Hi everyone! My name is Sarah and I am the Makerspace Librarian at the Bellevue Library in the King County Library System.
I joined this community because one of my makerspace colleagues shared a PLIX newsletter with me and, after exploring the site, I realized how much value this space has to offer! I LOVE how the activities and kits include creativity and arts and crafts (including zines!) as part of their approach to STE(A)M education. My library system is exploring a new, collaborative approach to programming and I am excited to incorporate some of the ideas I find here in my future STEAM programs. I am also excited to have a space for public library folks to discuss and explore innovation. I was previously a member of the Innovation Team at The Seattle Public Library and have done a lot of work in that area.
I have so many dreams for the future of libraries. I would like to see libraries evolve their organizational structures to empower staff at all levels to innovate and collaborate. In my experience, many libraries are stuck in outdated, hierarchical structures that contribute to low morale and burnout among front-line staff. I would like to see libraries become more engaged with their communities and bring their communities into the planning process for programs, services, and spaces. I would like public libraries in particular to rediscover their capacity to support (trans)literacy development and lifelong learning.
My favorite breakfast foods are coffee, waffles, and smoothies!
My name is Brian and Iām a MakerSpace Facilitator at the Johnson County Library MakerSpace in Overland Park, KS.
Iāve been motivated to join after participating in my first community chat and hearing about a bunch of inspiring, creative ideas shared and being told they are being shared on this here forum!
As someone who has worked as a āregularā library staff for years and now makerspace staff I want to see a library where there isnāt a distinction and all staff are encourage to use and share their creativity (weāre working on it). Also I think at the present libraries are mostly great and when run by public servants that truly listen to their community they will continue to be great.
Iām also a backyard chicken guy -donāt tell the chickens but Iām kinda tired of eggs- so my favorite breakfast is a simple scone and a cup of coffee.
Iām Heather Sparks, and I am the Out-of-School Time Program Manager for the Free Library of Philadelphia. Primarily, I oversee all aspects of our flagship OST program, LEAP (Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program): hiring, training, content development, coaching, budgeting, planning, and so on. Our program can be found in every one of our libraries throughout the city of Philadelphia. I work out of our main location, Parkway Central, in Center City Philadelphia.
Iāve put off joining the PLIX community on this level for far too long given the amount of time Iāve worked with PLIX. Honestly, the greatest motivator right now was the survey/application for an upcoming workshop. Iām hoping to keep up with what everyone is doing and will make the effort to be more engaged.
My dream for the future of libraries is definitely inspired by the work that Iāve done for the last 7 years - I want the library of the future to be embraced and even low-key powered by teens and new adults. This age group has long been overlooked by library administration, partly due to biases against or about teens and partly due to the sheer demand for school-age and younger programming. We do a lot for our pre-k and school age set, and then again a lot of adults and topical book clubs, but we skip the teens and this is a population that really is vital to creating a more inclusive library space, at least for Philadelphia. We have teens working for us who are poised to take on big issues and arenāt afraid to stand up for what they believe is right. By leaving them out of the library loop, we risk alienating an entire generation of users. My future library includes teens in decision making and planning around library services.
My favorite breakfast food is a tie between a campfire scramble with eggs, peppers, onions, cheese, maybe sausage or hamā¦ OR a big olā omelette platter from a Jersey diner. Mmmmm, diner coffee.
Hi everyone
Connie Weber from Richmond Public Library in Richmond KS
We are a very small library in a very small town [less than 500 people]
My dream it to put an addition on our small library.
breakfast food does cappuccino count?
Hi, Iām Rachel Donegan. I am the Emerging Technologies Librarian at the Howe Library in Hanover, NH. I (used to) manage a community makerspace that is located in our local high school AND a small digital media space in our library. Now itās just the Studio and we are closed to the public. Oh, well. Things will get better!
My hope for the future of libraries is more making, more open access to technology, more community involvement with making, and a Fix It Cafe, and a lending library of tools. SO MANY DREAMS!
I am motivated to join this community to get help, offer help when I can, and collaborate with people who have been doing this much longer than I have. I hope to connect with libraries around the same size as mine.
My favorite breakfast food is crepes with strawberry jam. And a huge mug of coffee.
