In the 21st century there is a constant rise in library patron needs and expectations. As dwindling budgets and less staff prevail, libraries are looking at new models of outreach and engagement to prove their value. Implementing a culture of creativity within one’s organization promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and inclusion, which can build good will and trust, but does not need to cost a lot of time or money. Engaging partnerships can lead to better visibility for libraries which is important when it comes to acquiring administrative approval and funding. But perhaps most important, playful learning events can be a dynamic way to highlight collections and services which can also be assessed to help capture and share the value and importance of an organization. This presentation will look at creativity in libraries, both inward and outward, and discuss the skills and tools needed to “be creative”. Looking through a “creative” lens focuses on “what is possible” and encourages individuals and organizations to work in unconventional ways while using tools which are readily and easily accessible for teaching, learning, or solving problems. Creative and playful experiences can be freeing and allow for spontaneity which is crucial when performing scholarly research, solving problems, or honing life-long learning skills. Creative learning experiences also provide casual teaching moments and opportunities for patrons to engage with library staff in non-traditional ways, which leads to a greater understanding of what is possible in a 21st century library.  

1. THE ENGAGED LIBRARIAN:
FOSTERING A CULTURE OF CREATIVITY
AND PLAY IN LIBRARIES
GLORIANA ST. CLAIR LECTURE IN 21ST CENTURY LIBRARIANSHIP
MEGAN LOTTS, ART LIBRARIAN- RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY

2. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME...

3. ABSTRACT
In the 21st century there is a constant rise in library patron needs and expectations. As dwindling budgets and less staff prevail, libraries are looking
at new models of outreach and engagement to prove their value. Implementing a culture of creativity within one’s organization promotes cross-
disciplinary collaboration and inclusion, which can build good will and trust, but does not need to cost a lot of time or money. Engaging
partnerships can lead to better visibility for libraries which is important when it comes to acquiring administrative approval and funding. But
perhaps most important, playful learning events can be a dynamic way to highlight collections and services which can also be assessed to help
capture and share the value and importance of an organization.
This presentation will look at creativity in libraries, both inward and outward, and discuss the skills and tools needed to “be creative”. Looking
through a “creative” lens focuses on “what is possible” and encourages individuals and organizations to work in unconventional ways while using
tools which are readily and easily accessible for teaching, learning, or solving problems. Creative and playful experiences can be freeing and allow
for spontaneity which is crucial when performing scholarly research, solving problems, or honing life-long learning skills. Creative learning
experiences also provide casual teaching moments and opportunities for patrons to engage with library staff in non-traditional ways, which leads
to a greater understanding of what is possible in a 21st century library.

4. INTRODUCTION

5. OUTLINE FOR
THE DAY
Creativity...A state of mind
Creativity...Engagement and Partnerships
Creativity...Assessment, Buy In, & Failure
Creativity...The Art(s) & Unique Collections
Creativity...Active Learning & Play
Creativity....Projects

6. CREATIVITY: A STATE OF MIND

7. DEFINING
CREATIVITY

8. THE PROCESS
OF CREATIVE
THINKING

9. EMPATHY, ASSUMPTION,
AND INCLUSION

10. CREATIVITY IS
CONTAGIOUS

11. CREATIVITY IS
NOT ABOUT
SPACE

12. ARE
ARTISTS AND SCIENTISTS
REALLY
SO DIFFERENT?

13. CREATIVITY &
WORKING
TOGETHER

14. PARTNERSHIPS &
TURNING
OUTWARD

15. CREATIVITY: ASSESSMENT, BUY IN, & FAILURE

16. CREATIVITY:
THE ART(S) &
UNIQUE
COLLECTIONS

17. CREATIVITY:
ACTIVE
LEARNING &
PLAY

18. ENGAGEMENT
& WORKING
CREATIVELY
(MODEL)
Brainstorming, and the work
Highlighting a collection or service
Instruction- learning goal
Who are partners/collaborators (inward & outward)
Who is your Audience
Getting buy in/Publicity
Fiscal support/Budget (time & money)
Assessment

19. CREATIVITY
FRAMEWORK
Highlighting a collection or service:
Instruction or learning goal:
Who are partners/collaborators (outward):
Getting buy in/Publicity:
Fiscal/Budget (time & money):
Assessment:
“The Work”:
PROJECT WORKING TITLE & BRIEF DESCRIPTION: BRAINSTORMING:
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE? WHO ARE PARTNERS (inward)?

