2017 Charleston Library Conference

Traditionally, academic library services have focused on connecting print collections to researchers. As academic libraries shift to providing services and support for the exploration, learning, knowledge sharing, and creation of innovative research projects and tools, collection development responsibilities of the past have morphed to include acquisition of technologies, digital objects, data, experts, and spaces. Librarians face the challenge of curating and supporting these creative endeavors.

These resources lack a common disciplinary definition, but they share values with making and makerspaces, supporting discovery, experimentation, and exploration. In order to consolidate these collections of resources, the role of the librarian, then, becomes that of shopkeeper, peddling a diverse list of goods and services without discrimination.

The concept of makerspaces is not new, but as these spaces continue to appear in academic libraries, we must question the types of support we provide. In concert with bringing the physical makerspace to fruition in our library, we have worked to develop a digital portal that will connect orphaned collections with the physical spaces devoted to making; this supplements traditional collection development practices while breaking down barriers to cross-disciplinary work. This virtual hub not only connects makers with campus-wide spaces for making and collections of all kinds that support and inspire making, but also publishes the physical in the digital world, bringing concepts and projects to those who would otherwise have little or no chance to interact with making.

This poster highlights the role of libraries in supporting makerspaces and showcases a collaborative model that enables cross-pollination of ideas, activities, and resources that support creative inquiry outside of the classroom. Attendees will exchange ideas about makerspaces, virtual communities, and related collection development practices, and will learn about creating a librarian-curated portal that showcases the application of a maker mindset and the integration of emerging technologies.