no later than August 15, 2011. Awards will be announced in November 2011.