Great news on the library front! Three quick updates:
1. We now have a gorgeous confirmed space for a demo lab, on the main floor of the central DC Public Library.[1] It will tentatively be open five days a week from 2-5pm, and two days a week from 2-7pm. It has its own dedicated router for guaranteed high-speed connectivity, and a few hundred sqft of space.
2. We've found an architect renowned for their work with library and youth spaces, through Nate, who will lead the design process.[2] They have a particular interest in library spaces with small footprints.
3. We have set up a new Google group for LibLab discussions.[3] I'll move updates and discussion about the project there; those who are interested, please join the new group and introduce yourself there!
Thanks for all of the early support that's helped us move quickly on this idea. I spoke briefly about the LibLab concept to the audience at the Wikipedia in Higher Ed summit this past weekend at Simmons, which Katie and I attended. Four people came up to talk to me afterwards wanted to talk about that idea and getting their libraries involved. So whatever we accomplish is likely to have national visibility.
At this point we could use suggestions for hardware, software research tools, and use cases; design ideas for the architect to work with; projects wanting to use the lab, and volunteers to man it, for the ten weeks from August 1 to October 15.
Sam.
[1] http://www.dclibrary.org/mlk [2] http://www.nollandtam.com/ [3] http://groups.google.com/group/liblabs