Media labs, makerspaces, and creative technology spaces in academic libraries

CHICAGO — Beyond the loaning of laptops and phone chargers, libraries are branching out into supporting patrons by providing spaces and services that encourage art, communication, and innovation. Perhaps you’ve been tasked with building such a space in your academic library. It might be a media studio, a virtual reality lab, or even a combination space that has a podcasting suite, equipment circulation, 3D printing, and a computer lab. Or maybe you’ve been doing this for awhile; you know it’s time to expand, but you’re not quite sure which direction to take or what equipment you need. “A Complete Guide to Creative Technology Spaces in Academic Libraries: Media Labs, Makerspaces, and More,” published by ALA Editions in collaboration with Core Publishing, is here to help. Addressing considerations such as physical location, computers and devices, tools, equipment, and staff, authors Emily Thompson, Vanessa Rodriguez, Eric Johnson, Kelsey Sheaffer, and Oscar K. Keyes cover:

• the various specialized creative technology resources that in some unique combination make up creative spaces, such as recording studios, makerspaces, gaming labs, extended reality studios, data labs, and more;
• how to develop a new space and build on or expand an existing space, with sections on advocacy, taking stock of existing institutional resources, scouting potential patrons and allies, forming a clear vision and mission for your creative space, and budgeting and funding;
• accessibility best practices in creative technology spaces;
• essential requirements for a creative technology space, such as layout, power, and safety;
• common elements like the service point, classroom, computer lab, staff area, and storage;
• guidance on the range of activities associated with circulating technology equipment;
• the nuts-and-bolts of running a creative technology space, from crafting policies and procedures to staff training, how to build a variety of instruction programs, and ways to sustain and adapt these spaces while managing expectations and resources; and
• advice on nurturing a community at your institution to support both your space and the people who work there.

Thompson (she/her) is an associate professor and the director of the Library Studio at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. At UTC, she manages the lab and a team of two faculty librarians, three full-time staff, and six student assistants.

Rodriguez (she/her) is a librarian associate professor at the University of Miami. As the head of the Creative Studio, she provides instruction to the UMiami community in multimedia software, hardware, copyright, design, and emerging technologies. She is the librarian liaison for the Interactive Media Department in the School of Communication; and she manages the library’s collection in that area, as well as the graphic novels collection and video games collection.

Johnson (he/him) is the head of the Creative Technologies and Scholarship department at Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries. He heads the department that created and oversees The Workshop, the multimedia studio and makerspace that opened in 2015. He was previously the head of outreach and public services in the Scholars’ Lab at the University of Virginia Library, and was a librarian at Thomas Jefferson’s historic home, Monticello.

Sheaffer (she/her) is an artist, librarian, and educator in rural New Hampshire. She works in education at Ithaka S+R, a library nonprofit, and previously worked as the creative technologies librarian and director of the Adobe Studio & Makerspace at Clemson University.

Keyes, PhD (he/him), is the multimedia teaching and learning librarian at Virginia Commonwealth University. He investigates how social issues can be critically scaffolded into technical instruction for various digital tools, such as image-editing software, game engines, and generative artificial intelligence. He has taught (new and old) media arts in various spaces, including higher education, K–12 schools, summer camps, community-based arts organizations, and detention centers.

The former Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), the Library Information Technology Association (LITA), and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) are now Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a new division of ALA. Its mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at editionsmarketing@ala.org.