Hi, Iām Pam Brockway and I am the Early Learning Team Leader for The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (Ohio).
Iām joining this community to learn new strategies to bring STEAM programming to our library. And I look forward to learning and sharing with other members.
My dream for our library is that it become even more of a family destination- that we are able to offer services and opportunities for families to enjoy and learn from together. Weāve been successful engaging families with STEAM and are always looking for not only new programming ideas, but ways to reach underserved community members as well.
Coffee first, then Iād rather wait for lunch, unless thereās a fresh muffin
Weād love to get to know you a bit more ā here are some things you could share:
What library do you work at?
What motivated you to join this community?
What is a dream you have for the future of libraries?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
Hello everyone,
I work at the New York Public Library as a Childrenās Librarian.
Looking forward to the activities, resources and learning from my peers so that I can better serve the public.
My dream for libraries is to not only take care of our patrons but to make sure that library staff, especially working parents have the option to work from home to off set the cost of child care.
My favorite breakfast is french toast with eggs and bacon.
I work for Hennepin County Library (MN) as a teen and adult services librarian.
I learned about PLIX a couple of years ago when I was looking for ideas to engage teens gathering in our library branch after school. We tried out Chibitronics to make paper circuits with great success!
My dream for the future of libraries would be to offer a safe place for people to gather post-pandemic. I really miss those in-person interactions, but Iām grateful for new ideas to engage virtually with program participants.
Hot buttered toast with tea or coffee gets my day off to a good start!
Weād love to get to know you a bit more ā here are some things you could share:
What library do you work at?
What motivated you to join this community?
What is a dream you have for the future of libraries?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
Hello everyone,
I am the Adult and Childrenās Programmer at Tonganoxie Public Library in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
I am an idea junkie especially when it comes to educational programs that promote hands-on, explorative, discovery learning. I love building off of the successful ideas of others.
Waffles and bacon are my comfort breakfast with coffee, of course.
Hello everyone!
I am new to this discussion forum but I would love to introduce myself!
My name is Azra and I am a Customer Service Specialist at Queens Public Library!
What motivated me to join this PLIX community was to implement and integrate more technology- STEM based programming for the community in which I work. I hope to become a childrenās librarian in the future so itās important for me to be as involved as I can.
A dream I have for the future of libraries is to have strong partnerships with non-profit organizations where they team up for the betterment of their communities!
My favorite breakfast food is usually anything savory! Scrambled eggs on avocado toast, here I come!!
Hi, Iām Jonathan. I work at Michigan City Public Library with @Dave in the Youth Services department. He motivated me to join this forum because Iām always interested in meeting new librarians who are interested in driving creativity within the library community. I would love to see libraries become a hub of communication, learning, and innovation in the future. Breakfast for me is usually a clif bar, but if I have my choice I love a good omelet.
My name is Saffana and Iām a Librarian at the Cambridge Public Library - Central Square Branch.
What motivated me to join this community was to bounce off ideas and learn what more we can offer to our community regardless of demographics, socio-economic status, etc. And Iām totally fascinated with anything tech related and a big time hoarder of all sorts of chargers/plugs. WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THEM?!
My dream for the future of the libraries, like many our colleagues have mentioned on this forum, is to supplement the needs of our communities.
My favorite breakfast is anything with avocado and sriracha. And iced chai.
Hello, Iām Raegan , and I am the programming and outreach librarian at the Cherokee Public Library in Cherokee, IA! Iām newer to my position, and also newer to PLIX, but after attending CubeSats I was very excited to learn more about PLIX! I love implementing science programming and want to learn more.
I dream of everyone going to the library. I didnāt discover the magic of public libraries until college and I felt like I was missing out! I want libraries to be a place for everyone in the community.
My favorite breakfast foodā¦thatās a difficult one but I believe you can never go wrong with a breakfast sandwich. The flavor combinations are endless!
