Florida Library Association Library Innovation Award Winner

The Florida Library Association (FLA) honored outstanding libraries, individuals, businesses and library supporters during its annual conference held May 13-15, 2015 at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center. Award recipients were selected from a large number of applicants for the quality of their service to their local communities and to the library profession. The Library Innovation Award was presented to the duPont Ball Library and Learning Technologies, Stetson University. Libraries have long provided technology to support academic programs. 3D printers are one more technology resource to add to the mix. Librarians discovered, however, that 3D printing has not yet been well-developed as a true learning technology integrated into curricular assignments. The Stetson Library implemented 3D printing as a curricular tool that supports faculty-developed assignments. The library takes a proactive approach in integrating technologies into engaged classroom learning. It is relatively rare to have direct curricular collaborations of this type. The goal is that the library not just be a repository for technology, but a catalyst for teaching and learning.