Join the Movement

Let’s make Biology for Everyone.

We envision a future for biology that centers community knowledge and innovation in scientific research. Drawing inspiration from the transformative impact of public libraries in the 20th century, we aim to establish a 21st-century network of local biology labs, LABraries, and a new profession, LABrarians, that will empower individuals to learn, explore, and innovate in the life sciences.

How can I help?

Let’s ensure that every community has a LABrary and LABrarian. Poliymakers, funders, and local communities all have a role to play in growing a future where everyone can explore with biology at their local LABrary.

  • LABraries benefit the public by ensuring Americans have access to biotechnology innovation centers in their community. The U.S. federal government can support these efforts by:

    • Creating a nation-wide LABraries System, for example, within the National Science Foundation (NSF). This program could offer grants that supports existing community bio labs and build new LABraries. Such an initiative could be funded through public-private partnerships.

    • Compelling new federal infrastructure projects to build a public LABrary as part of their community engagement plan.

    • Funding and expanding existing federal programs that support community biology.

    State and local governments can also support LABraries by offering resources, personnel, and space in government facilities such as libraries.

  • Private philanthropies and foundations can support LABraries through:

    • Establishing a sub-program or stand-alone organization that unifies community biology efforts throughout the U.S. This organization could offer bioliteracy programming and consulting services, expert convenings, and financial, business and curricular support to LABraries (see Section 4 for more details).

    • Funding staffing, facilities, and programming for existing community biology organizations.

  • Local community members who are passionate about LABraries can:

    • Get involved in community biology efforts locally, such as gardens, community bio labs, nature centers, museums, and more.

    • Start a LABrary/community biology lab.

    • Build a Lil Lab, similar to a Little Free Library, in your neighborhood.

Share your vision

Contribute your vision for a LABrary in your community! Download our printable PDF and upload photos for our public art project.

LABrary visions across the United States

We invited community leaders, artists, activists, and youth to contribute their vision for local LABraries across the United States.

What would a LABrary in your community look like?

  • A biomaterials LABrary in Honolulu, HI by Corinne Takara

  • A tipi LABrary for Lakota youth in Eagle Butte, SD by Wakinyan Chief

  • An ecology LABrary in Seattle, WA by Dezmond Goff

  • A garden LABrary in Salinas, CA by Leticia Hernandez

  • A biomedical LABrary in Sheridan, WY by Jasmine Neal

  • A hunting and fishing LABrary in Traverse City, MI by Callie Chappell

  • A biotechnology LABrary in Somerville, MA by Wendy Pouloit

Build a Lil Lab

Build a Little Free LABrary for science in your local community, a Lil Lab. Lil Labs are local hubs for sharing knowledge and resources to make biology for everyone.

You can join the Lil Lab Network, starting with an old cabinet, breadbox, or Little Free Library.

What would you want to put inside your Lil Lab?

Honolulu, HI

Washington, DC

Friday Harbor, WA