Going through this module’s selected readings and resources was quite a feat, as there were a lot of intriguing new ideas and information that caught my eye. That said, for this blog post, I decided to go back to the concept of the ‘modern’ library — that is, the evolution of libraries from mere repositories of books with the archetypical ‘shushing librarian’ to the ‘unquiet library’, as denoted by one of the readings in this module. The unquiet library, which can often be characterized by collaborative, interactive spaces like makerspaces which encourage connection and all the decidedly unquiet conversation that comes with it is, to me, a perfect example of the hyperlinked library model in action.
The hyperlinked library model is one that emphasizes participatory learning and collaboration, with an emphasis on the users — thus creating a two-way stream of interaction between libraries and their community. A hyperlinked library doesn’t want to be that authoritative ‘shushing librarian’ who just imparts changes with little input from those it’s trying to serve. It wants to work with its community on a more equal playing field, assessing their needs and the changing world around us in the hopes of creating a space that can encompass as many people and meet as many needs as possible.
This is where makerspaces can come in. Makerspaces, which are modeled after and get their name from hackerspaces, are “collaborative learning environments where people come together to share materials and learn new skills” (Hamilton, 2012). They provide opportunities for people to “explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials, and develop creative projects” (Hamilton, 2012). Inherently, makerspaces are thoroughly enmeshed with participatory learning — which is a key tenet of the hyperlinked library. The activities that makerspaces often have encourage participatory learning behaviors such as “tinkering, collaborative learning, play, conversations for learning, intergenerational learning, experimentation, inquiry, the act of creation, and problem solving” (Hamilton, 2012). It’s pretty difficult to be a passive consumer of hands-on activities like this. There’s always at least a little bit of participatory learning and engagement involved.
This shift, according to some, is due to the increasing shift towards and growing efficiency of technology. According to one library coordinator, “Back in the day, people were information seekers and consumers . . . Now, information is easier to come by so people want to create … something” (Luster, 2018). While I don’t necessarily agree that people are no longer information seekers and consumers at the library, I see their point. Google and other search engines are certainly a competitor to the reference services that libraries provide, and so it has been imperative for libraries of all types to reevaluate their position in the 21st century and work to adapt with the times.
Makerspaces are one such solution. Aside from providing patrons with the chance to engage with and learn both from and alongside one other, makerspaces are all about equitable access — like all services at the library. Primarily, the public library which has been a particular interest and focus of mine throughout the LIS program thus far. According to some, “public libraries should move away from being ‘houses of knowledge’ and move more towards being ‘houses of access'” (Pew Research Center, 2014). This, too, is something that makerspaces and libraries as a whole can and often do provide. For example, within makerspaces like the teen-exclusive ‘The Mix’ at the San Francisco Public Library, the library’s teen patrons have access to two music production studios, a variety of craft-related technology (like 3D printers, sewing machines and Cricuts), and even video game consoles, including VR headsets (San Francisco Public Library, n.d.). Providing the opportunity to use technology like this not only meets the needs and curiosities of patrons, but can also help bridge the gap of access. 3D printers, for example, are not (at least, in my opinion) at a state yet where they are ubiquitous in most people’s homes. Thus, providing access to technology like this is one way to draw more patrons to the library — sometimes even ones who may not have shown up to the library before this.
Overall, I think the important thing is for libraries to look optimistically at the future and the inevitable technological and societal changes it will bring about. Embracing technology, or at least showing a curiosity to work with and alongside it, is something that I believe libraries must be prepared to do if they wish to remain a constant, vital community presence. They must consider shifting their focus from primarily books to more of a focus on human needs (Moreheart, 2016). And if the needs of its patrons are changing, then so too should the library if it wishes to be “both the third place and . . . a community gathering point that looks to the future” (Moreheart, 2016).
References:
Hamilton, B.J. (2012, June 28). Makerspaces, participatory learning, and libraries [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/makerspaces-participatory-learning-and-libraries/
Luster, S. (2018, July 29). Reinvented school libraries unleash student creativity. NEA Today. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/reinvented-school-libraries-unleash-student-creativity
Moreheart, P. (2016, August 17). Moving beyond the “Third Place”. American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/library-design-moving-beyond-third-place/
Pew Research Center. (2014, July 9). Public libraries and technology: From “houses of knowledge” to “houses of access”. http://pewresearch.org/internet/2014/07/09/public-libraries-and-technology-from-houses-of-knowledge-to-houses-of-access/
San Francisco Public Library. (n.d.). The Mix at SFPL. https://sfpl.org/teens/the-mix
The_Mix_Doorway_1 [Photograph]. (n.d.). Demco Ideas & Inspiration. https://ideas.demco.com/blog/virtual-tour-the-mix-san-francisco-public-library-teen-space/#The%20Mix_Doorway_1
The_Mix_Interactive_Wall_2 [Photograph]. (n.d.). Demco Ideas & Inspiration. https://ideas.demco.com/blog/virtual-tour-the-mix-san-francisco-public-library-teen-space/#The%20Mix_Interactive%20Wall_2
Hi Ramasha, excellent job on your post. Like you discussed in you post, modern libraries provide people to access to more than just books, but also tools/resources to create and discover new skills and hobbies. Something my local library recently adopted was a Library of Things catalog (https://www.saclibrary.org/Books-Media/Specialty-Checkouts/Library-of-Things). It enables patrons to reserve special items with their library card like go-pros, home/yard equipment, and even musical instruments. I think the more we create makerspaces in our public libraries the more communities can learn and engage with the library on a deeper level.
Love this!! The library I work at has monthly Art Walks that include live music in the library. It’s so fun & brings in new users to the library. We have a study booth, so there’s still a quiet option for patrons who need it.
@ramasha Such a fun compendium of good ideas for what’s possible in the library space. Your emphasis on creation is a good one and that definition to me in 2025 seems so much more broader than it did a decade ago. We will see examples of libraries offering space to create all types of things as we move through the course.