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 through thoughtfully facilitated 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
- Deadline:Â Mon September 21st, 2026, 11:59PM ET
- Notification Date:Â Mon September 28th, 2026
- Acceptance Deadline:Â Wed September 30th, 2026
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, so 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!
- 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!
This collaborations help provide materials to run the activities