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SEED Youth Program Ends; Library’s New Creativity Lab Takes Root
By Staff Writer
Published on Tue, Dec 23, 2025
After four years of hands-on learning that blended art, science and technology, the Long Beach Public Library has wrapped up its SEED program, a popular initiative for middle school students that came to an end following the loss of federal funding.
SEED’s final day was in September, after federal policy changes eliminated the Department of Education funding that supported it with more $400,000 since its launch in 2022. SEED was a “STEAM ecosystem” model that blended science, technology, engineering and math with the arts, offering workshops at five library locations and an urban farm.
The program’s key partners included Dramatic Results, a local nonprofit, as well as mentors from California State University, Long Beach, and more than 40 educators—from CSULB pre-service teachers to local artists and working professionals.
The impact was sizable. More than 500 middle schoolers took part, attending 255 workshops over four years. Many students stuck with the program for months at a time, averaging about 30 hours each—and some logging more than 100 hours—exploring everything from creative problem-solving to hands-on design projects.
Library leaders say that despite shifting funding landscapes, their commitment remains the same: providing Long Beach youth with meaningful, creative and educational opportunities that help them learn, grow and imagine what’s possible.
In place of SEED, library officials say they’re rolling out a new Creativity Lab, representing an important next chapter for youth programming. The LBPL Creativity Lab is a youth-focused initiative aimed at continuing hands-on, arts-driven learning.
Supported by the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Creativity Lab builds on the strengths of SEED while offering a more flexible format designed to support ongoing innovation. The program aligns with the City’s broader goal of expanding opportunities for young people and reflects the library’s mission to elevate arts, culture and technology throughout the community.
To help shape the new initiative, library staff recently hosted listening sessions with former SEED participants, families, students and staff. Feedback from those conversations directly informed the design of the Creativity Lab, and organizers say continued input from community partners—particularly local artists, educators and members of the Downtown Design District—is welcome.
The Creativity Lab’s first five-week session is scheduled to begin in February 2026.
City officials say they will continue to update residents on how federal funding changes impact local services and programs. More information is available at longbeach.gov/FedFundingUpdates.
