Karim Boughida
Dean of University Libraries
University of Rhode Island
Brian Jepson
Acquisitions Editor
O’Reilly Media
Brian Mathews
Associate Dean for Learning & Outreach, Libraries
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Carl Grant
Associate Dean of Knowledge Services & Chief Technology Officer, Libraries
University of Oklahoma
Angelica Ferria
Curator, Libraries
University of Rhode Island
Deborah Mongeau
Professor & Chair, Public Services, Libraries
University of Rhode Island
The maker movement has existed for some years now and almost every makerspace implementation brings its own unique twist to that movement. It is now growing into a larger movement that includes Virtual Reality, The Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, big data, digital scholarship centers, and biology, along with those topics typically associated with makerspaces (digital fabrication, programming, craft, and electronics). These spaces enable the users to express themselves creatively (curriculum-based or not) and to be innovative. Instead of sharing traditional technical details, we are sharing four different stories on how the new makerspaces (or what we may call “Concept or Think Spaces”) are making a difference in academic and community settings, and how colleges, universities, and non-profits see the maker culture and makerspaces playing a key role in shaping the new campus strategic directions. Particularly, equity, diversity and inclusivity will be key components in the narratives.
Panel moderated by Karim Boughida.