Community Needs Assessment for Libraries

Kristin Fontichiaro is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, whose diverse career path has uniquely shaped her contributions to library science and educational innovation. With an undergraduate degree in theater from U-M and experience as a professional stage manager for the San Francisco Opera, she transitioned to education after earning her master's degree in Information and Library Science from Wayne State University. Her work spans multiple domains including makerspaces, data literacy, and educational technology. As a prolific author and educator, she has written over 20 books for children and professionals, serves as series editor for the Makers as Innovators series, and has contributed significantly to data literacy education through publications like "Data Literacy in the Real World." Her innovative approach to learning has earned her numerous accolades, including being named an American Library Association Emerging Leader, receiving the 2012 Library Journal Mover and Shaker award, and the Margaret Grazier Award for Contribution to the Profession. She coordinates the Michigan Makers service and action research initiatives, focusing on creating engaging learning environments where students become active participants in knowledge creation. Through her work at UMSI, she teaches courses in contextual inquiry, makerspace culture, information literacy, and library science, while also speaking internationally on inquiry-based learning and digital literacy. Her vision emphasizes transforming libraries from traditional book repositories into dynamic spaces for knowledge creation and collaborative learning.