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.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, welcome! Please email rogersa@vt.edu at least 10 days prior to the event.