DESIGNING ONLINE SUPPORT GUIDES FOR LIBRARIANS MANAGING STEM MAKER ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Libraries are increasingly offering activities and programs that engage youth in science, technology, engineering, and math-rich "Making." However, many librarians do not have access to necessary training, resources, or relevant content knowledge to help implement these kinds of Maker programs. This article describes a design-based research project in which we first engaged in sustained contextual inquiry to better understand the work practices of school and public librarians in small town and rural libraries and their perceptions of implementing Maker activities. Findings informed the design of online instructional guides to help librarians learn to implement informal beginner-level Maker programming and activities for youth. We describe three genres of online instructional guides and the design guidelines that inform them. We also describe our process for testing online guide utility and usability.