Places to create and explore: The benefits of makerspaces in academic libraries

What is a makerspace, and why should your academic library have one?

Let’s start by answering the first part of that question. As the name implies, a makerspace is a dedicated space equipped with the tools to enable users to, well, make things. Simple, right? They may go by other names — tech labs or hackerspaces, for example — but the essential idea remains the same. Examples of makerspaces include community workshops that offer 3D printers, laser cutters and electronics stations, facilitating hands-on creativity and learning.

The genesis of the modern-day maker movement is often traced to the establishment of Vienna’s Metalab in 2006. American Libraries magazine, however, notes that library makerspaces have precedents in prior centuries.

In 1873, for instance, the Gowanda Ladies Social Society in New York State — which would eventually receive a state library charter as the Gowanda Free Library — “formed to quilt, knit, sew, socialize, and talk about books”.

Makerspaces in public libraries

As a community hub where people gather to share resources, the public library seems like a natural place to establish a makerspace.

As American Libraries notes:

Fundamentally, makerspaces are a technological leap past library knitting and quilting circles, where patrons and experts have often come together to learn new techniques and train others in a skill. The new tools are a lot flashier, and certainly more expensive than a needle and thread. The cost factor is what makes a makerspace so appealing to library visitors—what one person cannot afford to purchase for occasional use, the library can buy and share with the community.

See also:

• How academic libraries can facilitate collaborative learning in higher education

• Faced with budget cuts, academic libraries must get creative with resources

• How technology has changed education in academic institutions

Library makerspaces on campus

A collaborative workspace where people can come together to create, invent and learn using various tools and technologies is also a natural fit for a library on a university or college campus.

These spaces often provide access to equipment like sewing machines, podcasting equipment, cameras and green screens for video production and other materials that support a wide range of creative and technical activities.

Makerspaces are designed to facilitate experiential learning, allowing makers to experiment with new ideas and projects in a supportive environment, thereby fostering innovation and creativity.

Why would an academic library want to have a makerspace?

Enhancing learning and research

Academic libraries are centers for learning and knowledge dissemination. A makerspace can extend the library's role by offering students, faculty and researchers a place to experiment and apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

It can support disciplines like engineering, art, design and the sciences, enabling hands-on projects that complement traditional academic research.

The UNLV Libraries makerspace, for example, which is outfitted with 3D printers and a vinyl cutter, among other things, makes table space for prototyping available on a first come, first served basis, and students can sign up for project design and support from staff.

Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration

Makerspaces encourage collaborating across different fields of study. By bringing together individuals from various disciplines, these spaces can spark interdisciplinary projects and foster innovative thinking, aligning with the goals of many academic institutions.

Supporting digital literacy and technological skills

As technology continues to play a significant role in academia and the job market, providing access to advanced tools and technologies helps students and faculty develop crucial skills.

For example, a digital news platform such as PressReader can equip students with the latest news and insights from around the world so they can stay sharp and ready for academic and real-life challenges.

A makerspace can offer workshops, training sessions and resources that build competencies in areas like coding, digital fabrication and prototyping.

Encouraging creativity and innovation

Academic libraries have traditionally been places for intellectual exploration. A makerspace enhances this by offering a space for creative problem-solving, innovative learning and entrepreneurial activities. It allows users to experiment with new ideas, leading to the development of unique solutions and projects.

Community building and engagement

Campus-library makerspaces can serve as hubs for both creation and engagement. They provide opportunities for students, faculty and even the broader community to come together, share knowledge and work on projects that benefit the institution and beyond.

For example, the Purdue Libraries Knowledge Lab teamed up with the Asian American and Asian Resource Cultural Center to produce a unique interactive quilt highlighting the history of Asian culture and communities on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Attracting and retaining students

A well-equipped makerspace can be an attractive feature for prospective students, demonstrating that the institution values hands-on learning and innovation. It can also enhance student satisfaction and retention by providing unique learning opportunities.

Case in point: the J. Paul Leonard Library at San Francisco State University includes a digital media studio and a makerspace. The SFSU student publication, Golden Gate Xpress, quotes Rodolfo Guzman, a returning student on his second academic journey after several decades away from campus:

Now this time around, things are so different when there are so many resources, and you can find all this information online. If there were as many resources available back then when I was a student, I probably wouldn’t have left.