Creating Makerspaces in Nigerian Public Libraries as a Strategy for Attaining National Integration and Development

1. Introduction

Right from early centuries till now, libraries have played key roles in ensuring the development of societies and its citizens. Beyond the provision of information resources, libraries have been seen as key educational institutions that facilitate the building of national wealth through the creation and sustaining of access to crucial information. The library, and especially the public library, has been identified as the hub for knowledge creation, processing, dissemination and storage. Libraries are long standing development partners that provide cost effective alternatives. Many countries have designated libraries as UN depositories, making them an important venue for information about the UN and the SDGs. In fact, “libraries support many aspects of the UN 2030 Agenda’s vision and the SDGs. Libraries are key public institutions that have a vital role to play in development at every level of society” (IFLA, 2015).

As the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) stated in its report on Public libraries: “Access to information is a basic right that people must have for human development and Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the driver of the information economy. It contributes meaningfully to knowledge management; allowing seamless communication of information and intelligence; foster increased access to information and enhances faster retrieval and dissemination of information. For Nigeria to be a key player in this global economy, ICT facilities should be effectively and efficiently deployed.” (LRCN report, n.d.)

Libraries were originally designed to serve the local community by providing something that individuals didn’t otherwise have access to and couldn’t afford to amass on their own: a deep library of books and access to a wider universe of information. The public library does this more effectively because its mandate is more inclusive than other types of libraries. As defined by Nwokocha (1993) a public library is a library established to serve the generality of the residents of the community or town where it is located. It must be noted that one of the traditional roles of the public library in any given society is facilitating the creation of knowledge in our communities. Promoting literacy through instruction has long been a part of the librarian’s job.

Today, the concept of literacy encompasses much more than just reading and writing; it has evolved into “transliteracy,” commonly defined as the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms and tools. As new technologies emerge, library patrons should naturally turn to libraries and librarians for instruction in the use of new technologies, for help and troubleshooting, and in some cases as their only means of access to those technologies. In fact, with the advent of the internet, most of the book based resources in the library are now at much of the community’s fingertips. Therefore, for public libraries to meet the needs of the 21^st century and to remain relevant, they must respond correctly to technological advancement and emerging concepts of information service delivery (Eze, 2013).

Today, the greatest thing that library users need but do not have access to is no longer just not books and magazines–but desktop fabrication and prototyping tools and the needed training on how to use them. New technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, 3D scanning etc are generally too expensive for most individuals to afford, and many have no idea how to use them. It is therefore a crucial time for libraries to retool as makerspaces to provide these tools and training to the community.

If a makerspace is, in the words of Fayetteville (New York) Free Library’s Transliteracy Development Director, Britton “a place where people come together to create and collaborate, to share resources, knowledge, and stuff,” then the public library is a natural setting for such a space (Scott, 2012). A makerspace by design is a place for cross-fertilization of ideas and creation of things (Ginsberg, 2015). Although the term ‘Makerspace’ did not appear until 2005, the core idea and technology behind it had existed in various forms over the past decade (Cavalcanti, 2013). As Cavalcanti (2013), explained, a makerspace is simply a space for making things with shared technological tools, and “the original goal of the space …is to democratize the act of making something from scratch as well as (whatever it may be) – not repurposing what already exists”.

Most Public libraries in developed countries have long seen the nexus between the public library and makerspaces. In most cases, public library spaces have been redefined as makerspaces in a bid to meet the emerging need to for a space for creativity and innovation coupled with access to new technologies. In promoting the idea of makerspaces in Nigerian public libraries, a lot must be done in the area of creating awareness and changing the service concept perception of Nigerian librarians. Okpala (2016) while making a case for makerspaces in Nigerian university libraries noted the need to change the current thinking of librarians in Nigeria.

Some public libraries in developed countries now provide public access computers and instruction to support information literacy. A makerspace is, in a sense, a new stage in the evolution of the library computer lab. Hence, our job now becomes providing access to new technologies and instruction to support new literacies (Scott, 2012).

As development partners, public libraries must be empowered to perform their duties. And for Nigerian public libraries to fulfil this mandate especially as it relates to national integration and development, it must retool its methods, rethink its strategies and redefine its service concept to include the creation of makerspaces. Branwyn (2016) captured this when he said that “the role of a public library should also adapt over time, and that time is finally here. It’s time to plan how we’re going to build the future and what place public libraries have, should or won’t have”.

