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Unlocking Creativity: Introducing the Future Media Studio in Carrier Library

Posted June 3, 2025 in Uncategorized

With the increasing popularity of multimedia-based assignments, the demand for media creation spaces has never been greater. As Jenna Polk, our Assistant Director of Media Production and Makerspace Services, notes:

“As the media and technology landscape keeps changing, especially with the rise of generative AI, we’re hearing from faculty members who want to offer innovative project types for their students. In addition to traditional written assignments, they’re providing experiential learning opportunities, like creating a podcast, video, or multimedia object. Students can produce all of these in our media production spaces, supported by experts from the Libraries.”

When Carrier Library reopens in Fall 2026, the JMU community will discover a new, state-of-the-art media studio with two spaces designed just for them: 

A JMU Libraries team member records a podcast episode in the existing Video and Audio Production Studio in Rose Library

These two new studio spaces will complement the existing Video and Audio Production Studio on the 5th floor of Rose Library, meaning faculty will have access to instructional media spaces and services on both sides of JMU’s campus starting in Fall 2026. 

An Open Creative Space for Students 

Students looking to create video and audio content for coursework or personal projects will be able to use a flexible and accessible space in the media studio in the future Carrier Library. 

Carrier Library under construction, April 2025. The Media Studio will be on the 2nd floor of the historic side of the building, shown here in the foreground.

Highlights: 

As the first media studio available to any JMU student, this space will provide all Dukes with the freedom to experiment, develop ideas, and bring projects to life. 

A Space for Faculty and Staff to Create Instructional Media 

In the new Carrier Library, faculty and staff will benefit from a cutting-edge, full-service media production space designed to enhance their teaching, creativity, and scholarship. Whether they’re recording tutorials, interviews with subject matter experts, lectures, or immersive narratives, those who use this studio will find it is fully equipped to turn their ideas into professional-quality media. 

A JMU faculty member records a video—with expert assistance from JMU Libraries team members—in the existing Video & Audio Studio in Rose Library

Features: 

In this space, instructors can focus entirely on sharing their expertise while media professionals handle technical execution. In the words of Andrew Strack, our Director of Media Production and Makerspace Services, “This studio isn’t just about the physical space or equipment, but also the staff that will bring their expertise to each project.” 

The Vision Behind the Studio 

As they planned the studio, library staff drew inspiration from extensive research into other universities’ audiovisual services as well as lessons learned in the Rose Library studio. The goal was to provide professional-grade resources to everyone in the JMU community while ensuring accessibility and flexibility for future needs. As the university evolves, JMU Libraries continues to equip students, faculty, and staff with the tools to create engaging, high-quality content.

Located near the makerspace and the Learning Innovations & Design Desk on the second floor of Carrier Library, the studio will offer students, staff, and faculty a range of resources and experts eager to support their work.  

Get Ready to Dream Big 

The possibilities within these studio spaces are limitless.  Whether faculty members are redesigning coursework to include video content or students are embracing podcasting and digital storytelling, JMU Libraries’ studio spaces and services are ready to meet the challenge.