Abstract:

School libraries have historically been a leading source for information-seeking individuals. The customary role of the library has not changed; the school library provides a multitude of resources from which students gather and discover information. However, with the increasing accessibility of technology, as well as the ideological shift from an instructivist approach to constructivism, the school library is developing into a space to meet the needs of today’s learners. How can libraries continue to be relevant and attractive to patrons with the onset of online information and databases? How can libraries better prepare today’s students to compete with the best innovators, thinkers, and problem solvers in the world? The answer is makerspaces. Makerspaces offer exactly what the name implies, a place for students to make a variety of products. The maker movement is sweeping the learning community in both school and public library/community settings with immense success and provides an opportunity to positively transform the traditional library into a place that empowers learners as they research, draft, create, collaborate and problem solve. School media centers can reap the benefits of integrated technological advances within the center to support a challenging curriculum aligned with national and state local standards. The purpose of this paper will explore how to develop makerspaces within the school library and its educational benefits.

Keywords:

School libraries, makerspaces, school librarians.