Virtual Conference 2025

July 29-30, 2025

Hosted by Virginia Tech

The Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries (ACTAL) virtual conference committee is pleased to begin registration for our 2025 virtual conference. Registration for our virtual conference is free!

Please fill out our general registration form before registering for individual sessions, as we may need to make a few conference-wide announcements. Individual sessions are linked in the schedule below, and all ACTAL registration links are available on Virginia Tech University Libraries’ calendar.

general REgistration

Schedule

*Updated!* All times are in Eastern Daylight Time.

July 29, 2025

July 30, 2025

Session Information and Descriptions

July 29, 2025

Welcome Address and State of ACTAL

Description 

A quick welcome address to the conference from the Virtual Conference Committee, followed by a brief presentation about the Association of Creative Technologies in Academic Libraries (ACTAL). This session will provide an overview of the association and its creation and will include updates on recent developments, next steps, and ways to get involved.

Presenters

Amanda McCollom (ACTAL President, University of Delaware)

Vanessa Rodriguez (Vice President, University of Miami)

Kelsey Sheaffer (Treasurer, ITHAKA)

Eric Johnson (Secretary, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Jason Evans Groth (Board Member, University of Virginia)

Oscar Keyes (Board Member, Virginia Commonwealth University)

Jennifer Nichols (Board Member, University of Arizona)

Emily Thompson (Board Member, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)

ACTAL Potluck

Description 

Returning by popular demand, the ACTAL Potluck is an opportunity for all attendees to share and discuss the work they do with others at the conference. Several main “dishes” (or discussion topics) will be offered to connect attendees with similar ideas on their minds, before coming together as a whole conference to share all of the different ideas across the world of creative technologies in academic libraries.

Session 1a: Main Branch Library vs. Health Sciences Library: comparing and contrasting services and populations via data analysis

Presenters

Dayna Diamond, Multimedia Development Specialist, University of New Mexico

Christian Peshlakai, Emerging Technology Specialist, University of New Mexico

Description 

Data collection and analysis can be both challenging and extremely valuable. This would be a case study into two different libraries with two different spaces at the same institution (University of New Mexico). We would cover the types of data historically collected, any changes, and plans for change, with an overview of challenges in collecting data. Some anecdotal experiences may be included. Then, we would go over data analysis we have done, what we believe that data means, and how we respectively plan to use it to enhance our programs and user experience.

Session 1b: Digital Badging at your Library

Presenter 

Jess Barth, Emerging Multimedia Technologies Librarian at University of Delaware

Description

In Fall 2024, the University of Delaware Libraries, Museums and Press piloted a new digital badge initiative allowing faculty, students and staff to earn a micro-credential in digital storytelling with a focus on video creation. We designed a semester-long program to guide participants through planning, producing and editing their own short video, which provided a unique opportunity to support them through the entire creation process. This session will explore the structure of the digital badge program, the value of digital badging in higher education, and key takeaways from our pilot, including participant feedback and lessons learned for future iterations. 

Session 2a: Becoming the Supervisor of a Digital Design Studio: Do’s, Don’ts and Help

Presenter 

Joy DuBose, Director of Dr. Mrs. James T. Cook Library and Learning Center, Florida State University, Panama City

Description

The Digital Design Studio, located in the Robbins Center for Academic Excellence and Innovation, is a unique, maker space environment at Florida State University, Panama City. While the name is digital design studio or DDS, it is what many librarians would recognize as a maker space.  In this area students and faculty can request 3d printing, large format printing, Cricut work, and many other creative aspects that a traditional makerspace holds. While many makerspaces are run by faculty and staff with only a handful of student workers, the DDS is run primarily by students. Indeed, the DDS is defined as a “student space” and many students can be found hanging out in the space during downtime. There is even a contingent of Alienware computers for students to play video games between classes. On May 5, 2025, the supervision of this space changed from the previous supervisor, who had helped develop the space, to the new library director hire that began in January. This presentation focuses on two different parts of this change. First the benefits and challenges which are brought about by having this space student run. However, it also focuses on the steps being taken to keep the student workers involved, while also making changes to help the space run more effectively and answer concerns of the administration. 

