An Academic Library Makerspace Responds to Covid-19: “Getting Through This” and Emerging Better Than Before

The Loyola Notre Dame Library’s makerspace, The Innovation Station, launched in 2017-18. After seeing nearly three years of dramatic growth both in terms of equipment use and in consultations, use of the Innovation Station came to a halt with the closing of the physical building due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Library’s Technology Services Unit, with partnership from colleagues in Access Services and Research & Instruction, developed a plan to safely reopen as much makerspace functionality as possibly in the fall, while also implementing procedures that limit the need for face to face interactions, encourage social distancing, promote virtual services, and facilitate the cleaning of touch points. These procedures include expanding virtual offerings, such as library chat, virtual chat, web-conferencing based class tours, and video tutorials. These virtual service points will prove to be invaluable, not only during the crisis, but post-crisis. The Innovation Station will emerge better than before.