Engage your diverse library audiences through STEAM learning with PLIX and MIT!
The MIT Public Library Innovation Exchange (PLIX) invites public library professionals to apply for our 2026-2027 Library Ambassador Program.
From October 2026 through May 2027, join a cohort of 12 like-minded library professionals to try PLIX activities, learn about creative learning pedagogy, and strengthen your local library community through STEAM learning experiences.
You are…
- a library professional in a public library setting in the United States
- passionate about bringing more high quality STEAM programming to your library community
- interested in connecting and growing together with like-minded peers
We are…
- a team of MIT educators and researchers passionate about STEAM education
- deeply committed to supporting diverse community bonds
- thoughtful facilitators of creative learning experiences and lifelong learning
Together we will…
- co-create a cozy cohort of library professionals excited to share creative STEAM learning with our local communities, library systems, and the larger library community
- share ideas and practices for strengthening local community connections through experiences with different library audiences
- play test new PLIX activities with MIT researchers
- foster ways to share our experiences and narratives with a global audience
Important dates
- Infosession: Thu September 10th, 2026, 1-2PM ET
- Deadline:Â Mon September 21st, 2026, 11:59PM ET
- Notification Date:Â Mon September 28th, 2026
- Acceptance Deadline:Â Wed September 30th, 2026
Infosession Thu Sept 10th
Learn more about the program and have your questions answered! Annotated slides will be posted on this page after the infosession.
1:00–2:00PM ET
12pm CT / 11am MT / 10am PT / 7am HT / 19h CET
“PLIX has been and continues to be an incredible experience.
From the focused deep dives into projects, to reflecting on our ideas in unique ways, to the random rabbit holes that emerge from bringing together a cohort with a variety of passions, I have discovered countless new ideas and shared them with my community—ideas I might never have been exposed to otherwise.“
— Mike Juell, Kodiak Public Library, AK
Ambassador Expectations
- 💻 Join us for monthly Ambassador meetings.
- đź“ťTry out at least 1 PLIX activity in your library and document the experience.
- ✂️ Playtest a new activity!
- đź’—Â Share PLIX resources with your library system, or larger library community.
- 🥳 A showcase share out presentation of your experience offering creative STEAM learning in your library!
- 🗓️ Thu April 15th, 2027!
Our previous Ambassadors loved…
- đź’— Meeting like-minded peers and collaborating on, creating, and sharing ideas and resources
- ✋🏼 Making time to try out PLIX activities
- 🧠Sharing the creative learning mindset and supporting the STEAM confidence of their library staff
- 🎖Receiving professional recognition and growing their leadership skills
- 🪴Continuing to be a PLIX collaborator beyond the Ambassador Program
Save the dates
We have a fast turn-around timeline! In anticipation, please put a hold on your calendar for these dates.
💖 Second Thursdays 1-2PM ET — Ambassador Program Meetings
- October 8th
- November 12th
- December 10th
- January 14th
- February 11th
- March 11th
- April 8th
- Showcase: April 15th (this is a 3rd Thursday!)
- May 13th
🤩 Third Thursdays 1-2PM ET — Free Monthly Workshops (open to everyone!)
- September 17th
- October 15th
- November 19th
- December 17th
- January 21st
- February 18th
- March 18th
- April 15th (Showcase)
- May 20th
This year we’re collaborating with friends across the MIT campus to co-design and adapt our activities to your library. This includes:
- a scientist-educator who worked on NASA science activation education
- a maker-educator at MIT’s Edgerton Center
- a research-scientist who explores choreography, data, and science education from MIT’s STEP Lab
- and more!
These collaborations help provide materials to offer the activities for your community!
“A fantastic opportunity to work with librarians across the country, as well as some passionate students, to grow the science game and bring quality modern programming to our community”
— Rob Polivka, Youth Librarian, Hillsboro, OR
“The PLIX Ambassador program and PLIX resources have given me the ability to see how much further our Makerspace can go in offering our patrons engaging activities that manage to teach them STEM concepts.
It’s been and engaging and energizing experience.”
— Christine Seliga, Pima Community College Library, AZ
“Finding this ambassadorship definitely helped me feel more legit. And having access to other librarians and seeing what they're doing … It's just been a great jumping off point,…a lot of confidence was gained and definitely improved my skill set.”
— Heba Thiele, Gretna Public Library, NE
“Words cannot express how much of an honor it is to be part of this group. I am so appreciative of all the ideas, dreams, schemes, and connections I’ve made.
And so is my library: Our members and staff in all eighteen branches look forward to more creative scheming. Here at PLIX, just about anything is possible.”
— Stephanie Skaryd, Palm Beach County Library System, FL
“PLIX brought my dreams to reality! Through resources supplied by the PLIX program, I was able to bring programs to my community that I did not have the ability to do on my own.
Because of PLIX, I am able to provide meaningful coding programs across the library system throughout the summer.”
— Dana Phelps, Hedgesville Public Library, WV