Hello! I’m Alison Mitchell, children’s librarian at the West Branch Library in Somerville, MA (outside Boston, one city over from the PLIX HQ at MIT). Our system has 3 libraries and we are the middle in size. I have 3 awesome book clubs (ages 6-8, 9-11, and 11+) and they are perfect testers for any activity.
3 Likes
Hi, my name is Julia, and I’m the library assistant at the Macedon Public Library in Macedon, NY (western NY, part of the OWWL library system). I learned about the opportunity to participate in PLIX in an email and instantly signed up. I have done a lot of work with our youth at the library, including mentoring a Girls Who Code club, running afterschool activities, teen groups, etc. I also have a background in homeschooling - my own child as well as working with other homeschoolers. I am absolutely in the camp of providing interesting environments and asking a lot of questions - then join in learning alongside them. This goes for all ages! I am looking forward to learning more.
2 Likes
Hi Julia! Welcome to PLIX. It is absolutely true that all ages can benefit from diverse and interesting learning environments. No matter the age, we never stop learning and a great way to do that is by asking questions!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions/concerns.
1 Like
Hi @amitchell!
We stopped over at the Cambridge Public Library last week and it was awesome. I’m sure your library is just as great! 
I like the idea of your 3 book clubs. While the ages are pretty close together, their interests and needs can definitely vary greatly. It sure does help to have a good audience to practice activities with!
1 Like
Hello Everyone! I’m Hope Decker, I am the Director of the Wayland Free Library in upstate NY.
I love the PLIX approach to learning and creating, I love the way that STEM activities nudge people towards problem-solving and risk-taking. I would love to see people grow in their creative confidence and critical thinking. My dream and passion for libraries are that they foster the well-being of humans and as a result, create flourishing communities. I think one pathway to well-being is creative discovery.
Something I created recently was a safe environment to dialogue about racism and the immigrant experience. Although it wasn’t something I used my hands to create, I did lean into the creative learning facilitation principles.
1 Like
FYI: Here is a webinar Allie Affinito and I did to introduce PLIX resources to NY state librarians Oceans of STEAM Resources Facilitating Creative Learning Programs with the PLIX MIT Media Lab
2 Likes
Hello! My name is Molly Larson. I work in the International Falls Public Library in International Falls, MN. I am a youth library associate and work with youth programming. I stumbled upon PLIX while searching for STEAM programming ideas for kids. In my local library, I have been creating STEAM challenges and activities for children ages 5-10 to do at home. Each week they receive a bag with an activity and families take it home and complete it. I have my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Studies, so I try and incorporate my knowledge of that into each activity I plan. I’m excited to complete this PLIX course, so I can better serve my community and learn better ways to expand childs’ interest in STEAM.
4 Likes
Molly your background is a great fit for working in a public library! I’ll be curious about how you integrate the facilitator principles into your STEAM challenges.
Hello,
My name is Matthew. I am a Teen Services Librarian in Phoenix, AZ. I have a lot of eager teens who volunteer and I am looking for some great programming ideas. My co-worker participated in the Spatial Poetry workshop and would love to pursue something like that.
Recently, my teens created Dungeons & Dragons characters, using rolls of the dice. This has been a great example of me being the “guide on the side”.
2 Likes
Welcome Matthew @mdieckman ! 
I love that you’re reflecting on your facilitation techniques in your current programming!
If you’re interested, we could run another Spatial Poetry workshop in the coming year. LMK!
1 Like
Hey PLIX community, check it out, Harvard is now teaching a college level intro course to Scratch coding!
1 Like
Hi! My Name is Desiree. I work at the El Paso Public Library in El Paso, TX. I work at a neighborhood library that has been in operation for 2 years. I also stumbled upon the PLIX website looking for ideas for future programs in the summer. I signed up for the Winter Kit which is filled with awesome goodies. I am going to do the paper circuits program soon and am eager to see how the patrons take to the program.
1 Like
Welcome @dez ! Glad to have you here with us. A 2-year-old library is so recent! Is it newly built or renovated to serve a new community?
For more paper circuit ideas, check out what other librarians have done over at the 
Paper Circuits forum threads. Plus, if you come up with 
new ideas 
of your own, we would love to have you share your ideas with us too!
Aloha! My name is Victoria and I am a Children’s Librarian with the Hawaii State Public Library System. I heard about PLIX through a colleague and found myself going down the rabbit hole on the activities page. In the past we did brown bag STEM challenges, and more recently we did STEAM story times with our community. I love seeing everyone come together, get excited and shine through each challenge. Looking forward to facilitating new challenges with the Winter Kit and being part of this community!
It’s newly built Library/ Recreation Center. 
Thanks for point to the Paper Circuits thread. I will check it out!
1 Like
Hullo! My name is Cally. I live and work in Oregon as a Library Assistant in the Children’s Library. Today for Toddler Storytime, I blew up the sun! (It’s a giant beach ball and I inflated it). I was using it to teach a bunch of toddlers how to share. They promptly tried to eat it.
I’m excited to participate with this PLIX course! I love science and I want to know better how to transfer my love of science to children.
In October, the kids made paper bats that flap!
3 Likes
@victoria Aloha Victoria! (Is your colleague Michelle Young? )
It’s great to have you here with us, and we look forward to learning more about the STEM challenges you create!
@CallyMeldrum Welcome Cally! 
Blowing up the sun sounds so nefarious, but I’m glad to see you’re doing it for a good cause.
Love the bat—I’m gonna try it out!
Hello! My name is Vivian Garcia and I am an undergraduate student intern at the Media Lab’s PLIX program. I was motivated to join this community because growing up, I really enjoyed going to libraries and roaming the aisles to find books with colorful covers and intricate designs. I also appreciated that it was a quiet space where I could get my work done while being surrounded by fun visuals and activities.
Now, as an aspiring scientist and creative, I think PLIX’s integration of STEAM and creativity is so important for new generations. PLIX’s commitment to allowing learners to be designers and creators instead of consumers and recipients is so crucial in our current society where it is easy to constantly feel like a spectator. Additionally, I love that we are bridging the gap between science and creativity and showing the great results we can achieve when we encourage learners to merge these roles.
Overall, I am incredibly proud to be part of this team and to work with the many dedicated individuals that make PLIX possible!
5 Likes
Hello!! My name is Emmi, and I will be working with the PLIX team at the MIT Media Lab this Spring. I am a junior at MIT studying Brain and Cognitive Sciences (Course 9) and Spanish, with interests in public health, educational equity, and all things art (Fun fact: I dreamed of being a Pixar Animator when I was a kid!).
I am incredibly excited to join this passionate, inspiring, and creative PLIX community! 
4 Likes