Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums: Case Studies in Collaboration

The Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums program was launched in 2011 by a public-private partnership between the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in response to President Obama's Educate to Innovate initiative. Through two cycles of national competitions, libraries, museums, and other community partners at 24 sites were funded to create innovative teen spaces that followed the principles of the emerging Connected Learning Framework. Learning Labs often involve partnerships and collaborations between libraries and other community organizations as they create new programs in STEM and the arts. The experiences at these sites document a wave of organizational change in libraries associated with new roles as community education partners.