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Establishing a maker culture beyond the makerspace

Karen Beavers (Wilson Library, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA)
Jennifer Esteron Cady (Wilson Library, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA)
Amy Jiang (Wilson Library, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA)
Liberty McCoy (Wilson Library, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA)

Library Hi Tech

ISSN: 0737-8831

Article publication date: 31 May 2019

Issue publication date: 12 June 2019

1480

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of fostering a maker culture in a liberal arts university. It explores the impact of making on student learning and engagement, as well as the role of the library’s maker program.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a case study that presents the tools and activities used in an academic library’s maker program. Structured interviews were conducted with faculty, staff and students to review the program and maker culture influence on campus.

Findings

Findings highlight the library’s role in supporting maker culture on a liberal arts campus and address ways making contributes to student engagement and learning. Interviewees also recommend strategies to increase awareness and market the library’s maker program to engage a wider community.

Originality/value

Though there are many articles written about the maker movement and libraries, this study contributes to the growing body of research on makerspaces in higher education, with particular focus on a library at a liberal arts university.

Keywords

Citation

Beavers, K., Cady, J.E., Jiang, A. and McCoy, L. (2019), "Establishing a maker culture beyond the makerspace", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 215-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-07-2018-0088

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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