20. WOODBLOCK WOODSTOCK

21. LEGO

22. RUL BUTTON-MAKING INITIATIVE

23. EXHIBITS

24. EXPERIENCES WITH LIVING ARTISTS

25. RU GAME
Wednesday, April 8
College Avenue, Alexander Library
You’ll get the opportunity to play Super Smash
Brothers and Wii Sports with RU athletes. As well as
GIANT Jenga, or SushiGo with a Librarian.
Talk from 7PM–8PM and
gaming and snacks from 8PM–10PM.
R U P A P R E S E N T S :
RU
GAME?
RU
GAME?
Like playing games? Stop by Alexander Library to play games such as
Super SmashBrothers – WiiSports – GIANTJenga
Sponsored By:
Rutgers Athletics
Rutgers University Programming Association
rupa.rutgers.edu
(848) 932-5395
RUPAinformation@gmail.com
facebook.com/RUPApresents
@RUPARutgers Paid for in part by student fees via RUSA Allocations Board.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing
accommodations or who have questions about physical
access for this event may contact RUPAinformation@gmail.com
or (848) 932-5395 in advance of the program.

26. STRESSBUSTERS

27. EDIBLE BOOKS

28. BANNED BOOKS WEEK-FREEDOM TO READ GRANT

29. POLYNOMIOGRAPHY

30. FOR FREEDOMS PROJECT

31. EMBEDDED LIBRARIANSHIP

32. COLORING

33. ZINES
MAKE BUTTONS
(for your backpack)
in the libraries!
Contact:
Megan Lotts
megan.lotts@rutgers.edu
FIND&CITE
Images
LEARNaboutART
THROUGHExhibits
AttheRUArtLibrary
Need help? Ask:
Megan Lotts,
Art Librarian
megan.lotts@rutgers.edu
848-932-7189
DATABASES&
ArtLibrary
RESEARCHGUIDE
WEBSITE
www.librariesrutgers.edu
LEARNMORE@
https://libguides.rutger
s.edu/findimages
Special Collections &
University Archives
(SC/UA) has
RARE & UNIQUE
materials...
*this zine is inspired by the
Sinclair Popular Culture
collections found in SC/UA.
https://libguides.rutgers
.edu/artlibrary
https://libguides.rutgers
.edu/eventsandexhibits
Rutgers Art Library
Fall 2019 Zine
71 Hamilton St
New Brunswick, NJ
ArtLibrary
FALLHOURS
Sun2pm-10pm
Mon-Thurs
8:30am-10pm
Fri8:30am-5pm
Sat10am-5pm

34. THE BOOK: DIGITAL, EDIBLE, AND AS ART

35. TEACHING- PLAYING TO LEARN IN HIGHER EDUCATION

36. TEACHING- VISUAL LITERACY W/ ARESTY PROGRAM

37. CONCLUSION

38. FINAL THOUGHT

39. QUESTIONS?
• Megan Lotts, MFA, M.L.I.S
Art Librarian
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
(848)932-7189
megan.lotts@rutgers.edu
www.meganlotts.com
• Twitter: @MCLotts
Link to work in Rucore:
http://soar.libraries.rutgers.edu/bib/Megan_Lotts/

40. BIO
Megan Lotts is the Art Librarian at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where she teaches research workshops,
builds collections, facilitates programming and events, and closely engages with students and faculty researching in the
Arts. Lotts has presented her research both nationally and internationally and has published articles in portal: the
Libraries in Academia, Art Documentation, Journal of Library administration, College and Research Libraries News and is
currently working on a book for the American Libraries Association focusing on creativity and play in libraries. Her
research interests include creativity, outreach & engagement, makerspaces, play, and the work of library liaisons. She is
known for her work implementing LEGOâ play, a culture of creativity, and curating the exhibition spaces at the Rutgers
University Art Library, as well as teaching a semester long seminar “Playing to Learn in Higher Education.” Megan earned
her MFA (2004) and MLIS (2007) from University of Wisconsin-Madison and has a BFA in Painting (2000) and BFA in Art
History (2002) from the University of Illinois- Champaign-Urbana. She currently lives in New Brunswick, NJ and continues
to create site-specific conceptual works of art.

