Managing a physical makerspace is uniquely challenging, in part because it is a different type of organization than an academic library and a different type of space to operate. Preparing required something librarians are particularly good at: research.
Lemieux Library leadership conducted scans of academic spaces at other Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) institutions and at institutional peers in partnership with Seattle University Facilities staff and other campus colleagues. A day-long hack-a-thon was organized for library and information professionals and higher education “maker” professionals, including representatives from Seattle University, Stanford and the University of Washington. Focused on one goal—charting a course for a successful Lemieux Library managed makerspace—participants considered how to best set up for success the Billodue…