Digital Media Labs in Public Libraries

Digital Media Labs

In Public Libraries

Introduction

Public libraries have long held a vital place in our communities as centers of learning and information.  These libraries have countless resources available for patrons, everything from books in numerous formats, DVDs, and music recordings.  Public libraries are also a major technology resource for patrons.  The public access computers and free wireless Internet access provided by public libraries provide many patrons with their only access to these technologies.  Another new resource that some public libraries are starting to offer are creative spaces.  One type of creative space is called a digital media lab (DML).  According to Goodman (2014), a DML is a gathering of equipment that allows original digital content to be created or analog content to be converted to digital formats. Jacobsen & Anthony (2011) define a digital media lab further, stating that “A digital media lab is a space designed for patrons to have access to software and hardware to create digital media—such as videos, music, podcasts, images, ebooks, websites, animation, and more.”  A DML may be a separate room in a library, or it may just be a cart bearing the equipment. 

Literature Review

Goodman (2014) writes that the earliest DML that she found was located at the Round Lake Area Public Library in Round Lake, Illinois. This digital lab was founded in the early 2000s.  Since then, more digital media labs have been created all across the county.  There does seem to be interest from patrons in this service.  A report from the Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project (2013) referred to a 2012 library services survey that contained questions regarding digital media labs.  In this survey, 58% of respondents said they would be interested in a digital media lab where patrons could create and upload new digital content.  26% say they would be “very likely” to use such a resource.  Interestingly, both Americans who do not have a computer and Americans who do own a tablet expressed particularly strong interest in this resource.  Results from the survey show that almost a third (32%) of people who do not own a desktop or laptop computer say they would be “very likely” to use a digital media lab, compared with 24% of those who do own a computer, and 33% of tablet users say they would be very likely to use it, compared with 24% of non-tablet owners.   

Use of DMLs in Public Libraries

Digital media labs are located in public libraries throughout the country.  The Fountaindale Public Library (FPL) in Bolingbrook, Illinois has one of the largest DMLs in the United States (Goodman, 2014).   Studio 300, the library’s DML, opened in March of 2013.  This DML has 6,800 square feet containing eleven rooms and workstations for printing 3-D objects and posters.   Studio 300 has six soundproof rooms used as recording studios by local musicians.  Besides music recordings, other sample projects include producing video and audio, creating e-books, and partnering with others locally or at a distance via the group collaboration rooms.

Other digital media labs have been created for a particular user group.  The Tulare County (California) Library has created a Teen Media Lab after winning a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.  The LSTA page of the American Library Association’s website can be found at http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/lsta.  This web page defines LSTA as the only federal program exclusively for libraries. State libraries use the funds to support statewide initiatives and also distribute the funds through subgrants or cooperative agreements to public, school, academic, research, and special libraries (ALA).  In 2011, this library won a $28,000 LSTA grant for a program titled, “Teen Vooks: Exposing Teens to Tools for Digital Creativity” (Goodman, 2014).  The program provided the funding to buy laptops, camcorders, and other digital tools, things that many of the teens in this area had no prior way to access.  This DML has been a huge success.  According to Goodman (2014), in the first six months, the number of teens accessing this equipment rose from 7 to 62 students for an increase of 886 percent. 

YOUmedia, another example focusing on teens, is a 5,500-square-foot space located on the first floor of the Harold Washington Library Center at the Chicago Public Library. The space opened in July 2009 and has served more than five thousand Chicago teenagers (Bannon, 2012).  Here students can check out laptops, cameras, music equipment, and more with their library cards.  In addition, teens can attend workshops and programs based around digital media.

 Potential Application in today’s library and information center

Goodman (2014) mentions that the library’s role in education and providing a public space is an important reason why a DML should be located at the library.  DMLs give public libraries the potential for growth.  By providing additional technology resources for people that may not be able to afford them otherwise, public libraries are providing yet another service to their patrons.  In addition, the library is providing opportunities for the community to learn digital literacy, a skill that is more and more needed as digital technology becomes more pervasive.

Challenges/Issues

Adding additional services and technologies does not come without a cost.  The Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project (2013) report mentioned that some librarians in their online panel expressed numerous concerns regarding digital media labs.  Some librarians mentioned staff time, technology resources, budget concerns, and space as primary areas of concern. Additionally, others mentioned liability issues related to user-created content.  Also, equipment will not only need to be purchased at the beginning of the project, but also funding will be needed for ongoing maintenance (Goodman, 2014).

Goodman (2014) does suggest some ideas to fund DMLs.  Some of these suggestions include applying for LSTA or other community or corporate grants, as well as some more creative sources of fundraising, such as enlisting the help of a celebrity and crowdfunding.

Conclusion

Digital Media Labs at public libraries can provide another needed and desired service to patrons.  It’s a service that the literature suggests has been successful when implemented.  DMLs are another example of public libraries providing technology resources to those that otherwise could not afford them.  The cost of purchasing equipment, creating space, and training staff are areas of concern.  Some libraries have utilized grants and other creative sources of funding to create and maintain their DMLs.  I would want to explore DMLs as a librarian in a public library as a way to better serve and educate my patrons, as well as to continue to grow the library’s services to remain relevant and forward-thinking.

References

Bannon, B. (2012). YOUmedia Chicago: Connecting Youth Through Public Libraries. National Civic Review, 101(4), 33.

Goodman, A. L. (2014). Chapter 1: The Library Context for Digital Media Labs. Library Technology Reports, 50(6), 5-15.

Goodman, A. L. (2014). Chapter 4: Library Digital Media Lab Profiles. Library Technology Reports, 50(6), 35-43.

Jacobsen, M., & Anthony, C. (2011). Build your own digital media lab. Library Journal, (18), 36-40.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).  Retrieved from

http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/lsta. 

Zickuhr, K., Rainie, L., & Purcell, K. (2013).  Library services in the digital age.  Pew Internet & American Life Project.  Available at http://libraries.pewinternet.org/files/legacy-pdf/PIP_Library%20services_Report.pdf.

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