Welcome!
Invitation to participate in an IMLS-funded study about makerspaces for youth with disabilities (site observation and interview)
We are a research team, Dr. June Abbas, Dr. Yong Ju Jung, and Moses Munyao from the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma. We are conducting an IMLS-funded research project on public library makerspaces and maker programs for youth with disabilities.
You are receiving this message because your library is known to provide good makerspace services and maker programs and you might have previously participated in the survey or interview with us. In Phase 2, we will visit exemplary libraries (total 7) across the country, and we invite your library (makerspace) to participate in this phase. During the visit, we will observe your makerspace and other tools, observe 1-3 maker programs with youth with disabilities (based on your schedule), and interview makerspace staff (30-45 min). Also, with your and your library’s help, we will interview youth patrons who have disabilities and their parents or caregivers. Participating libraries will each receive compensation of $500, and interview participants will each receive a e-giftcard of $20.
These visits will be helpful for us to determine best practices, challenges, and opportunities for youth with disabilities in public library makerspaces and maker programs. We plan to present the results of the survey at a future ALA or PLA conference and to share insights learned widely on social media and our project website (https://makingforall.oucreate.com/).
Please respond to this email if you are interested in participating in this research. We want to learn from you and your library (makerspace) about how your libraries are meeting this critical social need with youth with disabilities!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Yong Ju Jung at yongju@ou.edu
Thank you for considering this invitation.
Dr. June Abbas, Dr. Yong Ju Jung, and Moses Munyao
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services IMLS # LG-252323-OLS-22. “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.”
