Lots of libraries provide physical spaces for people to engage and experiment with new and emerging technologies. But there are lots of different ways to create welcoming, accessible spaces for this kind of hands-on learning and experimentation.
Following on from our recent post on online experiential learning in libraries, here are 5 different examples of experiential learning happening in libraries across the globe.
1. Makerspaces (nextgen)
Makerspaces in libraries have continued to evolve, leading the way in the development of experiential learning spaces. Although they may sometimes fall under different names, makerspaces have been pioneers in this area. They are not just the spaces set aside in libraries for access to digital making technologies, but they also support collaborative and constructionist (learning by actively making things) provision in its many forms.
Over the years, we have witnessed the emergence of many different approaches and iterations of the library makerspace, often far different from the original concept. Whatever form they take, the most successful makerspaces are the ones driven by the needs of their users, not by the technology itself.
Oodi’s Urban Workshop is probably the flagship nextgen makerspace, a “DIY culture space open to all”. Sure, the equipment list is impressive (including but not limited to 3D-printers, electronics workstations, laser cutters, media workstations, sewing machines, UV printers and more). But it’s more the ethos and provision of the space that invites you to come and realise your ideas!.
Make-a-thek, an EU-funded project, takes the concept of the makerspace and makes it into a modular version focusing on fashion and crafts. And there’s also a bus involved.
Stellenbosch University Library has both a makerspace and an Immersive Technology Lab, a space where students and researchers can “visualise data, evaluate designs and explore new approaches to teaching, learning and interdisciplinary research”.
Craft, Play, Share at Multiplo Centro Culturale Cavriago in Italy is another kind of collaborative, creative space that draws from the makerspace concept.
And I like that this Curtin University makerspace includes The Sanctuary, a “tranquil space to recharge and reset, located in the heart of the Makerspace”.
2. AI Labs
Libraries are also taking on a leading role in the education and support of rapidly developing AI technologies in university libraries, public libraries, health libraries and more.
Some libraries are providing both spaces and opportunities for people to experiment and learn about AI tools and technologies in safe and supportive environments. These spaces come in different forms including the AI Creative Lab (Penn State University, US), AI studio (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries) and AI Literacy for U at Hong Kong University Library (nb, they also have an Idea Corner which is something that we hope catches on at more libraries).
Some of these are more conceptual, but others are in the form of spaces or programmes available via libraries. And the new kinds of imagination labs that are now emerging seem like a natural progress of makerspaces, as the emerging technologies change, the need for spaces to experiment and learn about it remains.
It will be interesting to see how these align or intertwine with other kinds of data and tech lab provision or what impact it will have on information and media literacy support services in the future.
3. Hands-on exhibitions
Long gone are the days of ‘Please don’t touch’. Well, ok, sometimes please don’t touch is still the case. But other times, touching, directly engaging with collections is encouraged. For example, The Source, an experiential gallery at the Library of Congress, encourages children and teens to get hands-on with their exhibits in order to better learn about their collections.
UNSW Library’s Exhibitions programme is another example of taking a different approach to exhibits. It includes an experiential learning program, “a hands-on, object-based learning initiative designed to develop critical literacy, analytical, and interpretive skills”.
Hackathons and library labs are another innovative way libraries provide access to collections. These events encourage participants to engage with collection data in new and interesting ways. The National Library of Wales, for example, hosts an annual hack day to encourage experimentation and exploration of its collections.
4. Playing Games with Information Literacy
Just like digital literacy, information and media literacy learning is increasingly using experiential approaches. This may be in the form of collaborations with faculty or with the students themselves. Or it may be in the design of the information literacy support itself. As well as having clear learning benefits, experiential learning can be more engaging too.
A frequent example in this field is the use of games and play in learning.
The CILIP Information Literacy Group ran a Game-based Learning Event for Information Literacy Teaching and WebJunction has recently published a post about The power of games and play in media and information literacy.
Games are just one example of using playful and often scenario-based approaches to teaching the information and media skills learners need today.
5. Staff learning
It’s not just public-facing learning in libraries that uses experiential approaches. Staff training and support is also increasingly adopting more hands-on, experimental learning to help staff gain the skills and knowledge needed in their work.
Some examples of new approaches to upskilling staff include these “Lunchbox conversations” at the State Library of Queensland, which are short, accessible and practical. Digital Scholarship Training Programme at the British Library is another great example of informal, accessible learning for staff (and includes their Hack & Yacks that we’ve discussed previously).
We also love this green initiative: The Carbon Literacy for Libraries Shareable Course, interactive morning sessions organised by National Library of Scotland.
These are just some of the many examples of experiential learning in libraries that we’ve encountered. And as you can see, they often overlap, in both the content of the learning (new and emerging technologies, creativity) and the spaces of experiential learning in libraries.
If you’ve got any examples of experiential learning in libraries you’d like to share, please get in touch.