Session 2b: Creative Cataloging – One Library’s Approach to Cataloging the Irregular

Presenter 

Joe Jordan, Supervisor at The Spark, University of North Texas

Description

In this presentation, we will discuss our approach to cataloging makerspace materials, the standards we are using, and the challenges we have faced in working with non-traditional library materials. Half of the presentation allotted time will be given to discuss strategies and resources with the audience in an open discussion format. 

July 30, 2025

Day 2 Opening Presentation

Presenter 

TBA

Description

TBA

Session 3a: You Can Lead a Writing Professor to a Media Lab, But You Can’t Make Him Record a Podcast

Presenters

Emily Thompson, Director, Library Studio, University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Dr. Oren Whightsel, Senior Lecturer, University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Description

How does a librarian convince an experienced writing teacher to add a multimedia assignment to their class? Sometimes it takes years of patience and acceptance that it will only happen when the time is right. In this session, a Senior Lecturer and a Multimedia Librarian will discuss how they started putting together assignments. What works, what doesn’t, and how they got from a weary sigh to genuine excitement about rhetorical video essays. 

Session 3b: Crafting Connections: Situating Sewing in the MSU Library Makerspace

Presenters

Jamie Moriarty, Makerspace Coordinator, Michigan State University

Amanda Tickner, GIS Librarian and Makerspace Librarian, Michigan State University

Description

Sewing is an often-underestimated mechanical technology that holds potential as a disruptive force in the realm of digital technologies. It rivals, and in some aspects surpasses, the complexity of computer-aided design, challenging prevalent misperceptions that dismiss sewing as craft. In this presentation we will detail the integration of sewing into our makerspace through services, partnerships, and programming, showcasing success stories with practical recommendations for incorporating sewing into your makerspace. We will highlight how the infrastructure for sewing differs from other technologies used in makerspaces. Additionally, we will discuss the challenges we have faced in gaining administrative support for sewing and discuss strategies we have used to secure funding when traditional crafting is overlooked. Since people interact with sewn objects constantly, sewing machines have a level of familiarity that can help reduce the barrier to entry of engaging with the makerspace. Sewing has immense value through bringing people to the space that may not otherwise have visited. 

Session 4a: Podcast Assignment Design: A Collaboration Between Media Staff and Academic Librarians

Presenter 

David Ramos Candelas, Multimedia & Design Specialist, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Chelsea Heinbach, Teaching & Learning Librarian, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Amber Sewell, Teaching & Learning Librarian, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Description

This presentation will describe an interdepartmental collaboration between University of Nevada, Las Vegas Libraries’ Multimedia and Design Specialist and two Teaching and Learning Librarians to integrate podcast assignments across the curriculum. We will discuss how the collaboration began, how we identified areas of opportunity, and ways we have worked with faculty to raise awareness and foster partnerships in the classroom. 

Presenters have created a suite of resources to support faculty looking to create effective and creative podcasting assignments. These materials include a partnership framework, which outlines three tiers of collaboration between faculty and library staff, a student-facing resource guide showcasing important tools and strategies, and a grading rubric template that instructors can adapt to their assignment. We will also highlight how we shared these resources with faculty by hosting a libraries-sponsored lunch and learn, designed to introduce them to these materials and encourage partnerships for assignment design.

This presentation will benefit creative technology professionals looking to expand academic integration of their multimedia spaces, and offer insight into how to leverage partnerships to create engaging and inclusive student-centered research assignments.

Session 4b: Makerspace Leadership in Transition: Service Continuity and Quality During Periods of Considerable Change 

Presenters 

Joseph Taylor, Creative Technologies Librarian, Coastal Carolina University

Eric Resnis, Head of Research and Scholarship, Coastal Carolina University

Adam Johnson, Learning Technologies & Data Librarian, Coastal Carolina University

Description

Change is inevitable. But how do you maintain continuity (and indeed quality) of service during a period of considerable change?  The last year marked a period of transition for our Makerspace. We moved to a brand new library, doubling our square footage in the process.  This move incorporated new and upgraded technologies, many of which were not available in the old space.  Additionally, we added a VR/Data Visualization Lab and podcasting studio rooms to our available services.  If that wasn’t enough, the unexpected departure of the Makerspace Manager created brand new challenges in an already busy period.  

