A Complete Guide to Creative Technology Spaces in Academic Libraries: Media Labs, Makerspaces, and More

This title will be available Summer 2025. You may place an order and the item will be shipped when it becomes available. 

Detailing how to start a creative space from scratch as well as how to develop or adjust an existing service to follow best practices, this guide will walk you through all the essential steps of developing, building, and running those spaces and services.

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. This guide is here to help. Addressing considerations such as physical location, computers and devices, tools, equipment, and staff, it covers

• 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.