November 7, 2020

Dear Connecticut School Library Specialist, 

Greetings! I hope this letter finds you well during this unique school year. My name is Jennifer Segalla and I am a graduate student in the MLIS program at Southern Connecticut State University. I am inviting you to participate in a research study about makerspaces in Connecticut schools; who has them, what they offer and how they are managed and accessed. This research is for my final project as a graduate student. 

The intent of this research project is to investigate makerspace programs for students within public school’s library programs in Connecticut. Specifically, this study proposes to determine how many school libraries in Connecticut provide makerspaces for their students and for those that do, the staff, services and equipment that they have/provide. It would also examine the way in which students gain access to the makerspace. The results of this study could supply public school librarians with information and resources on how to create a both a physical makerspace and a makerspace program for their students within their own school library. (Please feel free to base your answers on a ‘typical non-Covid-19’ school year.)

If you agree to be part of the research study, please complete the brief questionnaire linked to this letter through this Google Form. Participating in this study is completely voluntary.  Even if you decide to participate now, you may change your mind and stop at any time. The results from this research project will be shared with my professor and with fellow MLIS students at Southern Connecticut State University. 

I truly appreciate you considering participating in the brief questionnaire. Your answers will help to provide information on the presence (or lack of) makerspace programs in our state. 

        Sincerely,

        Jennifer Segalla 

        Segallaj2@southernct.edu