UTA Libraries Blazes Trail with Maker Literacies

Five years after the opening of the FabLab, UTA Libraries is paving the way for makerspaces across the country.

Makerspaces like the FabLab and the sound studio in the Architecture and Fine Arts Library are designed to provide creative spaces for students, faculty and staff to explore new ways of making. This includes everything from 3D printing to embroidery to woodwork to sound mixing—all of which articulate a set of transferable skills.

“UTA Libraries aims to provide resources for students—no matter how unconventional—and encourage other academic libraries to follow suit,” said Rebecca Bichel, Dean of UTA Libraries. “Our makerspaces are innovative and reimagine what a library can be, and we hope to continue to grow in our own understanding of the library’s role on campus.”

Gretchen Trkay, Department Head of Libraries’ Department of Experiential Learning and Undergraduate Success (ELUS), says maker literacies don’t seem like an obvious area of interest for traditional library settings, but libraries are perfect for makerspaces.

“One of the most important things we do as a library is empower students to create,” Trkay said. “That’s what’s going to be expected from them once they move on from UTA, so we want to equip them so that they feel confident in their abilities and attain skills that will help them be successful.”

The FabLab and ELUS are being recognized nationally for their work—they were recently awarded more than $240,000 in grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

In the first phase of this grant, UTA Libraries will work with nine institutions, including the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, to improve rubrics used to assess student learning through maker assignments (and help those partner institutions to develop new curriculum for those courses, if needed). In the second phase of the grant, UTA, UNR and UMA will be focusing on training librarians and makerspace staff so that they are better equipped to collaborate with faculty on curriculum design and assessment that incorporates the makerspace.

“The projects we develop with our faculty partners give students practical experience with the situations they are likely to face once they enter the workforce,” said Katie Peery, Director of the FabLab. “Once a student graduates, they may never use these specific tools again. However, they will need to work with people who think differently than them and take on tasks that require time and practice to master—all skills they can learn through making.”

ELUS and the FabLab are just beginning the work on this grant, and hope to continue to receive funding to maintain the momentum around this project once this three-year grant cycle wraps up.