{"id":35,"date":"2026-09-11T22:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T22:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/sophmagophlibrarian\/?p=35"},"modified":"2026-09-12T12:45:02","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T12:45:02","slug":"assignment-x-participatory-services-how-active-and-engaged-communities-shape-our-libraries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu\/sophmagophlibrarian\/2026\/09\/11\/assignment-x-participatory-services-how-active-and-engaged-communities-shape-our-libraries\/","title":{"rendered":"Assignment X; Participatory Services: How Active and Engaged Communities Shape Our Libraries"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Introduction: <\/b><\/span>One area that greatly resonated within the hyperlinked library realm thus far is the concept of libraries employing participatory service to foster connectedness, value, and trust with their users. According to Dr. Stephens (2012) there are three parts to this idea; engaging users to add library services, offering the chance for users to plan with libraries, and offering a mechanism for evaluation. Allowing the users to be more involved with their libraries, gives them a greater sense of ownership within their own communities. In addition, this model further instills the idea that libraries and information professionals are facilitators in promoting lifelong learning for themselves and their patrons. As libraries shift well beyond mere book collections, and are being transformed further into informational community hubs and maker spaces, allowing this kind of culture for participation and creation is vastly intriguing and appealing to the community. At the end of the day, the utmost goal of the library is to best serve and connect with its users, along with meeting their dynamic informational wants and needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What better way for this to occur other than having the users be involved with this integral process throughout? Their feedback is invaluable and has the capacity to better mold ideal everyday practices, programming, and services that the library is able to offer. An excellent remark I appreciated from his presentation; \u201cAnytime we talk about technology, we\u2019re not really talking about technology, we\u2019re talking about how we can connect to our users, how we can connect to our users on a level of the human heart\u201d (Stephens, 2012). How can we take this idea to the next level? What are deeper, more meaningful ways we can connect heart to heart through our libraries?<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Stephens further asserts the importance of engagement from his <\/span>Heart of Librarianship <\/span><\/i>book in stating; \u201cBuilding collections and seeking ways to engage the public and promote curiosity challenge us all\u2026The era of participatory culture demands that cultural and information professionals play an active, visible role in our communities\u201d (2016). Esteemed fellow librarian Michael Casey also succinctly suggests that \u201cthe importance of this participation cannot be overstated\u201d (2011).\u00a0 There are a plethora of techniques to engage the public through this model yet I shall share a handful of meaningful highlights below.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

*Note feel free to check out Dr. Stephen\u2019s iconic lecture\u00a0<\/a>here. Fun fact: this lecture greatly inspired me to take this course.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>ACCESS ACCESS (be all about it): <\/b><\/span>One major requirement for user engagement is that the library needs to be chock full of a variety of desirable, innovative, interesting, and engaging materials and resources. This ranges from cutting edge useful technologies, to diverse, inclusive digital and physical collections, unique programming, and if possible incorporating maker spaces or learning commons (more on that below) that are appealing and valuable to community members. Innovative solutions capitalizing on this motif showcased in the module are tremendous examples of libraries providing robust experiences and\/or access to a collection of assorted useful things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, some of the neat free things the San Francisco Library can provide includes; seasonal exhibits, free passes to local museums and other amazing places (such as gardens, galleries, and even swimming pools), vehicle passes to CA state parks, access to vinyl, and even family and genealogy research (Ferrell, 2022). The popular trend of libraries providing access to a repertoire of an incredible yet versatile \u201ccollection of things\u201d continues to grow. Toy and game libraries are becoming more widely available across the country (Free, 2020) , along with libraries offering access to things that range from \u201cpopcorn makers to ukuleles\u201d (Rivenberg, 2022).\u00a0 I look forward to witnessing further where this trend will continue to evolve and the imaginative ideas and solutions community members and their libraries develop henceforth. Here\u2019s another rad article<\/a> highlighting 200 random things that aren\u2019t books that users can check out for free from the Beaverton City Library in Oregon (Glum, 2019).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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(Community gardens from Muncie Public Library in Indiana)<\/span><\/p>\n

Innovative Maker Spaces and Learning Commons\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

It is remarkable to witness the numerous institutions that are creatively embracing this movement when it comes to converting libraries into maker spaces and learning commons. Observing the creativity, innovation, and participation from the communities and libraries in building these beloved yet multi functional spaces has been awe inspiring to say the very least. It is genuinely amazing to see what some of these organizations have done by listening to their patrons in providing appealing spaces, tools, and events for them to connect, learn, and enjoy. Having this adaptability and capability further allows libraries to possess tremendous value amongst the competitive internet sphere, rampant cafes, and bustling bookspaces within our modern society. These 3rd space community centers are inviting informational hubs that are catalysts for LEARNING for our users. I loved the examples provided within our modules. It was incredible to see San Francisco Public Library create \u201cThe Mix\u201d program (Obrien, 2019) and spaces specifically designed for their teen populations along with Dokk1, the main library in Aarhus, Denmark. This massive library is a multifunctional learning commons and cultural hub, featuring maker spaces, inventive workshops and exciting local events, engaging community areas, and much more. They even have a cafe, various spaces for entertainers, and engaging playgrounds for all to enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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(The Makery, makerspace in Cal State San Marcos Library)<\/span><\/p>\n

In researching makespaces, I discovered the Maker[Space] Ship which was created by the San Jose Public Library. This was an initiative developed and executed by our very own San Jose State University MLIS grad Erin Berman. Check out the brief video below, it is a splendid\u00a0 mobile makerspace with a variety of interesting programs, promoting access to patrons beyond library walls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n