Refocusing mobile makerspace outreach efforts internally as professional development
| Date | 21 March 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-07-2015-0077 |
| Published date | 21 March 2016 |
| Pages | 130-142 |
| Author | Erich Purpur,Tara Radniecki,Patrick Tod Colegrove,Chrissy Klenke |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Refocusing mobile makerspace
outreach efforts internally as
professional development
Erich Purpur, Tara Radniecki, Patrick Tod Colegrove and
Chrissy Klenke
University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to uninitiate new and non-traditional library resources, such as
those commonly found in a makerspace, can often seem abstract, intimidating, or even unrelated to the
library mission. The University of Nevada’s DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library set out to
engage its on-campus library colleagues to increase awareness and understanding of the new
technologies being offered in support of active learning and discovery.
Design/methodology/approach –The science and engineering library is experimenting with an
ongoing series of inreach/outreach workshops that enable other library faculty and staff from across
the greater library organization to experience their non-traditional services and resources. A first
pop-up maker technology workshop took place in June 2015 and was composed of three sessions
including an introduction to 3D printing and modeling, digital design literacies, and lendable
technologies. A survey was distributed to attendees for feedback.
Findings –Anecdotal evidence suggest the event was successful, offering a potentially powerful
mechanism for engaging and informing library staff about non-traditional resources and technology.
Originality/value –This outreach approach may prove valuable for other academic libraries to
similarly create awareness of non-traditional resources and technologies among its colleagues.
Keywords Academic libraries, Emerging technologies, Active learning, Makerspace,
Knowledge creation, Staff development
Paper type Case study
Introduction and background
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) was established in 1874 as the state’slandgrant
institution and is Carnegie ranked as a high research, comprehensive doctoral university
(The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, 2015) The Mathewson-IGT
Knowledge Center (MIKC) is the main library on campus and provides primary support to
the student body of approximately 20,000 students. The DeLaMare (DLM) Science and
Engineering Library is a small branch library on the campus of the UNR. Over the past five
years, DLM has acquired and provided access to a variety of non-traditional maker resources
and services including 3D printing and scanning, laser and vinyl cutting, a large collection of
lendable technology with programmable electronics, virtual reality goggles, and more.
In support of its outreach mission, DLM faculty and staff regularly take this maker
technologyon the road engaging with both the Universityand greater Reno communities
at a variety of events.These outreach and engagement efforts have repeatedly proven to
be successful, prompting the consideration of their possible use as part of internal
professionaldevelopment and outreach. To the uninitiated,such new and non-traditional
library services can often seem abstract, intimidating, or even unrelated to the library
mission. The authorsset out to engage their on-campus library peersby means of mobile
makerspace inreach efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the new
technologies being offered in support of active learning and discovery.
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 34 No. 1, 2016
pp. 130-142
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-07-2015-0077
Received 27 July 2015
Revised 3 October 2015
Accepted 29 October 2015
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
130
LHT
34,1
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