Executive Summary

Measuring the Impact and Value of Makerspaces in Public Libraries

Full White Paper in PDF Format

Citation: Knox, E., Koh, K., & Zalot, A. (2022). Measuring the Impact and Value of Makerspaces in Public Libraries [White paper]. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Information Sciences. https://hdl.handle.net/2142/116311

This exploratory project provides the tools needed for the development of an initial framework and future toolkit for measuring the impact and value of public library makerspaces in the lives of users and the communities that libraries serve. For the purposes of this framework, impact refers to the effect on the lives of stakeholders. Value centers on how makerspaces have helped libraries achieve excellence as organizations and partners for effective community development. 

The study utilized focus groups at three library sites located in the midwest around a major metropolitan city with the intention of soliciting responses from library patrons and staff about their perceptions of their library’s makerspace. The University of Illinois Institutional Review Board approved the research protocols for this study for both adults and minors. Both users and non-users of the library were participants and research questions centered on the perception of makerspaces. 

There were several common themes relating to the impact and value of makerspaces on stakeholders, including general library patrons, users of the makerspace, and staff. Themes relating to impact included an increased creativity due to the emotional safety to try new things, an increased sense of community, and the accessibility of tools and services. Themes related to the value of the library for achieving access included broadening of the public library’s mission, changes in perceptions of the library, more frequent use of the library, and increased pride in the library. Participants also discussed challenges related to the value and impact that a makerspace might have. These challenges included the ability of makerspaces to adapt to change, visibility and awareness of the spaces, and audience issues including a lack of clarity regarding the intended patrons of the spaces.

The framework for the toolkit includes five factors for evaluation based on the findings from the focus groups: policy statements, audience, access, training, and marketing/communication.