UA Little Rock Library Vision Partners to Host Makerspace Prototype Event Aug. 27
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Ottenheimer Library is taking its first step toward building a vibrant, hands-on learning environment by hosting a makerspace prototype event on Aug. 27.
The event, organized by the Library Vision Partners (VPs), will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Ottenheimer Library.
Open to students, faculty, staff, and the public, the event will showcase interactive demos, creative tools, and collaborative spaces designed to inspire curiosity and innovation across all disciplines. Attendees will be invited to explore equipment like breadboards, drum pads, guitars, easels, and potentially even a 3D printer, while offering feedback that could shape a permanent makerspace on campus.
“We want to create a space where any student, regardless of major, can access tools that help them learn, create, and explore,” said Will Fausel, lead vision partner and an electrical and computer engineering major from Sherwood. “I joined because I saw an opportunity in the library to create a space to provide physical learning tools to students. The library is the perfect place to host this kind of space because it serves everyone.”
The idea of creating a makerspace in Ottenheimer Library, which has been dubbed the Trojan Quarry, is the result of months of research and planning by the Vision Partners team, a student advisory group that collaborates with library staff to enhance student success.
The student VPs include Fausel and vision partners Dominique Rivera, Ella Campbell, Eshaal Nadeem, Grayson Jackson, Khari Wiley, Marchello Burks, Tamara Scott, and Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu.
The team visited regional makerspaces, surveyed best practices, and consulted with experts to develop a campus-specific plan tailored to UA Little Rock’s unique student body.
“Hands-on learning tools shouldn’t be limited to specific departments,” said Ella Campbell, a geology and anthropology double major. “I joined the program because I wanted to learn more about what the library has to offer and be able to share that with the rest of the community.”
The event will feature live demonstrations, student-led activities, and giveaways. Visitors will be encouraged to fill out short surveys and participate in voting stations to share ideas and suggest items they’d like to see in a future campus makerspace. The Vision Partners will use this feedback to assess the feasibility, demand, and design of a permanent space in Ottenheimer Library.
“I’m a nontraditional student in music education, and what excites me most is creating a space where students from all disciplines can build community and connect,” said Val Bell-Ovwiomoriemu, a vision partner and music education major.
Support for the event comes from Ottenheimer Library and potential partners across campus, including academic departments and student organizations. The ultimate goal is to create a centralized space where students and employees can work on academic and/or personal projects with cross-disciplinary equipment and support.
“As one of the staff advisors for this program, I am incredibly excited to see this event come to life,” said Brandon Sollars, director of the Learning Commons. “The makerspace has a lot of potential, but what is great to see is the enthusiasm and hard work that the VPs have contributed to this initiative.”
The VPs also envision the UA Little Rock community being able to check out physical learning tools and kits, just like they would a library book, so they can learn new skills. They also plan for professors and registered student organizations to set up live demonstrations and free classes.
“This event is just the beginning,” Fausel said. “With enough support and feedback, we hope to make the Trojan Quarry a permanent fixture that empowers students to learn by doing.”
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend the prototype event on Aug. 27 and help shape the future of innovation at UA Little Rock. For more information, contact Sollars at [email protected] or 501-916-5897.