This presentation will describe our experiences and our insights in responding to a considerably chaotic situation and making changes that kept us on schedule and ensured quality and continuity of service. Specific topics that we will highlight include: 

  • What management models work best during transitional periods? 
  • How do you evaluate workflows and technologies, especially during a time of rapid change? 
  • How do you respond when a Makerspace Manager exits unexpectedly? 
  • How do you make transitions in leadership without negatively impacting the space, outreach and programming, or student workers? 

PROJECTions and Closing Remarks

Description

PROJECTions will be played by Alice Rogers with individual presenters (as listed below) answering questions about their videos as time allows, followed by announcements regarding upcoming conferences and other ACTAL business.

PROJECTions Descriptions

A Video Essay about Making a Video Essay about Our Reimagined Space

Presenter 

Lisa Hooper, Head of Media Services, Tulane University 

Description

At the 2024 in person conference I did a “0 to 60, Eventually” lightening round talk. In that talk, you learned about all the many no’s my proposals for lending creative tech and changes to our space received over the years until finally, and surprisingly, I got a great big yes. At that time, I was only able to show you an empty floor space and some furniture sketches. Instead of simply telling you about how the more open floor plan and a bit of opportunity grabbing led to student artwork in the space, vibrant new signage, a listening corner, and space to bring our equipment out from behind the gate into public spaces for people to discover, play, and create – I want to show you. 

Part of growing with the space as we build it out involves learning new things; this video is the new thing. I’ve been doing basic video editing workshops with ShotCut and, more recently, Adobe Express, but in the coming academic year I want to offer a proper video essay workshop. This presentation will be a video essay making experience builder that will guide future workshop development. In the process, this video essay will be demonstrative of the ever-evolving, learning-centric nature of managing creative media spaces in academic libraries while also show-casing our finished project of a re-imagined public space.

Leveraging the currency and efficacy of YouTube tutorials in LibGuides

Presenter 

Lowell Lybarger, Media Librarian, Arkansas Tech University

Description

The Internet age has spawned a multimodal infoscape with users who seek audio-visual information sources in addition to text-only sources.  Libraries can leverage the power of YouTube by curating and collocating quality videos with embedded links for visual appeal. This presentation demonstrates specific Libguides that lure the present-day information seeker with accurate, terse, and engaging multimedia content.

Summer Fun: Department Playdates in the Makerspace

Presenter 

Michelle Brannen, Head, Immersive Spaces & Technologies, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Description

The Medbery Makerspace opened in Hodges Library in February 2024. During summer 2024, makerspace staff hosted library department playdates for any department in the library who wished to participate. Each play date was unique with a different array of activities. The goal of the program was to provide an opportunity for staff across the libraries to learn about makerspace resources and services as well as to provide an opportunity for team building. In this presentation, I’ll share a little information from research about the benefits of play at work and play for adults; how the program was structured in summer 2024; feedback from colleagues; and planned changes for the program in summer 2025 that will be starting July 28, just after the ACTAL virtual conference.

Building Community through 3D Printing: Lessons from a Student-Led 3D Printing Team and Library Makerspace

Presenter 

Leanne Nay, Creative Technologies Librarian, Indiana University Libraries

Paulina Adams, MLS/MIS Candidate, Indiana University Libraries

Description

Indiana University is home to the Center of Excellence for Women & Technology (CEW&T), an initiative designed to empower women with technology skills. CEW&T oversees multiple student-led teams, including the 3D Printing & Design Team which is composed of three student interns and one faculty mentor or “champion.” The team hosts workshops and events throughout the academic year to educate and build community around 3D printing. 

For the past four years, the head of the library makerspace has served as the faculty champion, creating a natural partnership between CEW&T and the library. In this presentation, we share how this relationship has boosted engagement in the makerspace and consider how leaders of technology spaces can collaborate with student groups to reach more students.

