When most people hear any title with the word "digital" in it, the first thing they think of is money. That's understandable as most libraries are constantly having to juggle budgets that are truly scarce in their available funds. Not to worry, though. No need to fret, my fellow librarians. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (
IMLS) has made it their business to support these organizations with digital tools to reach the masses. One such grant they are connected to, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, has garnered a large amount of prominence as it has helped several museums and libraries across the nation help feed the digital needs of their respective communities. This foundation's main focus "supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world" ("About Us," 2015). The entire pledge really sums up what digital media labs seek to accomplish and how libraries that choose to incorporate them are knowledgeable of just what an inclusion of such a lab would bring to their patrons. As of 2014, this foundation has authorized $203.5 million grants. That's impressive and it shows their commitment to helping institutions like libraries fund digital media labs that will greatly benefit all who use them. Just ask the Kansas City (MO) Public Library who received $100,000 to develop their DML specifically for their teen population in 2012!
References
About us. (2015). In
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved October 26, 2015, from https://www.macfound.org/about/.
creative
people and effective institutions committed to building a more just,
verdant, and peaceful world - See more at:
https://www.macfound.org/about/#sthash.yMWoVvMo.dpuf
creative
people and effective institutions committed to building a more just,
verdant, and peaceful world - See more at:
https://www.macfound.org/about/#sthash.yMWoVvMo.dpuf
With so many libraries stepping up to the call to include digital media labs within its four walls, librarians have found it difficult to understand the new technologies, softwares, etc. that would be worthy to call a DML. Additionally, with budget cuts, its almost impossible to pay someone who has working knowledge of those intricate 'ologies and 'wares, so librarians have to buckle down into their own sort of work-study to be the face of their new lab. How do they combat this, you ask? How else but to read up on it! There is a slew of literature on the subject of digital media labs and the best books on the subject have recently been compiled by Goodreads. This list contains 63 books consisting of both digital media lab subject material and makerspace subject matter (makerspaces are a space dedicated to the creation of materials with the use of technology). The number one book on the list has quite an interesting title and received a four star rating. How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro by Steve Stockman explains that most American households have some type of video equipment and knowing how to use it in ways that make it great instead of just good is now a priority. Libraries would most certainly benefit from having a book like this on hand for not only themselves, but also for their patrons who would use their digital media lab for video purposes. Along the same lines of this book, the number thirty-six spot focuses on teens and the video craze of YouTube. Filmaking for Teens: Pulling Off Your Shorts by Troy Lanier gets teens to make their videos stand out more from the others by applying his tools. One example topic includes how to shoot using HD or high definition. This is an important format for teens to learn how to use since this type of format would be more crisp and clear-cut. With such great books detailing some of today's new technology, it won't be hard for librarians to learn a few things quickly so they'll be able to share it with their patrons in a flash. 