A lot is changing in this century. Existing walls of knowledge division are falling quite fast. Several institutions are changing their roles to remain relevant. The library cannot afford to stay with the same old flag. The library must move, change roles, and redefine its space to retain its relevance. In fact, the library users are getting so advanced with new technologies that any librarian who chooses to spend so much time sitting behind his desk will soon raise his head to see a crowd of library users who are working without the librarian, that is, if they decided to use the library at all. In order to meet the changing needs of library users there are several new things the library must do, one of those is to introduce or create a MAKERSPACE in the library.

It is based on this that this paper has been written to explore the Makerspaces in Nigerian public libraries as a strategy for attaining national integration and development.

2. Concept and Role of Public Libraries

Public libraries are referred to as the gateway of knowledge. They serve the entire populace in a community regardless of nationality, race, colour, age, sex, status, educational achievements or language. It is run by the government and maintained out of public funds. Dr. S.R.Ranganathan in his ‘Model Public Libraries Act’ defined the public library as any library established and or maintained by a local library authority, including the travelling libraries and service stations; any library, open to the public free of charge and maintained and managed by the Government or by any local body, and any library notified by the Government as public library (Raman Nair, 1996). In addition, Nwokocha (2004) defined public library as being established to serve the generality of the residents of the community or town where it is located. Compared to other libraries it has about the most heterogeneous clientele as there is no restriction as to who can use it. The major function of public libraries in Nigeria is to provide information through books, newspapers, magazines, journals, audio-visual, etc. to users with their diverse needs in mind. They also provide an avenue for recreation and relaxation.

More so, public libraries are regarded as agencies that promote and enhance education and at the same time eliminate illiteracy among people. In this same vein, Onwubiko (2004) suggests that public libraries provide materials in wide range of subjects to cater for all levels of demand. These materials range from reference, continuing education down to recreation. In otherwords, they provide materials for specialized reference and research, co-ordinate programs for continuing education and sponsor cultural and recreational events. In addition, Ode and Omokoro (2007) agreed that public libraries assist at developing learning skills among the children, youths and adults, as they play a part in encouraging positive use of the leisure and providing materials for change and relaxations.

Public libraries provide variety of library resources that meet the needs of its clientele. Their resources range from print materials such as booking monographs, reference materials, periodicals/serials like magazines and newspapers to non-print which include audio visuals, multi-media, microfiche, films, slides and microforms etc. To support this, Halsey (2006) asserts that library resources should not only include traditional print-on-paper media like books, journals, newspapers etc., but also audio visual materials like records, audio cassettes, projectors, art reproductions, maps, photographs, microfiches, and electronic information resources (EIR) like CD-ROM, computer software, online databases, internet, e books, e-journals and other media. On the other hand, public libraries are expected to provide relevant and timely services that will satisfy users.

In this fast growing era of technology, the public libraries and the internet are means of accessing information. Presently in Nigeria, a large number of materials are acquired and most of them are not accessible due to policies on ground, arrangement of information resources and the methods of dissemination and retrieval. This implies that most of these acquired materials are not properly accessed. Access to information entails that access to all library and information sources no matter the format, should be made available to users. The public libraries have an important role to play in this regard.

The role of public libraries should also be seen in the development of the society and its citizens. Public libraries should be able to reach out to the rural areas just as it is done in the developed world. They are required to help in facilitating the planning and implementation of learning programmes to clients like farmers and market women. This will equip them with the necessary skills to enable them succeed in a changing society. The economic role played by the public library in the views of Nwosu and Ogbomo (2010) will be dependent on the access to information because national development is very much influenced by the amount of available information.

The role of public libraries as a place for people to equip themselves with skills pertaining to information technology skills is an important aspect in capacity building. The public library promotes information literacy by providing and organizing training programmes for both the librarians and the library user to encourage lifelong learning. Public libraries should provide training of the citizens in information technology application and utilization as it relates to e-library, e-commerce, and e-governance and e- health.

Public libraries can equally play the role of combating HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases. According to UNAIDS WHO (2008), Africa had the highest records of HIV/AIDs afflictions. This was as a result of ignorance and unbelief of the danger of the disease and also the various myths associated with these diseases that were believed by people. Public libraries can make use of audio-visual materials and move to communities especially the rural areas and sensitize them on these diseases. These diseases can be avoided through the provision of relevant information, especially in their native language. This is supported by Heymann cited in Ugwuoke (2011) who asserts that illness and deaths from infectious diseases can generally be avoided at an affordable price which is through relevant information.

Children need the library for lifelong education in consonance with the national education policy. In some parts of Nigeria in the views of Usoro and Usanga (2007), children especially those from rural areas or economically disadvantaged backgrounds, first meet books in school, and have limited access to books in the home and community. Reaching out to these children through public library services is essential for universal basic education to succeed. Public libraries in Nigeria are expected to extend library services to nomadic populations, remote communities, rural primary schools, and day care centers. According to Correa cited in Ebiwolate (2010) the library is “the place where teachers and pupils come into contact with the world, that is, where they acquire the general knowledge which forms the basis for all further learning.

