There are multiple levels of current research being conducted about makerspaces from the field of Library Science, among others including education.
All of the sources below come from peer-reviewed journals. However, due to makerspaces recent popularity, not many scholarly articles have been published studying the effects and sustainability of these educational third places. Therefore, while it seems that makerspaces are constantly being discussed, they are not being researched, and as educators we need the data to support our claims that makerspace are linked to student success. So unfortunately, while there is not data on student success, there are multiple case studies being published (see below), and there is a plethora of practitioner articles that are also incredible resources for learning about the maker movement (click button below). Additionally, there are multiple studies currently being conducted like Agency by Design (see video left) that should be publishing their research soon. |
Current Makerspace Research
I have broken the research papers into various categories as seen below. Four major themes came from examining
peer reviewed research: library space, makers and education, patron accessibility, library equipment and technology, and
library staffing and support. Please keep in mind that research is constantly being published, and so this is static list.
If you are searching a database, like EBSCO, I highly suggest you use a boolean (AND/OR) and truncation, since every makerspace is unique there is not a standardization of subject headings. Try using "school librar*" OR "librar*" or "makerspace" OR "fablab" or even just "make" AND "space".
The papers below were found using the University of Rhode Island's library databases. URI is accessible to the public and members of the community can come and use the computers to find these resources. Some of these articles may also be found through the AskRI's EBSCO databases which are accessible to anyone in the state of Rhode Island.
peer reviewed research: library space, makers and education, patron accessibility, library equipment and technology, and
library staffing and support. Please keep in mind that research is constantly being published, and so this is static list.
If you are searching a database, like EBSCO, I highly suggest you use a boolean (AND/OR) and truncation, since every makerspace is unique there is not a standardization of subject headings. Try using "school librar*" OR "librar*" or "makerspace" OR "fablab" or even just "make" AND "space".
The papers below were found using the University of Rhode Island's library databases. URI is accessible to the public and members of the community can come and use the computers to find these resources. Some of these articles may also be found through the AskRI's EBSCO databases which are accessible to anyone in the state of Rhode Island.
Library Space
Patron Accessibility
|
Makers & Education
|
Library Equipment & Technology
|
Library Staffing & Support
|