Navigating ethical challenges in academic library makerspaces

Melo, Marijel

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/106540 Copy

Description

Title

Navigating ethical challenges in academic library makerspaces

Author(s)

Melo, Marijel

Issue Date

2020-03-23

Keyword(s)

• Participatory culture
• Academic libraries
• Information ethics
• Makerspaces

Abstract

This poster presentation outlines a pilot study that examined how U.S. academic library makerspaces navigate ethical uncertainty. The typical configuration of a makerspace includes technologies such as 3D printers, VR/AR, laser cutters, circuitry supplies, and hand tools. These technologies, like libraries, are not neutral and bring a host of ethical considerations that makerspaces professionals are presently grappling with. In particular, makerspace staff members are often unsure how to navigate an ethically fraught situation (e.g. whether to 3D print a gun). As such, this exploratory study analyzes the responses from information professionals who oversee an academic library makerspace within a university system (the system is comprised of 17 institutions). The scope of the responses, prompted by qualitative methods: survey and interviews, focused on the training and written policies present within each of the makerspaces in the study. The poster presentation will extend an environmental scan of ethical uncertainty prominent within academic library makerspaces, and will offer a nascent framework for training and development approaches for makerspace leadership and staff.

Publisher

iSchools

Series/Report Name or Number

iConference 2020 Proceedings

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/106540

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Marijel (Maggie) Melo

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