University of Illinois Chicago

The University of Illinois Chicago will research the need for public libraries to evaluate adult making activities and use the findings to improve library services by better leveraging new and emerging makerspace technologies to address the public’s information and education needs. Project results will include a toolkit to help public libraries to assess the extent to which making activities support adult makers in meeting their individual goals, identify and reduce barriers to engagement, and evaluate participation. The project will also provide nationwide training for libraries on using the toolkit and produce documentation of adult making outcomes and engagement across the U.S., along with dissemination to both practitioner and scholarly audiences.