Sustainable Future will focus on older adult education through interactive programming in the library’s reopening makerspace, The LAB. The combination of guest speakers, open lab demonstrations, and workshops will highlight the important intersections of AI, 3D printing, and VR within all three target areas of the PLP Innovation and Technology Grant: sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate change. With grant funded technology including 3D printers, AI software, and VR headsets, community members will be able to participate with a hands-on (or VR headset on) approach to library programming that will lead to engaging, immersive learning experiences. At the end of the grant period, community members will have learned how advancing technologies can help lead to a sustainable future.

The  Tanimura and Antle Library at California State University Monterey Bay was a state-of-the-art building when it opened in 2008. The building's atrium extends from the first to the third floor, and while aesthetically appealing, has the unanticipated effect of allowing noise to carry throughout the building. Many of our students work collaboratively in the library, and the co-location of classrooms and student services in the building creates additional foot traffic and noise. While many students take this in stride, our users with sensory sensitivities sometimes struggle to study in an environment with visual and aural distractions. The CSUMB Library has study rooms, but these are primarily designed for groups, are not soundproof, and have glass windows or doors that can lead to visual distraction. Sensory-friendly study pods would provide a critical resource for our neurodivergent students. We are proposing a pilot project with a single study pod that would allow us to assess the demand for the pod and the features that are most critical for our sensory-sensitive students, with the intention of acquiring additional pods in the future.

Hayward has been reimagining how public libraries should look and how we can reflect the diversity of our communities, and how we should be serving new immigrants, many of whom arrive full of hope, and are often disheartened at the xenophobia they face or see reported in the news. Hayward Public Library is expanding the "Libraries as a third place" to "Libraries as Placemakers." A recent study finds Hayward the most ethnically and linguistically diverse of all medium and small cities in the US. Most residents see the Library as a welcoming and safe place for our diverse community and new immigrants. We have been piloting a very successful and popular "Placemaking" project for a couple of years by having representative, and larger than life, art/symbols around the library during heritage months and to celebrate special occasions. This is not a few book-displays or occasional programming, but 3 to 4 week-long, unapologetic and beautiful decorations that cannot be missed or avoided as people walk into our two locations, accompanied by cultural programming. Families can see themselves and be reminded of their cultural and lived heritage, of the diversity of our nation, and immigrants can feel welcome in an often-difficult new environment.

Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) is seeking to enhance the existing Library of Things available for circulation, by adding recreational items to the collection. The availability of these items will create greater accessibility to Monterey County outdoor spaces and provide ways for Monterey County residents of all income levels to utilize and enjoy the world-renowned outdoor spaces available in Monterey County on their own, or with their families and friends

During the 2022 and 2023 storms that knocked out power to the Monterey Peninsula, Monterey Public Library served as a Community Resiliency Hub for the area. We were one of the only buildings with a generator, and one of the only places in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, and Carmel with internet access! When this happened, the Library used every single outlet through the building and surge protector. Many people forgot device chargers, and it was inefficient for one person to use a single outlet in some areas. We will add 2 device locker charging stations and add additional surge protector and desk outlets where possible through the library. 

This project aims to install wireless chargers at strategic locations throughout the library. Requests for chargers, whether for phones, tablets, or computers have become exceedingly common, as people now rely on their devices for everything from directions to accessing health records. The increased use of two factor authentication means that even when using the library’s computers, customers may need to access a charged phone or other device to gain access to their email or other accounts. In addition, the libraries own digital resources are often accessed in house on customers personal devices. To meet this need, the Mountain View Public Library seeks to provide discrete, wireless charging stations at tables and study carrels strategically located throughout the library.  Usability is uncomplicated and requires only that the customer has a wireless charging enabled device. The device is simply placed on the charging pad, with no wires or other secondary processes necessary.

The Pleasanton Library is excited to explore a Sustainable Living program—a comprehensive gardening collection and interactive program series running from November 2024 to June 2025. Sustainable Living aims to empower our community by promoting self-sufficiency, healthier eating habits, and the joy of growing one’s own food. To support this, the Library would expand its “Library of Things” to include a variety of gardening tools and collaborate with the Livermore Amador Garden Club to offer workshops on sustainable practices, fostering community interaction and shared responsibility. Workshops would be offered at the Library and through Zippy! – the Library’s new outreach vehicle, which is scheduled to premier in late 2024. Programming would be designed to reach individuals from different communities in Pleasanton, including: families, seniors, individuals in our Spanish and Chinese language speaking communities, and those who live in multi-family homes. Sustainable living through gardening and food growth is an important topic that touches all parts of our community.

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to environmental and human health due to its pervasive presence and toxic effects. A recent pilot study by the San Francisco Estuary Institute found that “San Francisco Bay has more microplastic pollution than other major water bodies in the U.S. (San Francisco Estuary Institute, sfei.org, 2024).” One of the many sources of this pollution is plastic water bottles. Installing a water bottle refilling station at the San Bruno Public Library’s outside plaza area would be a small yet impactful step in reducing plastic waste. Each refill at this station could mean one less water bottle in a landfill or waterway. The new station, which would include both a bottle filler and drinking fountain, would replace the existing fountain. Accessible 24/7, this refilling station would offer free potable water to anyone in our community.

At the College of San Mateo, the Library is the “Third Place” on campus, a place for students to gather that is separate from their home (first place) and separate from their workplace (second place). Students are on campus for an extended period of time and in between a morning class and an afternoon class, they come to the Library to study, gather, collaborate, relax, and sometimes sleep. These charging lockers will provide a basic need for secured charging for students’ cell phones and devices. Our students are digital natives and use their cell phone, devices, and multiple apps for their courses via Canvas learning management system, email, various cloud platforms (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365), collaborative communication (Slack, MS Teams) and WEPA cloud printing, as well as library databases, collections, streaming media, and research guides. The charging stations will ensure fully charged cell phones and devices that support student success and access. This also provides added security that students can study, work, and rest at the Library for an extended period of time throughout the school day

By acquiring a set of ten virtual reality headsets and software, South San Francisco Public Library will launch a program called VR World. The virtual reality platform will include creative software, allowing groups of users to craft virtual artworks of any size and scope. Travel and nature software will enable the community to globetrot together and come face to face with animals in the wild from the comfort of the library. Immersive classes covering subjects like math, science, engineering, architecture, geography, technology, and design will be utilized as well.