Now in its second year, our Library Innovation Lab (LIL) program supports responsive and relevant public humanities programming in California’s public libraries by providing a practice-based professional development experience for library programming specialists. Cash awards to the participating libraries support innovative programming that will engage immigrant populations and offer welcoming and inclusive experiences for all community members.
This year’s cohort of 12 library “innovators” met in Los Angeles in early May to kick off the project with a two-day learning session that included hands-on activities, a tour of Los Angeles Public Library’s Visualizing Language mural installation, group discussions, and presentations. With support from one another, as well as experienced library mentors who participated in last year’s program, each is now embarking on a process to research, design, implement and assess a small scale, short-term public humanities project at their library before the end of the year.
Click here to learn more about the program, and about the exciting work done by last year’s participants.