BKLYN Incubator supports innovative programs by leveraging the expertise and innovative ideas of staff throughout our 60+ locations. Staff leverage a variety of resources to develop new ideas to serve our communities and explore what it means to be a public library today. The Incubator program provides a curriculum, mentorship, and coaching through a 4-tiered competitive process and staff whose ideas are selected receive funding put their ideas into practice.
|
|
|
The purpose of BKLYN Incubator is to ensure that our work is responsive to community needs by empowering staff to build public programs and services from the ground up. To support different levels of engagement, BKLYN Incubator now offers four tiers: Planning Labs (quick planning or discovery), Replication (reinvigorating past projects), Pilot Projects (exploring new ideas), and Innovation Fellowship (expansion to new levels/locations).
Round 11 Programs:
Below are the programs selected for funding in Round 11. These initiatives will run throughout 2025.
Round 11 Innovation Fellowship Tier:
CARE (Cycle Alliance in Every Region) Initiative (Expansion of Round 6 Cycle Alliance)
Establishing or re-establishing a Cycle Alliance Chapter in one branch for every region of BPL.
The purpose of CARE is to establish a menstrual literacy program and period pantry in at least one branch in each BPL region; create a guide for future branches to start a Cycle Alliance chapter at their branch; and establish a maintenance plan for CARE beyond 2025 and 2026.
Round 11 Replication Tier:
ANYONE/ANYWHERE (Continuation of Round 9 ANYONE/ANYWHERE)
Discover community by creating art through photography and sharing it with others.
ANYONE/ANYWHERE will coordinate a photography exhibit that anyone from anywhere can contribute their photos to. Art should be accessible for all to create and collect, and this program will provide an opportunity for artists and viewers to connect over photographs offering a special, community-building experience.
Bedford's Harm Reduction Hub (Adaptation of Round 10 Rootwork)
Redefining the library as a community institution of care by offering basic necessities, personal care products, life-saving tools, and information.
Bedford Library sits next to the largest men’s shelter in Brooklyn and three family shelters within walking distance. Our community needs resources. The Crown Heights C.A.R.E Collective and Bedford Library staff will work together to build a harm reduction hub that serves our community’s needs with dignity and respect.
DevL.I.T. 🔥 Developing Literacy in Technology (Continuation of Round 10 DevL.I.T.)
Hands-on exploration of your favorite handheld devices.
Teens will be introduced to computer science through the use of Microbit hardware, creating a tactile and interactive means to explore AI, computer systems, computational thinking, coding/programming, and data literacy. Though focused on the inner workings of computerized gaming technology, teens will leave the program also having developed a baseline understanding of an eclectic set of general computer science skills and functions.
Glow & Grow (Continuation of Round 7 BPL Beauty)
Beauty Business Essentials.
Glow & Grow empowers emerging beauty entrepreneurs with vital resources, expert guidance, and networking opportunities, equipping them with skills to build successful beauty businesses. By fostering innovation and inclusive practices, we aim to inspire and elevate participants, preparing them to thrive in today’s evolving beauty industry.
L.E.N.S. Method Photo Workshops (Continuation of Round 10 L.E.N.S. Method Photo Workshops)
Mindfulness through intentional photography (smartphone camera friendly).
The L.E.N.S. method is a series of workshops exploring pillars of emotional resilience through creative photography. This will teach people to use an accessible creative outlet —digital photography using a smartphone— to practice these concepts. Deliverables for this replication will include an online platform to post and comment on photos.
Places We Gather (Continuation of Round 10 Places We Gather)
An audio walking tour of community care and mutual aid in Fort Greene, where residents share neighborhood memories and stories.
Places We Gather: Fort Greene audio tour showcases stories of community care, activism, and resistance, engaging library patrons by animating their lived histories. The spring 2025 project launch will feature a group listening, memory circle activity, and experiential workshop, fostering civic participation, local history awareness, and digital literacy through storytelling.
Ryder Library, Walt Whitman Library, and Clinton Hill Library
Round 11 Pilot Tier:
Canarsie Teen Advisor Program
Building caring and participatory communities among teenagers.
Canarsie is working with teen patrons to set community guidelines and identify needs. By promoting a participatory, caring mindset, we aim to reduce conflict between patrons and staff.
Delivering Together
Connecting Food Delivery Workers with Brooklyn Public Library's Inclusive Spaces and Resources.
Delivering Together focuses on delivery workers unique needs by inviting them into the library, connecting them to essential amenities and educational opportunities with an objective of fostering safer road practices and community support.
Include Con
Sensory-friendly comic con: open to everybody 12+, designed for neurodivergent young people.
Many neurodivergent people (those with brain differences affecting processing, like autism and ADHD) love comics, but conventions can be sensory nightmares. Inspired by a patron, we’re designing a con with sensory needs considered at every stage.
Take a look at our previous Rounds and Cycles in Programs.
BKLYN Incubator is supported by generous funding provided by The Charles H. Revson Foundation. For more information, contact incubator@bklynlibrary.org.
Upcoming Events
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow: Beauty Business Essentials - Dress for Success Cosmetics Drive
Support Women’s Confidence & Career Success with a Cosmetics Donation!Donate, new, unopened cosmetics to help women job seekers:
Build confidenceEnhance first impressionsPrioritize self-careDress for Success® Worldwide is the leading global nonprofit employment resource for unemployed…
Glow & Grow presents AI & Branding in the Beauty Industry: Elevate Your Brand with Smart Strategies
Learn how to build a strong beauty brand with AI-driven tools and strategies.Event Description:AI is transforming the beauty industry, sparking both innovation and questions about its role in branding and…
Sewing Class Workshops
Come learn to sew with us! We provide the machines, but you might have to bring your own fabric. Cotton is always a good choice. The first Thursday of each month will be the basics of a sewing machines for those that want to learn about the machine itself. The rest of the classes will be a…
LENS Method Photo Workshops
LENS Method Photo Workshops
Reconnect with your creativity, community, and self-expression through this inspiring photography workshop series with Carey Kirkella. Share your…
Sewing Class Workshops
Come learn to sew with us! We provide the machines, but you might have to bring your own fabric. Cotton is always a good choice. The first Thursday of each month will be the basics of a sewing machines for those that want to learn about the machine itself. The rest of the classes will be a…