NASA awarded a $10.1 million cooperative agreement to the Space Science Institute (SSI) on February 2, 2016, through NASA's Science Mission Directorate to develop NASA@My Library, a national Earth and space science initiative designed to connect NASA resources with public libraries and their communities. The program aims to establish systemic collaborations between NASA, public libraries, state library associations, and informal education organizations such as science centers and museums to develop effective STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs that specifically target underserved populations, including rural communities and underrepresented groups. This non-set-aside competitive award reflects SSI's scientific and technical merit, with performance centered in Boulder, Colorado, and scheduled for completion by December 31, 2026.
The project assembles a strong partnership ecosystem including the Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, the American Library Association, and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, with the Education Development Center providing formative and summative evaluation. The initiative will leverage existing resources from the STAR Library Education Network (STAR NET), a program primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, to distribute STEM activities, online community engagement tools, and partnership-building resources. An advisory committee composed of subject matter experts in relevant STEM disciplines will ensure alignment with NASA's Science Mission Directorate education programs and informal learning best practices, enabling the program to expand NASA's educational reach through the nation's public library system.
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