About Cornerstones of Science

Cornerstones works with public libraries providing programs and resources that help people understand how science and technology affects their daily lives and the world around them. Cornerstones was founded in 1999 at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Maine, and soon began providing staff-led science programs throughout midcoast Maine. In 2006, Cornerstones, was nationally recognized with The Highsmith Library Innovation Award, presented by The Public Library Association (a division of the American Library Association. By 2009, Cornerstones had built a 22-library partner network and it became an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, providing librarians with resources and programs to stimulate public interest in science.  Cornerstones, which now supports a network of 31 library partners in five states, comprises a Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Committee, Staff, Library Partners and Partners and Sponsors all of whom share a commitment to foster thoughtful engagement and deeper connections with the natural world.

“Rich with real-world phenomena, these are places where people can pursue and develop science interests, engage in science inquiry, and reflect on their experiences through sense-making conversations.”

– National Research Council of the National Academies, Learning Science in Informal Environments