Hack Your Library!
Megan E. Shulman, MLIS
Catalog and Reference Librarian
Jackson State Community College
To Hack:
To manage successfully
To write computer programs for enjoyment
To be successful (hack it)
To develop a shortcut for or make easier
Today’s Focus:
Space
Purpose
Collaboration
The LAUNCH Cycle & Leadership
Makerspaces
Evaluation
Space
Redefining the library space
Place vs. Space
Knowledge Spillovers
Create new questions
Space
Purpose
What are we trying to hack? Why?
Hackathon
Adelphi University case study
Purpose
 Hackathon (AKA Code Fest, Hack Day or Hack Fest):
“Hackathons provide a venue for self-expression and creativity
through technology. People with technical backgrounds come
together, form teams around a problem or idea, and collaboratively
code a unique solution from scratch—these generally take shape in
the form of websites, mobile apps, and robots” (medium.com)
Purpose
Purpose
Adelphi University 2015 Hackathon from “College & Research Libraries
News”
 New ideas for mobile app
 Increase outreach
 Improve library’s image
o Year and a half of planning
o Platform called Hacker League (https://mlh.io/)
o DevPost for management is recommended (https://devpost.com/)
Purpose
Adelphi Case Study Cont.
o Volunteers and judges are crucial: use departments like graphic
design, computer science, and educational technology
o Majority of funding came from provost’s office and internal funding
o Cool prizes: a smart watch and Amazon gift cards
o Free food is a drive: pizza, coffee, and snacks were provided
o Carefully schedule event
Purpose
Adelphia University Case Study Cont.
o Waiver for legal concerns signed prior to event
o Market event: website, banners, posters, tent signs for tables
o Winning team devised a group study scheduling tool
o Winning app became part of the university’s mobile app
Collaboration
 Find inside & outside sources of
collaboration
 The CO
 Hamilton College’s Digital
Humanities Initiative
 Jackson-Madison County Library
The LAUNCH Cycle & Leadership
Look, Listen, and Learn
Ask Lots of Questions
Understand the Problem or Process
Navigate Ideas
Create
Highlight What’s Working and Failing
Get ready to LAUNCH!
The LAUNCH Cycle & Leadership
Makerspaces
Makerspaces
“A makerspace is a place where students can gather to create,
invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and
materials.”
~Diana Rendina, Renovated Learning blogger
Makerspaces
 Jackson State Community College
 Jackson-Madison County Library
 Jackson Christian School
Evaluation
Demo-athons for Hackathons: Sense of Community
Science Fair
Focus on learning over profit
Give hacks a chance
Go back to the drawing board: Evaluate individual
components
References
Bogdanov, S., & Issac-Menard, R. (April 2016). Hack the Library: Organizing Adelphi
University’s First Hackathon. College & Research Libraries News, 177 (4), 180-183. Retrived
from http://crln.acrl.org
Gottfried, J. (2014). How to Judge a Hackathon-Finding the Chosen One. Retrieved from
http://news.mlh.io/how-to-judge-a-hackathon-finding-the-chosen-one-05-15-2014
Juliani, A.J. & Spencer, J. (2016). LAUNCH: Using Design Thinking To Boost Creativity And Bring
Out The Maker In Every Student. San Diego: CA: Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
Mathews, B., & Soistmann, L. A. (2016). Encoding Space: Shaping Environments That Unlock
Human Potential. Chicago, IL: American Association of College and Research Libraries.
YouTube Videos
 Leadership—Engage Your Team—Create a Culture of Engagement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZA94smSkQg
 Meet the Ideas Box: A Library/Media Center Ready in 20 Minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZA94smSkQg
 What’s a Hackathon?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCyFxcMsjnA&t=38s
 What is a Maker Space?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLEJLOB6fDw