For years, predictions about the “death of the library” have circulated: declining book circulation, tightening budgets, and the rise of internet search over research desks. However, that narrative misses what’s truly happening on the ground. Libraries aren’t vanishing. Many are transforming into something new: a library makerspace, where the collection sits alongside 3D printers, recording studios, cameras, and other equipment patrons can check out and use hands-on.

From Collection to Creation

Instead of only lending books, more libraries are lending capability: the tools, technology, and space patrons need to build, record, and create. That shift shows up clearly in the numbers. According to the Public Library Association’s most recent technology survey of over 1,500 U.S. libraries, nearly half of public libraries now offer devices like hotspots for checkout, about a quarter maintain digital media production equipment, and roughly 40% have dedicated maker production equipment on hand.

Academic libraries are seeing the same growth on the ground: Thompson Rivers University’s library makerspace logged over 19,000 visitors between May 2024 and April 2025 alone, with usage climbing every year since it opened.

What’s Actually Inside a Library Makerspace

Ask a librarian what “the collection” means today, and equipment is increasingly part of the answer. Common library makerspace tools now include:

  • 3D printers and 3D scanners
  • Laser cutters and vinyl cutters
  • Recording studios and podcasting equipment
  • Cameras, green screens, and video production gear
  • Sewing machines and traditional arts-and-crafts tools

These spaces aren’t limited to public libraries, either. Academic library makerspaces have become common enough that they show up in engineering departments, art programs, and increasingly in fields like journalism, health sciences, and business.

The Operational Challenge Behind the Trend

A library makerspace looks straightforward from the patron side: walk in, reserve a tool, use it, return it. Behind the scenes, it’s a different story. Unlike books, makerspace equipment often requires training, certification, or supervision before a patron can safely use it — a 3D printer or laser cutter carries real risk that a paperback doesn’t.

That’s exactly the kind of problem WebCheckout’s Makerspaces solution is built to solve. Its Certifications Module restricts access to specialized tools so only patrons with verified training or completed coursework can reserve them, with expiration dates and supporting documentation attached to each certification. On the maintenance side, WebCheckout’s Repair and Preventative Maintenance Module automates equipment tracking so tools stay in working condition between checkouts.

Why This Matters for the Future of Libraries

The library makerspace trend suggests libraries aren’t fading, but redefining what “access” means. Instead of only lending information, libraries increasingly lend capability: the tools people need to build, record, prototype, and create, often at a cost far lower than buying that equipment individually.

For libraries considering or expanding a makerspace, the software behind it matters as much as the equipment itself. Talk to our team to see how WebCheckout can help your library manage certifications, reservations, and equipment upkeep as your makerspace grows.