Facilitators and Obstacles in Establishing Makerspaces in Public Libraries

Library as an organization needs creativity and innovation to eliminate stagnation. One of the latest concepts raised in the field of helping to create innovative ideas in libraries, which somehow guarantees the presence and participation of users in library processes, is Makerspaces. 'Makerspaces' in libraries is a relatively recent phenomenon - a natural adjunct that crosses disciplinary boundaries of educational innovation, integration of formal and informal learning, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (stem) outreach and engagement. Combined with the Arts (steam), the overlapping interests can drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the supported communities. Therefore, this research investigates the facilitating and inhibiting factors of implementing Makerspaces in public libraries.

This is a qualitative study. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data, and a content analysis method was applied to analyze the data. Purposeful sampling was used in the study. Fourteen librarians were willing to take part in the interview process. The saturation of themes was well reached among the 14 participants. The interviewees were 14 managers and librarians of public libraries who had initial familiarity with the makerspaces in libraries. The themes and questions of the interview were extracted by reviewing the texts related to the implementation of makerspaces in libraries and information centers. The interviews were used to gain feedback regarding the makerspace locations in each library. Interviews were digitally audiotaped and transcribed.

Results were organized into thematic codes. The findings showed that the knowledge and recognition of facilitating factors (managerial, technological, and human factors) and inhibiting factors (intra-organizational and extra-organizational factors) by managers and librarians had a significant impact on the use of Makerspace in public libraries. Furthurmore, the results indicated that each facilitating factors, as well as inhibiting parameters, had some sub-categories.

Motivated by curiosity and supported by the library resources, the acquisition of 21st century skills ranging from information, media, and technology skills to innovation, life, and career skills are a natural outcome of engagement with the library materials. Since public libraries need changes and use new approaches to maintain their dynamism, they should look for mechanisms to implement such changes. One of the factors that can help the dynamics of public libraries is the Makerspace. Identifying the facilitating and inhibiting factors in this direction can inform the policymakers, library managers, and librarians of public libraries about various aspects of the implementation of Makerspaces. Therefore, they can make rational decisions in line with such spaces.