Research on makers’ knowledge space construction by libraries
| Date | 18 November 2019 |
| Pages | 699-712 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-02-2019-0055 |
| Published date | 18 November 2019 |
| Author | Wei Liang,Zhangping Lu,Guifeng Liu,Wencheng Su |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information user studies,Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Research on makers’knowledge
space construction by libraries
Wei Liang, Zhangping Lu, Guifeng Liu and Wencheng Su
Scientific Information Institute, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to figure out the exact knowledge demand of makers. Furthermore,
the paper aims to construct the knowledge space based on makers’knowledge demand.
Design/methodology/approach –The first step of this research is to explore the makers’knowledge
demand by the methods of field investigation, non-interventional study and in-depth interviews. On that
basis, the elements, principles, framework and mechanism of the knowledge space were discussed. The
grounded theory and NVivo software were used in the data analysis.
Findings –The investigation shows that interest and competition are the main motivations for makers’
knowledge demand.The findings also indicate that the characteristics are active knowledge needs, “informal
learning”preferences, divergentthinking, close communityties and interdisciplinary.According to the makers’
knowledge demandnode conceptual model, the content of makers’knowledge demand is principleknowledge,
empirical knowledge and knowledgesituation. Based on the abovefindings, the elements, principles,operation
frameworkand inherent operation mechanismof the knowledge spaceconstruction are systemicallydescribed.
Originality/value –This study gives precise details about makers’knowledge demand and the construction
of makers’knowledge space by libraries. This is the first research that comprehensively explores the
knowledge demand of makers. The findings can help the library plan and implement the construction of
makerspace, and also improve the service for makers.
Keywords Library services, Communication technologies, Maker, Knowledge demand, Knowledge space,
Makerspace
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
From the rise of shared learning and open access in the 1990s, to the opening of the knowledge
economy era in the early twenty-first century and the change of teaching, research and learning
modelsled by MOOCs, to the tideof innovation and entrepreneurship that hasswept the world
by maker movement in recent years, the envi ronment for knowledge exchange has changed
dramatically. Mark Hatch (2013) said, “We are stillriding out the waves of thelast big things,
the computerrevolution and the explosion of the Internet.But because the maker revolution is
physical, it is destined to be bigger.”Indeed, the maker movement has not only attracted the
attention of the government represented by the Obama administration but also attracted
the attention of the business represented by Chri s Anderson. In recent years, the education
circle and library circle have been following this trend to explore opportunities and change.
In Mark Hatch’sbookThe Maker Movement Manifesto (Hatch, 2013), there is a chapter
knowledge, learning, control and intelligence, which elaborates on the importance of
knowledge to makersand reflects that knowledge demandis an important demand of makers
in the processof innovation. With the developmentof information technologyand the internet,
both knowledge providers and acquirers have more channels and platforms. However, the
massive data growth brought by the era of big data makes educators and learners at loose
ends. The makersare in urgent need of a systematic,orderly and accessible knowledge space.
Literature review
Back in 1981, the German maker veteran Wau H. and his team members established the Chaos
Computer Club, which has become Europe’s largest association of hackers after more than Library Hi Tech
Vol. 37 No. 4, 2019
pp. 699-712
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-02-2019-0055
Received 26 February 2019
Revised 14 June 2019
24 August 2019
Accepted 27 August 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
This work was supported by the Chinese National Social Science Foundation (No. 16BTQ004) and the
Philosophy and Social Science Fund of Education Department of Jiangsu Province (No. 2019SJA1871).
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Makers’
knowledge
space
construction
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