With the popularity of the Library of Things: Outdoor Adventure Kits added to the collection in May 2025, Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) sought to enhance and expand this collection by purchasing more kits to circulate, and purchase replacement parts for existing kits. The availability of these items 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.

The project aims to launch a creative learning space for the Mountain View Public Library. While Mountain View is an integral part of Silicon Valley, its residents may lack access to newer technologies, tools, and machines for a variety of reasons such as prohibitive costs, space constraints, and limited time to dedicate toward learning how to use new tools. The creative center will provide residents with a freely accessible space where they can explore 3D printers, cutting machines, and tools to enhance understanding of electronics and coding in a safe environment with staff oversight. Through free and public programs led by experienced staff, residents will learn new skills and apply their newfound knowledge to personal or professional projects that can benefit themselves and the greater community.

Inspired by the FY 24-25 innovation grant for Hayward Public Library – and feeling that Oakland would also greatly benefit from deepening efforts to make the library a welcoming place for people from around the world – OPL proposes the “Celebrating Immigrant Roots at Oakland Public Library” project. This initiative will expand displays and programming that reflect and celebrate the cultural heritage of specific immigrant communities in Oakland. The vision for this project is simple but critically important, given the current level of anti-immigrant rhetoric in our nation. OPL will work with local partners to create a welcoming environment for Oakland’s diverse communities.

Due to popular demand, this project expands PACL’s previous “My Stories, Today” innovation grant by providing additional equipment and access to a second location

The Stitch-It Café program at the Pleasanton Public Library would provide materials, resources, and welcoming spaces needed for community members to come together to repair and extend the life of their clothing that requires fixing, alteration, or mending. Workshop leaders from the community with sewing and mending experience will be recruited to instruct and guide participants as they work on clothing repair. The Stitch-It Café aims to reduce global pollution by lessening the negative effects of “fast fashion,” bringing community members together through a relaxing and social shared activity, and teaching participants of all ages an important life skill that promotes self-sufficiency and sustainability. In addition, this pilot program will help position the library to explore partnerships with local agencies and youth volunteers for future sustainability initiatives, such as hosting community clothing swaps and upcycle events that promote reuse and waste reduction

The Salinas Public Library system will purchase and install three ChargeTech lockers, each equipped with six secure bays for storing and rapidly charging essential items such as cell phones, cameras, power banks, etc. Each bay includes multiple charging cables compatible with all major phone models. One locker will be installed at each of the following branches: John Steinbeck Library, César Chávez Library, and El Gabilan Library. By offering secure, dedicated charging stations, the library can help bridge this critical gap in access for some of the community’s most vulnerable and high-need users.

“San Bruno Stories” is a digital oral history initiative that empowers San Bruno community members to preserve and share personal, family, and local memories through video and audio storytelling. This project will enable the library to offer access to high-quality video production tools, editing equipment, and facilitated storytelling workshops - resources that will support patrons in creating meaningful narratives rooted in their lived experiences and community history. Select interviews will be curated and added to the San Bruno Local History Collection to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility for future generations. By supporting the creation of digital family histories, “San Bruno Stories” aims to foster intergenerational dialogue, celebrate cultural identity, and deepen community engagement through the sharing of diverse voices and stories.

The San Leandro Public Library proposes launching a Memory Care Initiative, consisting of a circulating collection of ‘Memory Care Kits’ to support adults in the community, especially individuals experiencing memory challenges, their families and caregivers, and those interested in cognitive wellness. The project addresses a gap in the library's services by providing interactive tools to promote memory retention, social engagement, and promote awareness of memory health throughout the community. Additionally, it will foster collaboration with local organizations such as the San Leandro Senior Center (part of the San Leandro Human Services Department), assisted living facilities, retirement homes, and skilled nursing facilities, allowing the kits to be used on-site.

Train Your Brain at Every Age is an intergenerational project featuring Memory Kits and Krayon Kiosks with Launchpads to support the City of Sunnyvale’s strategic goal of creating an accessible, engaged, and inclusive community. These resources provide meaningful learning experiences for children, teens, and older adults, while addressing identified gaps in services for caregivers and individuals with cognitive impairments. Teens play an active role in the project’s implementation, gaining valuable leadership and community service experience.

This project provides beginner friendly resources to help community members of all ages start and maintain their own organic gardens, with a special focus on teens as leaders and ambassadors for the library. Each kit includes essential tools, an eco-friendly pot, starter soil, and seeds selected to thrive in Watsonville’s environment, making gardening affordable and accessible while promoting healthier lifestyles and food independence.