Innovation-oriented makerspaces in academic libraries: A systematic literature review

Makerspaces in academic libraries are increasingly recognized for fostering innovation and creativity in higher education. However, the research domain lacks a comprehensive examination of their role in advancing organizational innovation. This study addresses this gap by conducting a systematic literature review, analyzing 47 carefully selected papers from a pool of 3537 publications focused on academic library makerspaces. The review highlights key themes and methodologies in existing research, with a special focus on the functions, services, and collaborative innovation aspects of these spaces. The study advocates expanding research on innovation-centered makerspaces in academic libraries to better understand their current state, thereby enriching the scholarly literature and guiding future research. The review provides a foundational understanding of the research landscape surrounding academic library makerspaces. It reveals that these spaces serve multiple roles, such as exploration and training hub for emerging technologies, cultivation and research incubation center for innovative literacy, innovation platform, component of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and acting as space arrangements, guidance with new technologies, teaching and services design, consultation on entrepreneurship and intellectual property rights. Additionally, the research explores key collaborative innovation factors within these spaces, including governance, compactness, reliability, and institutionalization. By consolidating various themes and evaluating the current state of research, this study offers a comprehensive insight into the innovative roles, services, and collaborative innovation dynamics within academic library makerspaces as emerging innovation centers. It introduces a theoretical framework to investigate ongoing research, aiming to improve collaborative innovation efficiency in these spaces.