Libraries have always had a special place in my heart. As an elementary school student, I always remember weekly trips to that magical place where our class would peruse the Caldecott Medal-winning authors, attempt to understand the Dewey Decimal System, and sign out books that lined up with our interests. Unfortunately, our librarians failed to fully realize the life lessons that could be extracted from The Far Side comic collections, but nevertheless, I found a way to thrive.
As the years went by, those leather bound walls became nothing more than a backdrop for flashy multimedia devices. Entire volumes of encyclopedias were reduced to a CD-ROM. Librarians went from stamping books to stamping hall passes, so students in study hall could access computers in order to keep up on the latest sports news, celebrity gossip, or spend 40 or so minutes toiling with the latest games that Shockwave had to offer. I believe it was Bob Dylan who once said, “the times, they are a-changin’.”
This is why I found it refreshing to learn about the concept of a makerspace. In what I would describe as a conscious move toward reclaiming these hallowed grounds, libraries are finding new meaning in the face of a digital world. Much like the public utilization of fire halls for banquets and receptions, libraries are adapting to the needs of the public by embracing the inevitability of change.
While the articles primarily focus on application of makerspaces within school libraries, we see such tactics being similarly implemented in corporate entities across the world. The emergence of War Rooms, which are designated areas that have been established to carry out a specific goal, are often employed to bring key players across all departments into one location to brainstorm, analyze, and ultimately implement an idea or product. Not only does this provide an opportunity for team building, but it also facilitates questioning through the merging of several different interests and perspectives.
Much like Colleen Graves outfitted a conference room for small group collaboration, these areas provide a more intimate environment vs. the learning commons which can facilitate a much larger audience. These nimble structures allow for increased participation through the ability to conform to particular tasks at hand. The colorful description of interactive spaces adorned with movable furniture, whiteboard walls, and chalk-top surfaces; reminded me of offices at Facebook or Google. Much like the ideas wrought from such entities are meant to change with the times, this same approach is now being routinely applied to the workspace.
Along with the allusion to co-working, these communal domains can play host to makerspaces catered to specific applications, such as fab labs and hackerspaces. Tod Colgrove highlights the versatility of these spaces, in that they can allow for the potential integration of technology, therefore having the ability to unite satellite locations from across the street or across the globe. Even the role of the librarian is changing, as a diverse repository of knowledge must now be called upon, in order to facilitate the dynamic needs of these movers and shakers makers.
The extension of makerspaces to public libraries, is an especially exciting concept. Often relying on funding from local taxes, fundraising, and donations from private parties, these seemingly archaic institutions seem to have a chance at survival, and an opportunity to make a legitimate comeback. Though the emphasis may have shifted away from “print literacy”, I feel that Carolyn Foote said it best, “we are about understanding the world we live in literacy”.
Thanks @Zach!
I think Carolyn Foote’s quote resonated with our whole group 🙂
The design of these spaces really stood out to me, and the “Field of Dreams” reference seems to apply. Thinking about this more, I am reminded of “gifted classes”, where kids would get a chance to work on special projects in a bean bag-filled room. Unlike makerspaces however, participation was regulated by the educators, allowing only a select few participants who were deemed “capable”.
In hindsight, this was an exclusionary practice. By not opening these opportunities up to learners of all levels, it negatively reinforced that students were different. There is also an implied nomenclature given to those who do not belong, for if one student is gifted – all others are not.
Makerspaces have the potential to break down these walls, by providing equal opportunities across the board, and allowing students to develop at their own pace.
“Haha, I just mentioned to Joe that we all referenced the “world we live in literacy,” quote. Good stuff!” I totally agree and in addition to my comment I also wrote this in my blog! Lol
Aaron, great post. Your walk down memory lane of how libraries have changed and shifted with time was wonderful and spot on—oh, that Dewey Decimal System! I see that you also pointed out Carolyn Foote’s quote about shifting away from “print literacy”, and now we “we are about understanding the world we live in” literacy. I do agree that makerspaces could be the key to libraries survival in the future. And great reference to flashy walls and colorful rooms and comparing them to Facebook and Google offices. I definitely thought of this too when reading about how these makerspaces are being designed to be “cool” and “hip”. If you build it, they will come.
Thanks @Sam!
Very excellent point on learning the structures for makerspaces in preparation for the workplace. This whole concept, especially after reading everybody else’s posts, has me wondering how this could be implemented on a wide scale.
In a way, I feel like the corporate structures, due to presence of a motivating factor, could be deconstructed to apply to higher education, working its way down to younger learners. On the other hand, in your example, I see it being even more beneficial to the younger audience, who can refine this way of thinking over time and change the system as they progress.
Haha, I just mentioned to Joe that we all referenced the “world we live in literacy,” quote. Good stuff!
Thanks @Joe!
Agreed on CD-ROM, as it was a standalone device that didn’t require an internet connection – just a new form of delivery. I noticed that in every one of our groups posts, we referred to the “world we live in literacy,” I found that this summed up the evolution of today’s library perfectly.
Aaron,
I like how you point out the libraries adaptation to the needs of the public by embracing change.
War Rooms-this was new to me, thanks for sharing (I just spent 10+min looking at office pics :). This also related the experience the learners will practice to the workplace which is important and also for the experts who may be invited in. It’s interesting to think about how much went into providing so many resources in an organized way and I’m happy that technology not only allows for resource availability but also frees up the space to “understand the world we live in literacy”.
Aaron,
I like your description of how your libraries evolved when you were younger. As I remember it, CD-ROMs were exciting, but ultimately a little bit of a letdown, especially when compared to what I was used to seeing with computer games. With CD-ROM technology, the evolution of library materials didn’t seem impactful; although I was not widely read in high school, in terms of library sciences. Nor am I now really, but this week’s readings helped.