My name is Emily and Iām not a librarian, but a junior at MIT working on an undergrad research project with PLIX! Iāve loved libraries my whole life. My first was the Palo Alto Childrenās Library, where as a child I spent many hours reading and attending events (I won a tropical themed limbo contest there). I moved to Princeton NJ soon after, and joined the Princeton Public Libraryās teen advisory board, where we got to plan our own events for other teens and the community as a whole! Iām excited to work with PLIX because now I can take my scientific training and use it to make fun educational kits for kids to use, and work with so many cool amazing fabulous libraries and librarians
My dream for libraries is for them to emerge from COVID victorious, all across the country+world, so families can once again go to all the fun events they have. I also love seeing multicultural events at libraries
My favorite breakfast food is waffle+strawberry+whipped cream!
My name is Emily, and Iām a Youth Services Librarian at the Cambridge Public Library in MA. I split my time working in the Childrenās Room and the Teen Room so I get the best of both worlds!
Because of my libraryās close proximity to MIT, in the past Iāve been fortunate to attend a few of the Lifelong Kindergarten workshops hosted by the MIT Media Lab and have the opportunity to collaborate with the MIT Scratch team on a program for my middle school makerspace book club. I would love to continue this inspiring exchange of ideas in this online community.
One of my biggest dreams for the future of libraries is that weāre able to use our experiences during this pandemic to reimagine library services beyond our physical locations to prioritize equity by broadening our outreach efforts and bringing services and materials to patrons in our communities who have historically been left out.
Breakfast is maybe my favorite meal of the day, so itās tricky to pick a favorite. Itās probably a tie between homemade buttermilk chocolate chip-walnut pancakes and challah French toast. Both with a side of bacon!
Hello everyone! My name is Phyllis Davis and I am the Youth Services Manager at the Library Station branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. I have been providing STEAM programming for kids from toddlers to teens and their families for more than 25 years. The PLIX community seems like a perfect fit for me. I feel like I have found my people! I am very interested in co-discovering and collaborating and dream that people of all ages will pursue life-long learning through their public library! My favorite breakfast food is cold pizza.
I am a Senior Librarian at the Cambridge Public Library (the Main Library).
I joined this community so that I can combine forces with my colleagues to make The Hive (our new STEAM learning space) a place for inspiration and learning for all members of our community.
I dream that libraries will be THE launch pads for folks young and old to pursue their professional and recreational goals.
I eat oatmeal for breakfast every morning and never tire of it.
Hello, my name is Magda Underdown-DuBois. I work at the Bordeaux Branch of the Nashville Public Library in Tennessee.
I joined the community, when I was applying for the upcoming STEAM weekend in November. Tbh, I had no idea you existed. We do STEAM programming with our teens and I always interested in learning more!
Speaking of teens, I would love to see Teen Spaces or at least teen programming featured in all libraries. After all, our patrons donāt skip from 10 years old to adulthood IRL, so we can keep them going as lifelong learners, if we make a space for them.
Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. Almost anything breakfasty is my favourite food. If I have to narrow it down though, I love Alton Brownās simple pancake recipe, especially with blueberries and pecans + MorningStar fausage patties on the side + sliced apples. Yum!
Nice to meet you all.
Hello! Iām Tara Thomas and I am a Childrenās Librarian at the DC Public Library.
What library do you work at? DC Public Library - Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Central Library
What motivated you to join this community? I create weekly STEAM programs for children of all ages including toddlers. As someone who encourages a love and curiosity of STEAM, PLIX seems like a creative and supportive environment.
What is a dream you have for the future of libraries? The cost of STEAM program supplies (meaning: supplies for every child) included in library operational budgets.
What is your favorite breakfast food? Weekdays: Cottage cheese and granola. Sunday breakfast treat: A lovely breakfast brunch. French toast, Belgian waffles, chocolate chip pancakes, egg & avocado bowl, a Danish pastry or a fruit scone. The possibilities are endless.
Iām Molly, Iām the Head of Childrenās Services at the Southington Public Library, Southington, CT USA. I joined this community as a way to interact and get some ideas for more STEAM focused childrenās programming in a group-learning way. I am participating in the workshop happening a couple weeks, so I am really excited to see what I can adapt for my kids a the library.
A dream I have for the future of libraries - so much. I donāt think I can narrow that one down. But if pressed, Iād like to get rid of āgradedā reading labels on kids books. Just let them read!
My favorite breakfast food is sausage gravy and soft-poached eggs over homemade biscuits!
