Opportunity

A library pilot project will build institutional bridges across the K–20 spectrum of K–12 schools, public libraries, colleges, universities and others to enhance and extend connected learning opportunities and resource sharing for life-long learning. We seek to enable local public, school and academic libraries in the Kansas City area to collaborate using high-speed fiber to enhance and extend distance-learning opportunities; share resources; and showcase local art, writing and music.

Action Steps:

• Support formal agreements among participating organizations to enable information sharing and collaborative program development.
• Encourage the application of resources to establish a distributed test lab.
• Help secure funding for hardware and software required at participating institutions to enable distance learning and resource sharing among the K-20 collaboration.

Benefits and Outcomes

The Libraries Pilot will result in enhanced resource sharing and new distance-learning opportunities, and will help reduce technological and administrative barriers to the use of high-speed technology and collaboration among library institutions.

Accomplishments

• Leading development and implementation of Software Lending Library app with KC Public Library; won $17,500 Mozilla Ignite grant, presented on main stage at Application Summit; and awarded “most likely to have big impact” among 22 Mozilla Ignite grantees
• Working closely with libraries on digital inclusion activities
• K-20 Librarian initiative established as a regional gigabit library convening and planning process
• Digital Media Lab for teens by KC Public Library launched in conjunction with YOUMedia and a grant from the Macarthur Foundation
• MakerSpace built in Johnson County Central Library
• Super WiFi/television white space (TVWS) pilot to provide upgraded service to Schloegel library in KCK