Defining success for a public library makerspace: Implications of participant-defined, individualized evaluative criteria

• Published in: Library & information science research 2020-10, Vol.42 (4), p.101053, Article 101053
• Main Author: Teasdale, Rebecca M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Makerspaces; Public libraries; Public services
• ISSN: 0740-8188; 1873-1848
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2020.101053

Public libraries are increasingly investing in makerspaces and seeking to evaluate their offerings. Defining success is the first step of the evaluation process yet proves difficult due to the heterogeneity of making participants and purposes and the individualized, self-directed nature of makerspace participation. This study identified and compared seven evaluative criteria that represented participants' and library definitions of success for one public library makerspace. Findings revealed that at least one criterion drawn from library objectives was relevant for each participant in the sample, yet none of the seven criteria was relevant for every participant. In an evaluation, drawing criteria exclusively from library objectives and/or applying criteria uniformly could underestimate the benefits of the makerspace. Drawing criteria from both library and participant perspectives and using individualized criteria that vary across the population could yield an assessment that reflects the breadth of purposes and benefits associated with the makerspace. •Selecting evaluative criteria for public library makerspaces is difficult due to heterogeneity of participants and purposes.•Drawing criteria from both the library and participants reflects a broader array of benefits than library objectives alone.•Use of individualized criteria that vary across the population could capture variation in purposes and benefits.