Making a Case for Makerspaces

Abstract

Libraries strive to create and foster a collaborative learning environment for various types of learners. To fulfill this mission, libraries need to include a space that engages users and gives them opportunities to use technologies that they would not normally have access to. This need is further emphasized by the advancements in technology in local and international communities, universities, and workplaces. A solution to this growing problem is the implementation of a makerspace. A makerspace is not set to one single definition but in the simplest terms, it is a space where people have the opportunity to explore, invent, and learn. There are several skills that can be introduced and honed through a makerspace, including but not limited to: the collaboration and fostering of unique ideas and relationships, to become well acquainted with the intricacies of concept and design, to utilize critical thinking skills and ingenuity to solve problems, and to recognize what it takes for a concept to go from a draft to a finished product, all while catering to different learning styles and needs while bridging the STEM and humanities fields. Most importantly, this will allow library patrons to change from consumers to creators while utilizing both the physical and virtual world. This alone will provide them with a skill set that is highly sought by those in the professional and academic world(s), ensuring that they will be an asset to our local communities and beyond.