Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Library Makerspaces

Born after a fire and during a pandemic, the Sunderland Foundation Innovation Lab marks its third anniversary this summer. We celebrate each day as an opportunity to inspire creativity, facilitate learning, and spark joy among our campus and community visitors. Planning for a two-story lab in the main library began years before our slow opening; some spaces remain under construction.

In this session we’ll describe decision-making for innovation spaces and talk about how community involvement shapes our offerings. Our innovation lab has spaces designed to promote academic innovation and community engagement. Equipment and tools are selected based on community need, equity, and accessibility. Join us in a conversation about the future of communal innovation spaces and their role in libraries.

Speakers: Jeff Sheldon and Carol Sevin, K-State Libraries