41. REFERENCES
“Tactical Urbanism for Librarians: Quick, Low-Cost Ways to Make Big Changes (9780838915585): Karen
Munro: Books.” Accessed December 2, 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0838915582/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
.
“Out of Our Minds: The Power of Being Creative: Ken Robinson: 9780857087416: Amazon.Com: Books.”
Accessed December 2, 2019.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/085708741X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
.
American Libraries Magazine. “Innovating with Creativity and Empathy.” Accessed August 15, 2019.
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/innovating-creativity-empathy/.
Lotts, Megan. “Legos in the Library,” chapter 11 in The Maker Librarian’s Sourcebook, ed. Elyssa Valenti
(Chicago: American Libraries Association, 2017).

42. REFERENCES
• Lotts, Megan. “Outreach, Engagement, and Highlighting the Rutgers University Libraries Collections.” Art
Librarian Society of Australia and New Zealand Conference Proceedings, (October 2018).
• Lotts, Megan. “Lego® Play: Implementing a Culture of Creativity & Making in the Academic Library.”
ACRL Conference Proceedings, (March 2015): 409-418.
• Lotts, Megan. “Low Cost High-Impact Makerspaces at the Rutgers University Art Library.” Art
Documentation 36, (Fall 2017): 345- 362.
• Lotts, Megan. “On the Road, Playing with LEGO, and Learning about the Library: The Rutgers Art Library
Lego Playing Station, Part Two.” Journal of Library Administration 56, Iss. 5 (Summer 2016): 499-525.
• Lotts, Megan. “Playing with LEGO, Learning about the Library and ‘Making’ Campus Connections: The
Rutgers Art Library Lego Playing Station, Part One.” Journal of Library Administration 56, Iss. 4 (May
2016): 359-380.

43. REFERENCES
• Lotts, Megan. “Games, LEGOâ, and Pizza Boxes: Playing to Learn at the Rutgers University Art Library.” ALA
GameRT Blog, (January 31, 2019).
• Lotts, Megan and Tara Maharjan. “Engagement, Learning, Outreach, and Fun in 60 Seconds: Button Making at
the Rutgers University Libraries.” College & Research Libraries News 79, no.7 (2018): 364-368.
• Lotts, Megan. “Coloring outside the Information Literacy Lines”. Association of College & Research Libraries
and American Library Association Instruction Section Newsletter 34, no. 2 (Fall 2017): 5-6.
• Lotts, Megan. “Floating Castles, Legos, Candy, and Play: Counterplay 2016.” Library Hi Tech News 33, no. 5
(June 2016): 18-20.
• Lotts, Megan. “Landscape Architecture Students Play with Legos to Learn About the Library.” Association of
Collegiate Schools of Architecture AASL Column, (May 12, 2016).
• Lotts, Megan. “Woodblock Woodstock: The Drive By Press at Morris Library.” College & Research Libraries
News 74, no. 2 (February 2013): 86-89.

44. REFERENCES
• Lotts, Megan. “Building Bridges, Creating Partnerships, and Elevating the Arts: The Rutgers University
Art Library Exhibition Spaces.” College & Research Libraries News 77, no. 5 (May 2016): 226-230.
• Lotts, Megan. “Implementing a Culture of Creativity: Pop Up Making Spaces and Participating Events in
Academic Libraries.” College & Research Libraries News 76, no. 2 (February 2015): 72-75.
• Kranich, Nancy, Megan Lotts, and Gene Springs. “The Promise of Academic Libraries Turning Outward
to Transform Campus Communities.” College & Research Libraries News 75, no. 4 (April 2014): 182-186.