Sticks are fine! A lo-fi solution to invite play in motion capture

Presenter 

Trevor Finney, Manager of the Virtual Environments and Gaming Studios, Virginia Tech

Description

The biggest barriers I have observed to using our motion capture technology are perceptual barriers that prompt people to opt-out. Motion capture equipment is sleek, black, futuristic, and imposing. It looks too fancy to be used for play and too complicated to be used quickly. By pivoting the technology from plastic controllers to sticks and twine we can connect people to acts of imagination and play. By offering a ready-to-use virtual scene we can let visitors play in as little as a few minutes and to decide what part of the process they want to explore. Lo-fi solutions like this can combat the feeling that creative technology is only for serious business and takes a long time to get started.

Beyond Books: Empowering Innovation Through the Gadgets Lending Service

Presenters

Cierra Cooper, Public Services Associate Lead, Georgia Tech

Description

This PROJECTion will describe some of the technology that the Gadgets service at the Georgia Tech Library has to offer. The Gadgets Lending Service puts cutting-edge technology-like cameras, VR headsets, and audio recorders-directly in students’ hands. This access has enabled creative projects and research that might not have been possible otherwise, breaking down financial and logistical barriers to experimentation. I will also detail some of the policies that have been put into place to make the service work for students and the library. To maximize impact, the service employs clear policies: defined loan periods, no renewals, and a transparent cancellation system. These guidelines ensure gadgets circulate efficiently, reduce overdue returns, and make technology available to as many students as possible. I am also looking for the best ways to market this service. While we do get a lot of usage out of our collection, we still have plenty of students who do not know this service exists until it is too late to put in a request. 

Leveling Up: Empowering Student Employees and Growing Makerspace Programming

Presenters 

Lily Murray, Undergraduate Experience Librarian, Northern Kentucky University

Samantha Geiger, Makerspace Coordinator, Northern Kentucky University

Description

In this presentation, the Makerspace Coordinator and Undergraduate Experience Librarian at a mid-size regional university will share their programming plans for the upcoming academic year. Our Makerspace, Stego Studio, opened in 2021 and has been offering workshops/programming for the past 2 years. The programming began as monthly workshops on different technologies in Makerspace, all planned and primarily led by the Makerspace Coordinator. 
With the arrival of the Undergraduate Experience Librarian, we are building capacity to offer more programs and empower our student employees to hold more responsibility in our programming. After working together for an academic year, we created a proposal for 4 types of programs for the 2025-2026 AY:

  • Workshop – focuses on the higher tech offerings in Stego Studio, walks students through general use and special projects, different focus each month of the semester; 
  • Crafternoon – entry level low or no-tech projects to get students into the space;
  • Maker Talk – focusing on guest speakers from partners across campus and how they created their items made in Stego Studio, 1-2 per semester based on interest;
  • Fiber Arts Meetup – monthly time open to students, faculty and staff to connect and create.

During our presentation, we will share with attendees our previous programming model, the new model for the 2025-2026 AY, the role that student employees will play in this outreach plan, and how we plan to assess them. We will focus on Workshops on Crafternoons, as those are the programs that involve our student employees. 

Every Rock Is a Story: Teaching the Scientific Method through Podcasting

Presenters

Michael Standard, Studio Librarian, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Jennifer Taylor, Assistant Professor of Geology, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Description

This PROJECTion describes the evolution of an ongoing podcasting assignment that is embedded in UTC’s Petrology (study of the formation of rocks) course within the Geology curriculum. The podcasts that the students produce are True Crime genre, which we believe supports learning outcomes within the curriculum. We have completed two iterations of this assignment, and we have identified parameters that are more and less effective when applying podcast assignments in a science course. This assignment also represents a collaboration between UTC’s Geology department and the Studio Instruction program in UTC’s Library. In addition to the implementation of this assignment, we are administering an IRB-approved survey. This survey evaluates students’ confidence in scientific inquiry, technology skills, and creative production. We intend to administer the survey for at least three years to evaluate longitudinal data on the effectiveness of this assignment in improving outcomes.

Equipment Training: Looking Backwards and Forwards

Presenter 

Dayna Diamond, Multimedia Development Specialist, University of New Mexico

Description

I will discuss the history of the equipment training at UNM’s ACC, from the way it was when I arrived, the transition to a remote / online equipment training, and my plans for future changes.