What is the library's role in the digital age? The next Knight News Challenge opens next Wednesday, Sept. 10, on the subject of U.S. libraries -- accentuating their strengths, identifying and solving any problems, and nurturing them as community centers for future generations. 

While applications will be accepted Sept. 10 through Sept. 30, the challenge is now accessible for an initial "inspiration phase" and is accessible as an open platform for ideas. Submission ideas will have a chance to win a share of the $2.5 million in awards, to be announced January 2015. Accepted entries will have the opportunity to refine their submissions in a future editing phase.

Read the challenge brief and submit your idea.

The challenge notes the importance of physical libraries, and provides an interesting balance for the theme of the last round, where $3.4 million went to projects strengthening the Internet. Though library challenges are encouraged, they don't necessarily need to focus on libraries in order to be accepted.