Hartford Public Library

In collaboration with University of HartFord's Center for Social Research, Capital Region Education Council, and Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Hartford Public Library will build a digital tool that tracks teens' non-cognitive skill development in a variety of learning spaces. The project directly addresses the need for equal access to technology and the need to minimize the opportunity gap. Additionally, the project will evaluate the efficacy of informal learning environments, particularly YOUmedia Hartford. As the number of learning labs and makerspaces in libraries continues to grow, this kind of baseline evaluation will prove valuable to sustainability efforts nationwide.