In 2021, Sami, a Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library, was selected as one of the MIT Media Lab’s first-ever cohort of Public Library Innovation Exchange (PLIX) Creative Learning Ambassadors, in recognition of her achievements and promise within the library community.

Sami will advocate for creative STEM learning in public libraries in Central Oregon, and nationally. The Ambassadors program is made possible with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and includes an honorarium, materials, and equipment to support their efforts.

The 25 Ambassadors chosen represent a wide range of library professionals — in the roles they perform, the size and setting of their libraries (some tiny rural branches, others huge urban systems), their personal identities, and the depth of experience in librarianship and/or STEM topics. They all share abundant enthusiasm for PLIX and its potential to transform library programming with its unique approach to hands-on, creative STEM learning.

Ambassadors will take on a leadership role in local communities as well as online in the PLIX Community of Practice. Collaborating with PLIX, they’ll co-facilitate online courses, co-host community meetings and workshops, and conduct professional development workshops for their library systems or regions.