Make labs, not war: Rethinking library creative technology services through a critical making lens

Abstract

Libraries are increasingly building makerspaces and technology labs which are aimed at portraying them as innovative, progressive, and future-oriented to meet the changing need of a technology-centered society. The Auraria Library designed several spaces with these ideals in mind, yet after running them for several years, the authors have redesigned and re-prioritized its services, staffing, and values. Using critical making as a framework, the authors interrogate some of the implicit logic of library makerspaces that contributes to sexism and ableism and outline how libraries can create inclusive creative technology spaces and services that center people over technology.