Evaluating the value and impact of makerspaces on public libraries

Koh, Kyungwon; Balasubramaniam, Gowri; Knox, Emily; Zalot, Andy

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130772 Copy

Description

Title

Evaluating the value and impact of makerspaces on public libraries

Author(s)

• Koh, Kyungwon
• Balasubramaniam, Gowri
• Knox, Emily
• Zalot, Andy

Issue Date

2024-10-16

Keyword(s)

• Makerspaces
• non-traditional library services
• evaluation
• values
• impacts
• public libraries
• community engagement
• education

Abstract

This study addresses the need to evaluate the value and impact of a public library makerspace broadly at the organizational level. Since they first appeared in U.S. libraries in 2011, once viewed as a trend or an emerging service, nowadays a number of libraries incorporate makerspaces or maker programs as part of their core, regular services. While existing literature on makerspace evaluation primarily focuses on individual learning outcomes (e.g., STEM learning), our study found the value of makerspaces to their libraries. Thirteen focus groups were conducted in three public libraries in Illinois, engaging forty-two participants including users, non-users, teens, staff members, and community stakeholders. Data unveiled that makerspaces support libraries' missions in new and expanded ways, upholding core values of librarianship; change people's perceptions of libraries and increase pride in their libraries; and attract new community members and encourage broader usage of library services.

Publisher

Association for Library and Information Science Education

Series/Report Name or Number

Proceedings of the ALISE Annual Conference, 2024

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

• Conference Paper
• Presentation

Language

eng

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130772

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21900/j.alise.2024.1731

Copyright and License Information

• Copyright 2024 Kyungwon Koh, Gowri Balasubramaniam, Emily Knox, Andy Zalot
• This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).

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