LABraries & LABrarians: a proposal for a national LABrary System

To ensure that every American can learn, explore, and innovate responsibly with biology, we must have publicly accessible labs, LABraries and community-based science leaders, LABrarians. Although initially for biology, LABraries will eventually serve as centers of knowledge and learning for all natural sciences. Just as the public library system transformed the 20th century, a 21st century LABrary system will empower millions starting with bioliteracy. Spaces such as community biology labs, nature centers, and museums already excite the public to explore biology in their everyday lives. Yet, they are not accessible to all. A LABrary in every city and town in the U.S. will equip all Americans to support their families and communities by providing good jobs, new innovations, and education for a better tomorrow. Americans will learn new skills, conduct research, and develop new inventions at their local LABrary. These public spaces for science will equip Americans to be leaders and participants in the domestic and global bioeconomy, not just passive consumers and observers. We lay out a vision for an American LABrary system and a new profession, LABrarians. We call on policymakers, funders, and community organizations to join together in making biology for everyone. Together, we can support policies that advance local biology infrastructure, fund community efforts advancing bioliteracy, and build LABraries across the United States of America.