What to make of makerspaces. Tools and DIY only or is there an interconnected information resources space?
| Pages | 519-525 |
| Published date | 16 November 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-09-2015-0092 |
| Date | 16 November 2015 |
| Author | Ina Fourie,Anika Meyer |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
What to make of makerspaces
Tools and DIY only or is there an
interconnected information resources space?
Ina Fourie and Anika Meyer
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –Much has been published on makerspaces: the history, development and progress and how
they are used –stories of successes and opinions on their potential. The purpose of this paper is to
comment on such publications within the library and information science (LIS) literature and to warn
libraries to not only focus on providing physical spaces and tools but to explore the bigger potential
of extended, interconnected spaces for information and information resources and “mutations”of
makerspaces such as makerlearning.
Design/methodology/approach –The contribution is based on a pragmatic and reflective analysis
of the LIS literature on makerspaces. The questions are: what to make of the literature, and what needs
to be done to enrich the subject literature to support an interconnected approach to makerspaces and
information resources and information support?
Findings –There is a very strong focus in the literature on libraries as physical spaces for
makerspaces, the planning, provision, maintenance and how-we-do-it approaches. Although very
important this does not sufficiently explore an interconnection between makerspaces and an expanded
information-related involvement of libraries, e.g. in information literacy training, guided inquiry,
bridging the digital divide, research (embedded librarianship) and community support.
Research limitations/implications –There are many publications on makerspaces in the LIS
literature. They however, mostly do not reflect on the opportunities to take a more holistic look at the
potential of makerspaces in libraries interconnected to the use of information resources, and
information-related support and intervention from libraries.
Originality/value –Although there are many papers on makerspaces the purpose of this
contribution is to focus on extended input from libraries.
Keywords Academic libraries, Libraries, Information literacy, Makerspaces, Creative spaces,
Library roles
Paper type Conceptual paper
1. Introduction
Makerspaces have been widely accepted in academic and public libraries, museums
and schools (Brady et al., 2014; Buerkett, 2014; Daley and Child, 2015; Pryor, 2014;
Slatter and Howard, 2013). Often they have been accepted in the culture and spirit of
the libraries taking initiatives to provide things for making and spontaneous informal
learning. The makerspace movement is embraced as a movement that can boost the
image of librarians as being innovative and keeping up with trends. Librarians are
hailed for embracing new technology, and managing library spaces to support
innovation, creativity and do-it-yourself (DIY) activities; makerspaces are filled with
laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing machines, bike repair facilities, microcontrollers,
circuits, clay and porcelain (MoorefieId-Lang, 2014; Pryor, 2014). They are associated
with creating, building and crafting and getting hands-on experience in activities
ranging from woodworking, sewing and building computers to audio-recordings and
video editing (Balas, 2012). There are academic makerspaces (Pryor, 2014) and school
makerspaces (Daley and Child, 2015). Mobile “spaces”are taken to children in hospitals
(Anon, 2015). Overall the library and information science (LIS) literature is marked by
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 33 No. 4, 2015
pp. 519-525
©Emerald Group Publis hing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-09-2015-0092
Received 21 September 2015
Accepted 21 September 2015
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
519
What to make
of makerspaces
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