Implementing a digital media lab: Defining needs and planning for space and service

Abstract

The creation of digital content is increasingly expected in higher education for both students and faculty, but campus facilities supporting this work are often inaccessible to the community. By implementing digital media labs—spaces that house the technology to create digital content—academic libraries can position themselves to meet this need for their patrons. This article presents a case study of implementing a digital media lab at a mid-sized regional comprehensive university, the planning that went into it, the lessons learned, and how the experiences can inform other academic libraries interested in implementing a similar service.