The Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded the NLC an additional year of funding for
the Library Innovation Studios project.
All Nebraska accredited public libraries are invited to apply to be a host library by the
February 3, 2020 final application deadline.
The Nebraska Library Commission along with partners University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension,
and Regional Library Systems, are excited about the Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project, which was
awarded a National Leadership Grant of $715,732 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project began
July 1, 2017 and will conclude June 30, 2021.
The project uses Library Innovation Studios (Makerspaces) hosted by public libraries to support community engagement
and participatory learning experiences by providing access to technological and innovative learning tools not readily
accessible locally. This strengthening of the maker culture in Nebraska communities is expected to stimulate creativity,
innovation, and the exchange of ideas to facilitate entrepreneurship, skills development, and local economic development.
- Establish local Community Action Teams in forty rural and small communities;
- Purchase equipment and related materials for four rotating Innovation Studios that will be hosted by libraries for approximately 20 weeks each;
- Develop instructional materials and user equipment certification processes;
- Employ sustainability strategies for permanent studios;
- Provide training on the use of the equipment, focusing on Train-the-Trainer strategies;
- Assist with local marketing efforts and programming/events, including open houses and maker showcases; and
- Host annual makers’ showcases in Lincoln or Grand Island.
- Rural community residents will be empowered with the tools and guidance to explore, collaborate, create, learn, and invent;
- Libraries will transform their rural communities through participatory learning spaces, while establishing themselves as strong community catalysts for community change; and
- Libraries (and communities) nationwide will have access to a replicable model.
JoAnn McManus,
Library Innovation Studios Project Manager, Nebraska Library Commission, 1200 N
Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023, 402-471-4870, 800-307-2665
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [grant #LG-95-17-0046-17].