Learning Labs Grantee Convening

Team Nashville

February 12 - 13, 2013Washington, D.C.

Project InformationOur Vision

We envision a plan for a Learning Lab at Nashville Public Library that will enable us to powerfully engage an increasingly diverse youth population in Nashville in learning with new media and related arts. By marshaling together the insights and expertise of youth, community organizations, librarians, educational and architectural consultants and technology experts, we propose to plan a space of youth activity and learning that is culturally and socially relevant, that draws on the distinctive strengths in media and the arts within Nashville, and that productively and imaginatively bridges—in its design—physical and digital spaces.

Project InformationProject & Community Partners

With a successful teen center in place at its Main Library, the library has identified a 2,667 square-foot space immediately adjacent to the 7,412 square-foot center that can be remodeled for seamless integration with the existing space.

Project InformationPhysical Space Location

Making Progress: Space Design

Making Progress: Youth Engagement

• Steering Committee

• Surveys• Focus Groups• 1-on-1

Interviews• Prototypes

• Writing• Music• Gaming• Making

Making Progress: Structured Activities

Lessons Learned

Excitement:

“ I think the most exciting thing for me has been being at the table with so many people with diverse backgrounds who all have an interest in kids and want to make this the best experience we can for the teens of Nashville.” Dr. Kevin Leander

Lessons Learned

Challenges:

• Bridging the Physical and Virtual Spaces

• Articulating the project to potential funders

• Determining amount of funding needed

Lessons Learned

Wish we’d known:

• Full 18 month planning period is needed!

What’s next?

Goals in the next 6 months?• Complete Prototypes• Complete Space Design• Name for Space• Promotional Materials• Finalize Budget