Structuring the Unstructured: Plan Your Library Makerspace with Instructional Design

Abstract

As makerspaces continue to spread to academic, public, and school libraries nationwide, many librarians wonder how to start and successfully maintain such a project. Deciding to create a makerspace can raise many questions and challenges regarding equipment, training, staffing, and so on. Although the style of learning that takes place in makerspaces is intentionally less structured than in a formal classroom setting, instructional design principles can still be invaluable in developing and sustaining a maker learning environment.