Nagle, SarahSarah Naglehttp://hdl.handle.net/2374.MIA/66662024-03-29T10:03:47Z2024-03-29T10:03:47ZGrowing Together: Legitimizing creativity through cross-departmental collaborationCalabrese, CaraNagle, SarahStepanova, Mashahttp://hdl.handle.net/2374.MIA/68822023-02-17T18:49:20ZGrowing Together: Legitimizing creativity through cross-departmental collaboration
Calabrese, Cara; Nagle, Sarah; Stepanova, Masha
Technical Services (TS) Staff have been interested in learning more about other departments and using the tools the library has to offer, but can lack the freedom to engage during their scheduled hours. TS has scheduled quite a few meet & greets and departments have been invited to TS meetings to share what their teams are working on. Unfortunately this has not fulfilled the goal of connecting TS staff to their colleagues across the library. So we took another approach by reaching out to the department we are closest to physically. The TS librarians spoke to Creation & Innovation Services Librarian, who routinely develops programming and classes to engage and empower patrons to use their space. Our idea was to plan necessary, but potentially mundane work interspersed with training on Makerspace tools. We wanted to empower our staff to engage with the space and their colleagues, bring the department closer together, & generally improve TS work. As a by-product we could facilitate increased buy-in for the Makerspace and their work. Through this collaboration we were able to reorganize internal documentation ahead of a new hire’s arrival and start a cyclical review process for our procedures. We will discuss best practices for developing maker-related staff enrichment opportunities. This type of alternative training involving creative activities is beneficial by bridging the divide between departments and building a culture of creativity.
Planning your Technical Services Retreat: Have fun and get stuff done!Calabrese, CaraNagle, Sarahhttp://hdl.handle.net/2374.MIA/68812023-02-17T18:46:15ZPlanning your Technical Services Retreat: Have fun and get stuff done!
Calabrese, Cara; Nagle, Sarah
The Technical Services (TS) Librarians were looking for ways to support staff’s professional development and growth. They hit on the idea of a TS Retreat and began research and planning. Initial research showed that retreats can be places to work out change in a positive way and that interspersing work with creative activities and movement led to better outcomes. The project started by celebrating the TS staff and accomplishments. Then the librarians partnered with the library Makerspace to bring some creativity to the process. Staff gained new skills and TS has been able to grow more together.
Creating Inclusive MakerspacesNagle, Sarahhttp://hdl.handle.net/2374.MIA/68772023-02-06T19:58:51ZCreating Inclusive Makerspaces
Nagle, Sarah
As more universities embrace makerspaces as catalysts for creativity and innovation, the higher education community has the opportunity to address issues of inclusivity and intentionally create spaces that encourage participation from all. Simply having a physical space that is open to all is not enough to ensure that our makerspaces are the inclusive spaces that we want them to be. There are a host of reasons that students might feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in a makerspace. Ethnicity & race, religion, gender identity, socioeconomic status, age, ability level, mental health or countless other parts of identity may play a part in a person’s comfort level in a space. We must actively work to embrace diverse makers and to create inclusive spaces. In this presentation, we explore the history of diversity in the maker movement and discuss ways to work against historic inequalities and create environments that empower all members of our communities to become makers and all makers to realize their creative potential.
Demonstrating Impact of Library Makerspaces: Examples and Future DirectionsNagle, SarahKouse, Carahttp://hdl.handle.net/2374.MIA/68762023-02-06T19:54:12ZDemonstrating Impact of Library Makerspaces: Examples and Future Directions
Nagle, Sarah; Kouse, Cara
A common challenge for library makerspace organizers is demonstrating the value and impact of makerspaces to administrators, patrons, communities, and even other library staff. The value of makerspaces can be difficult to articulate through usage statistics or other traditional forms of library assessment. While many libraries have developed their own methods of assessment and reporting, no overarching methods for assessing library makerspaces exist. In this session, two makerspace librarians describe some current efforts to demonstrate the impact of library makerspaces. Finally, attendees will participate in a collaborative brainstorming session to discuss alternative methods and best practices of demonstrating impact to their communities and stakeholders. Since we’ll be meeting virtually, we’ll use a digital collaboration tool (e.g. Lino or Padlet) that will allow attendees to brainstorm together by sharing thoughts and ideas.