Using the Framework

You can use the Outcomes Framework for Adult Participation in Public Library Making Activities when planning, operating, evaluating, and communicating about public library makerspaces. 

Operating

• Train staff to understand, recognize, and support the varying priorities of adult makers.
• Design programs, services, and spaces to support makers in achieving a broad range of outcomes.
• Support makerspace staff balancing the varying priorities of adult makers and the range of services, programs, and spaces needed to foster adult participation.

Resources

• Our free PLA webinar (recording, slide deck) introduces the outcomes framework and shares examples.
• This webinar can help you train staff in reference interviewing for makerspaces, digital media labs, and creative technology spaces.
• Library Makers hosts free discussion threads, online learning events, and resources.
• PLIX provides creative activities co-designed by public library professionals, MIT researchers, and PLIX learning designers, and a supportive online community.
• The Play Make Learn conference gathers makerspace staff for professional development and inspiration.
• The National Maker Collective hosts a Discord server and an in-person conference for networking and support.

Evaluating

• Select key outcomes to prioritize for evaluation activities, based on makers’ values and priorities
• Gather data to understand the extent to which prioritized outcomes are achieved.
• Identify the types of making and makers that are currently missing or not well served so you can better align programs and spaces with their values and priorities.

Resources

• Library Evaluation 101 videos introduce evaluation planning, ethics, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• The Reflect & Refine section of the Makers in the Library toolkit includes sample interview questions that address different key outcomes.
• The Observation Deck toolkit includes frameworks that address the Developing Knowledge and Skills outcome.

Communicating

• Communicate the complexity of makerspace services and participation to library leaders, boards, and funders.
• Refine marketing and advocacy messaging to communicate the broad range of outcomes adults seek and realize in public library makerspaces.  

Resources

• The Amplify & Grow section of the Makers in the Library toolkit can help you prepare an elevator speech and funding-raising letters.
• The National Forum to Advance and Connect Library Makerspaces provides free advocacy materials for advancing library makerspaces.