UDo to Idea Studio

Medium blue painted room with desk with PCs on left side and two computers on right for public.

Maring-Hunt's Makerspace

Muncie Public Library has always recognized the need to stay up-to-date and even ahead of the curve when it comes to new technologies and innovations. So, when the concept of the makerspace began gaining steam in the early 2010s, MPL embraced the idea and developed their own called UDo @ Maring-Hunt, which opened on April 16, 2014 during National Library Week. For those who may not be familiar with makerspaces, they are “place-based collectives where individuals learn through socialization, tinker with technology, develop skills, and pool technical resources” (Shrock quoted in Wong, p. 34). The new area included 3-D printers, programs for design work, a color copier/scanner, tablets, and a Mac for editing photos and video.

In the forefront is desk with monitor while in the background is a desk with computer and the 3D printer.

Muncie Public Library’s new UDo @ Maring-Hunt when it opened during National Library Week (MPL Archives, 04-17-2014).

A woman and two children look over the new 3D printer in the UDo Center at Maring-Hunt Library.

Cindy Evans and her children Lydia and Diana look over the 3D printer during the open house for the area (Star Press, 04-17-2014, p. 4A)

Libraries are about community, connections, and access, and UDo @ Maring-Hunt hoped to provide that while inspiring creativity, especially among young people who came to the library to do their homework. Despite the fact that MPL already had a technology center in the form of Connection Corner, former MPL Director Ginny Nilles recognized the need for more access in other areas of Muncie. At the time, the library hoped to expand the same offerings to Kennedy sometime in the future.

3D printed T-rex and short, squat person wearing helmet and holding a club and shield.

Close-up of the 3D printer and some examples of what it can do (Star Press, 04-15-2014, p. 3A; Star Press, 12-02-2015, p. 3A)

Name Changes

Throughout the years this department of the library existed, it underwent a few name changes and added new offerings. In 2015, Maring-Hunt Library had a refresh in order to expand its service offerings, and the name of the UDo Center changed to the Maker Loft as it was moved to the second floor of the library. In the latter half of 2017, the name changed again to Idea Studio since it was imagined as a space for people to create and turn their ideas into reality. By that time, the space had added a poster printer, a recording studio, and graphic design software and offered one-on-one tech assistance.

A partially built snowman made of white plastic cups sits between Hannah and Melissa Young. One woman is kneeling on the floor to the left while the other woman is seated, holding a stack of plastic cups and putting one on the snowman.

Hannah Smith and Melissa Young build a snowman made of plastic cups during Maker Monday in Maring-Hunt’s Maker Loft (Star Press, 12-02-2015, 3A).

A young customer sits at a table wearing headphones and playing music on the keyboard in front of her. She is recording a song.

A patron tries out the recording studio in the Idea Studio (MPL Archives, 2018).

Tech Tutor

A woman wearing a mask sits at a desk with a PC. Spenser Querry to her right shows the woman how to do something on the computer.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States full force and caused everything to shut down for a time, including libraries. For Idea Studio, the pandemic greatly affected attendance of in-person programming and events, so the space again rebranded into Tech Tutor and moved downstairs to accommodate the expansion of MPL’s educational initiatives (more here on that). Tech Tutor in addition to Connection Corner still offers the same services while also providing one-on-one help in learning how to use these technologies.

MPL employee Spenser Querry helps a patron with their tech needs (MPL Archives, 2021)

Sources

Gibson, Robin. (04-15-2014). “Maring-Hunt Library Adds New Tech Section.” Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

“Maker Monday at Maring-Hunt Library.” (12-02-2015). Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

MPL Archives. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Ohlenkamp. Corey. (04/17/2014). “UDo @ Maring-Hunt.” Star Press. Carnegie Library. Muncie Public Library.

Wong, Tracy. “Makerspaces Take Libraries By Storm.” Library Media Connection (May/June 2013): 34-35.

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