Professionals Gather to Exchange Ideas at UTA Libraries’ ACTAL Conference

UTA Libraries’ impressive 18,000-square-foot makerspace will be showcased to professionals from academic libraries nationwide during this year’s Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries (ACTAL) Conference. The conference will take place from November 13 to 15 at the UTA Central Library. 

Attendees from across the country will explore our FabLab, Basement, and Studios. These spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art resources such as 3D printers, laser cutters, electric kiln, screen printers, sewing machines, a shop room, a gaming lab, and audio and visual studio spaces. 

Participants will also learn how these spaces are expertly managed by our dedicated team of 13 full-time staff members and 90 student workers, and how our cross-campus partnerships contribute to student success at UTA. 

Lauren Stutler, Director of Creative Spaces and Services (CSS), emphasized that the conference will highlight UTA Libraries’ significant contributions to a campus culture of experiential learning and the impact that the making process can have on student learning.  

“This conference is a significant opportunity for the Libraries and CSS. It will elevate our standing within the academic maker community,” Stutler said. “We get to highlight not just the scale of our operations but the robustness of our programs and all we offer to our students, faculty, and staff.” 

UTA Libraries has been a leader within the academic maker community since the creation of the FabLab in 2014; the first MIT-chartered Fab Lab in an academic library in Texas, the FabLab continued to trailblaze how creative technologies could add value to the student learning experience through the creation of Maker Literacies; these competencies have provided a mechanism for faculty to partner with Libraries staff to integrate use of these tools into their curriculum.  With the addition of the Studios and the Basement, CSS remains one of the largest academic library makerspaces in the country and is a large draw for conference participants.  

This year marks the first time the conference will be held in Texas after being hosted on the East Coast for the past two years. 

“While we were at the conference last year, it became evident we were the largest program there,” Stutler said. “So, they are very excited about seeing our space.” 

The ACTAL Conference aims to bring together individuals working in creative technologies within academic libraries, such as media labs, makerspaces, and visualization spaces. This gathering will provide professionals with a unique opportunity to exchange innovative ideas and ideate about how to enhance their own programs. 

UTA Libraries is thrilled to announce that Preston Ward, a UTA alum and chief pilot for the Sky Elements Drone Show, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Ward also leads Sky Elements in business development, training, communication, and operations. 

Sky Elements is renowned for performing drone shows nationwide, having appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and set a Guinness World Record at the “Deadpool and Wolverine” movie premiere. Ward will share his experiences and discuss how his time at UTA and the Libraries prepared him for a career in STEM. 

Conference attendees can participate in various breakout sessions covering AI usage, virtual production, experiential learning, and hands-on technology. These sessions are designed to offer practical insights and foster meaningful discussions. 

While the ACTAL Conference is primarily geared toward professionals in the field, students and Friends of the Library are also welcome to attend. Registration is $150 for professionals and Friends of the Library and $80 for students. For more information or to register, visit the ACTAL website.