3. Current state of public libraries in Nigeria

A report on the state of public libraries in Nigeria by LRCN (n.d.) revealed that there are 316 Public Libraries in Nigeria with 598 qualified Librarians. In general, many of the libraries lack the necessary ICT facilities to provide quality service delivery in the information society. The council recommended that ICT facilities should be made available in public libraries and that librarians should be adequately trained to enable them use the facilities. This will increase traffic in public libraries which is the “people’s university”. The rural populace will also benefit as most of them do not have the purchasing power to have these ICT facilities in their homes.

Furthermore, Emojoroh (2005) conducted a study on the roles and effectiveness of public libraries in nation building in Nigeria and found that Nigerian public libraries are performing poorly in most aspects due to appalling resources. Omekwu (2006) also observed that Nigerian libraries are mainly without functional web access. The connection of ICT platforms to libraries, archives, museums, rural areas and educational institutions are virtually not available. With the emergence of Information and communication technology, the means of accessing information also changed as many users go to the library to have internet access. The public libraries are positioned to provide and promote access to information which will translate to development of the society.

Interestingly, public libraries in developed countries perform the same functions of public libraries in Nigeria but with some difference which include postal services for citizens living in remote farm houses, support integration through library events like family outreach organized in public libraries, establishment and provision of library and information services to potential users such as prisoners, hospital patients and the handicapped. But in Nigerian scenario, the case is different as seen in the problems of inadequate funding, unskilled staff, outdated and irrelevant resources of the public libraries, lack of recognition and nonchalant attitude on the part of government to know the importance of libraries as it relates to economic, social, educational and national development of the country.

4. Makerspaces in Public Libraries: the “Other Room” for Library Users

Makerspaces are a natural fit for libraries, providing an alternative way to deliver services and programs to their communities. The idea of a collaborative studio space for creative endeavours has caught hold in education where the informal combination of laboratory, shop, and conference room form a compelling argument for learning through hands-on exploration (Ejikeme & Okpala, 2016). As asserted by Goener (2015), Makerspaces are a natural evolution for libraries where users are allowed to tinker with technologies in order to be creative. Maker spaces are any area where people gather to make and create. These spaces often include 3D printers and other technologies, but do not necessarily have to. In makerspaces, people share supplies, skills, and ideas, and often work together on projects. For libraries, maker spaces deliver another way for community members to access information, and encourage social and creative engagement with the library, each other, and technology. Makerspaces help libraries remain relevant by allowing them to reinvent and market themselves as leading-edge, and to demonstrate their relevance in their users’ lives, by offering pathways to economically valuable skills, civic engagement, and other goals that may be more important than the ‘making’ itself.

Many libraries in developed countries have well–developed makerspace programs and facilities already in place. For example, The Edge, State Library of Queensland, Library at the Dock, Victoria, Cambridge Public Library, Western Australia, which focuses on paper crafts, knitting, crocheting and painting and Parkes Shire Library, New South Wales, which holds fantastic creative children’s programs. In the same vein, public libraries in Nigeria need to imbibe these activities and endeavour to create spaces for various purposes, such as advanced study places, artists’ studios, film studios, recording facilities, chat rooms, artistic expression, poetry readings, etc.

5. Conclusion

Libraries are going through a renaissance, both in terms of the social infrastructure they provide and in terms of a diversification of the services and experiences offered. In corporate environments they are playing an increasingly important role in the provision of collaborate workspace and innovation. In communities they are evolving into hubs for education, health, entertainment and work. Apparently, the availability of makerspace in public libraries will help to elevate the sustainable development goal four on quality education which is aimed at ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong opportunities for all (Henshaw, 2016).

In order to attain national integration and development, government should aspire to build a progressive library services, championing the development of creative spaces and makerspace programmes in public libraries. Public libraries are also encouraged to be at community hub for digital engagement, exploration and skill development that aspires innovation and entrepreneurship, which will greatly promote national integration and development, providing a valuable and capacity building resource for communities. In addition, the researchers suggested that the government should consider makerspace in libraries a welcome development and support public libraries to empower our communities by providing tools, materials, equipment and technologies needful in makerspaces. This will foster the development of citizens interpersonal, communication, teamwork, leadership and mentoring skills. Therefore, all the stakeholders of national integration which include teachers, families, librarians, the media, religious bodies, government, etc. must actively participate in this call to action.

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