[OPLINLIST] IMLS grant opportunity: Learning Labs in Libraries & Museums

[Janet Ingraham Dwyer]

Please excuse multiple postings.

 

In support of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" call to action,
the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Institute of
Museum & Library Services are working together to support the planning
and design of youth Learning Labs in libraries and museums across the
country. Inspired by an innovative space for young people at the Chicago
Public Library called YOUmedia (http://youmediachicago.org/) and
innovations in science and technology centers, these Labs will help
young people become makers and creators of content, rather than just
consumers of it.

 

The design and construction of YOUmedia, which was supported through the
MacArthur Foundation's digital media and learning initiative, was guided
by research about the role digital media plays in kids' learning today.
The new Learning Labs will be part of a network of libraries and museums
throughout the country that use best practice principles, based on
research and evidence about how young people learn today. The Labs will
be spaces for experimentation for middle- to high-school age youth to
engage with digital and traditional media to promote creativity,
critical thinking, and hands-on, interest-based learning.

 

The Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums grants (up to $100,000) will
support the planning and designing of up to 30 Learning Labs in
libraries and museums throughout the country. The Labs are intended to
engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based,
youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional
media. Grantees will be required to participate, in-person and online,
in a community of practice that will provide technical assistance,
networking, and cross-project learning. Projects are expected to provide
prototypes for the field and be based on current research about digital
media and youth learning. There will be two project deadlines for this
grant program: the first is Aug. 15, 2011, and the second deadline is
planned for spring 2012.  For additional information, visit
http://www.imls.gov/about/macarthur.shtm.  

 

You may also learn more about the Grants for Learning Labs in Libraries
and Museums during one of the upcoming webinars for prospective
applicants. IMLS and partnership program staff will be available to
discuss the purpose of the grants and the grant application process, as
well as answer participants' questions. The webinar schedule is: 

Tuesday, June 28, 3:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, July 12, 3:00 p.m. 

Details are at the link above.

 

Here is a research report about the first year of the YOUmedia project:

http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/downloads/6899youmedia_final_2011.pdf (PDF
document, 13MB)

 

 

Janet Ingraham Dwyer 
Library Consultant 
State Library of Ohio 
jdwyer at library.ohio.gov 

614.644.6910 
http://library.ohio.gov

http://library.ohio.gov/youthservices 

The State Library of Ohio provides services and resources to assist
state government and libraries in providing the best service to all.

 

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