So You Think You Want a Materials Library? Or: things to consider before developing a materials library.

Following a successful submission for an ARLIS (Art Libraries Society) UK & Ireland research award, a collaborative project between a librarian, technical manager and materials library co-ordinator based at two UK universities took place to explore how a materials library could be used to develop higher education students' academic skills. One institution had established materials libraries, while the other had a collection of materials scattered across various locations. The project set out to share knowledge and investigate how a materials library could be used and whether a dedicated collection was essential to developing students materials and academic literacies. The project was underpinned by the shared ethos that using materials within teaching is relevant to: understanding a sustainable approach; developing critical thinking and reflective skills; and using materials and objects as a vehicle for learning. Through a series of events, activities, visits and knowledge exchange opportunities, the research collaborators: - Compiled a materials box with a variety of samples, for colleagues to borrow and use - Created a set of resources to support educators to confidently deliver materials literacy workshops in their own institutions; - Collated a guide to prompt considerations when developing a materials library; - Shared the project experiences and learning, including testing the resources and activities with library, academic and technical at staff development events including conferences. In addition to achieving these project aims, the process revealed the benefits of working collaboratively across institutions and across academic, professional and technical services. It was also discovered that a designated and formalised materials collection was not wholly essential to achieving these goals. Looking ahead, some examples of how colleagues have used the resources in their own teaching will be shared, alongside potential next steps for the project.