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This spring, the Kansas State University Libraries, in Manhattan, KS, will launch a Mobile Innovation Lab, in partnership with the Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab. The towable trailer—packed with innovative technology and programming resources designed to inspire curiosity, spark innovation, and support digital equity—will deliver hands-on, STEM-focused learning experiences to middle and high school students across the state.

The three of us talk monthly in the Libraries Lead podcast (available at librarieslead.libraryjournal.com), and share content from that segment of the podcast in digital and print form through Library Journal.

In the second in a series of excerpts from his latest book, Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship, acclaimed scholar R. David Lankes presents an argument from Jain Orr, PhD Student at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Information, about the relationship between loneliness and libraries, questioning the extent to which libraries can function as social infrastructure to address feelings of isolation.

Once parodied as having a contentious relationship on NBC’s long-running show, Parks and Recreation, in recent years public libraries have found a range of ways to partner with local Parks & Recreation agencies, state parks, and even federal parks to bring residents to green spaces—and bring nature-based programs into libraries as well.

In the first of a series of excerpts from his latest book, Triptych: Death, AI, and Librarianship, acclaimed scholar R. David Lankes delivers an urgent call to action for the library profession.

An early adopter of the makerspace movement, school librarian Nathan Sekinger has been spearheading collaborative and creative learning at T. Benton Gayle Middle School for more than 10 years. Sekinger’s makerspace innovations started small—with “toy take apart” projects for students—then adding activities exploring circuits and electronics. The library is now home to a variety of student exercise, play, and discovery spots ranging from stationary bikes to a ping-pong table to tools for invention and STEM learning. 

In this AI Watch, we discuss:

• The State Libraries and AI Technologies Working Group Gathering

Welcome to our first AI Watch column! The three of us talk monthly in the Libraries Lead Podcast (available at librarieslead.libraryjournal.com), and now we share content from that segment of the podcast in digital and print form through Library Journal.

On October 3, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) announced the six North American public libraries named as Top Innovators for 2024 as part of its annual Innovations Initiative.