[kids-lib] STEAM Workshop Series (PLIX) & OLA IFC Seeks Members

Mon Sep 8 09:49:31 PDT 2025

Please pardon the cross-posting. Hi, folks. I’m forwarding information about two opportunities. The first email below details information about the 2025 PLIX workshop series<https://plix.mit.edu/news-updates/plix-facilitating-creative-learning-workshop-series>. PLIX<https://plix.mit.edu/about> is a project from MIT Open Learning designed to help public library staff build confidence around facilitating learning through STEAM activities, and this year they are expanding to include school and academic library staff. To be eligible to apply for the free learning events and to receive a materials kit, you must be available for all three online 1-hr workshops. Curious? There’s an info session on 9/11. The second email below is a call for new members of the Oregon Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee<https://www.olaweb.org/if-home>. The time commitment is about 5 hours a month, including a 2-hr online meeting, and applications are due by the end of the day, 9/11. – Best, Jen (Jen Maurer, School Library Consultant, State Library of Oregon, jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jennifer.maurer at slo.oregon.gov>)

From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of HANNING Darci * SLO via Libs-Or
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 9:04 AM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: [Libs-Or] Applications open: PLIX Facilitating Creative Learning Workshop Series 💗

Hello library community and happy Monday!

I’m passing this along for those who might be interested – and please share with your colleagues and networks, thank you!

Hi folks,

Happy almost fall! I hope you had a relaxing and fruitful 🍉summer reading.

PLIX just launched our fall 2025 workshop series on Facilitating Creative STEAM Learning! This workshop series is especially perfect for libraries interested in strengthening their library programs with STEM concepts while maintaining fun hands-on open-exploration. It’s free, open to public, school, and academic libraries.

Please share and consider applying:

·       More info about the workshop series: https://plix.mit.edu/news-updates/plix-facilitating-creative-learning-workshop-series

o   Infosession next Thu Sept 11th, 1-2pm ET

o   Application deadline Thu Sept 25th

·       More info about PLIX: https://plix.mit.edu/news-updates/transforming-how-local-communities-engage-with-creativity-and-steam-in-libraries

-Ada \(ᵔᵕᵔ)/

Ada Ren-Mitchell
Learning Programs Designer
Public Library Innovation Exchange<https://plix.mit.edu/>
pK-12<https://pk12.mit.edu/> at MIT Open Learning<https://openlearning.mit.edu/>

Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

[State Library of Oregon (Logo)]

From: Libs-Or libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of Intellectual Freedom Committee via Libs-Or
Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:30 AM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: [Libs-Or] Interested in joining the Intellectual Freedom Committee?

Hello, valiant intellectual freedom fighters!

The Oregon Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.olaweb.org%2fif-home&c=E,1,XTewfRfJn3vyJMfU7MPw7y57nFC5oNEU8ISZt-G34q7Wi4Pdi6eBi15pa3ckd7KEmSFtDRDNbAzNhze44wLYqzrs-EwI3FF0Tr_LOAuQyRijEkKpVmFtTMo,&typo=1> is expanding and currently seeking new members for multiple open positions. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about intellectual freedom and eager to support and advocate for the intellectual freedom needs of Oregon libraries, especially in a time of unprecedented challenges.

To apply, please send a Letter of Interest (no longer than 1 page) to Alyssa Donoho and Shelby Paulson, the current co-chairs of the committee, at ifc.chair at olaweb.org<mailto:ifc.chair at olaweb.org>. Please include information about the following: areas of intellectual freedom experience and/or that you are passionate about, your availability to participate in committee work, and the work and life experience which you would bring to the committee. We especially encourage people from historically underrepresented groups, non-represented regions (see current member map<https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1dY8aRgJeIaB90kC1YUmr5mamoSXXd9U&usp=sharing>), and all library types (public, academic, school, tribal) to apply. Applications are due by the end of day Thursday, September 11th.

The Intellectual Freedom Committee is now a 13-member standing OLA committee with the charge of supporting the library community's commitment to the freedom to read, open access to information, and other intellectual freedom issues throughout the state. These are some of the ongoing projects of the committee:

  *   Supporting libraries that receive intellectual freedom challenges, including to materials, and face other IF issues
  *   Supporting Banned Books Week
  *   Sponsoring sessions at the OLA and/or division conference on IF issues
  *   Providing information on IF issues through listserv communication, social media, web toolkits, and other resources
  *   Honoring Intellectual Freedom Champions
  *   Working with the OLA Legislative Committee and Board on topical issues that arise, such as net neutrality

Please note, given the current environment of extensive intellectual freedom challenges, committee participation can be significant. The estimated monthly time commitment is a minimum of five hours, which includes participating in the monthly meeting and about three hours of project work and correspondence. Expectations of committee members’ engagement include the following:

  *   Attending monthly virtual IFC meetings
  *   Volunteering to complete committee action items
  *   Responding actively to requests for challenge support
  *   Responding in a timely manner to committee emails and correspondence
  *   Providing IF training upon request

Members are asked to serve at least two years. The IFC meets remotely on the second Friday of each month, either via Zoom or conference call. Applicants must be available to attend Friday 1:00-3:00 PM (Pacific time) meetings. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the committee but have a scheduling conflict.

If you have any questions about the committee, please feel free to contact us!

Alyssa Donoho

Shelby Paulson

IFC Co-Chairs

--
Chair - ifc.chair at olaweb.org<mailto:ifc.chair at olaweb.org>
Intellectual Freedom Committee https://www.olaweb.org/if-home
Oregon Library Association https://www.olaweb.org/

Disclaimer: all information provided by the IFC is intended for informational purposes only.  This is not to be considered legal advice. Should you need legal advice, we recommend contacting a practicing attorney in your jurisdiction.
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