MakerSpaces Could Be in Your Library’s Future

Posted by Hannah Sinemus on February 28th, 2015 Posted in: The MAReport
Tags: 2015 Issue 1

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CyberCast

Missy Harvey, Technology and Communication Coordinator

The concept of a MakerSpace has caught the attention of libraries in recent years. MakerSpaces are places where people can gather to create, invent, and learn new skills.  People can explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials, and develop projects on almost any topic.  The emphasis is usually on promoting partnership, collaboration, and creation.  The goal is to provide access to equipment, community, and education, and each MakerSpace may be designed to fit the purposes of a particular community.

Libraries are a natural place to serve as a MakerSpace.  Depending on the type of library, they often serve as community hubs for everything from research assistance, a training center for new technologies or skills, career counseling, as well as serving as a place to recuperate after a community disaster.  So adding a MakerSpace to a library seems a natural fit.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s a school, public, hospital, or academic library—all can expand their outreach and community engagement by adding a MakerSpace.

We’ll be holding a TechTime session focusing on MakerSpaces on March 31^st.  Watch this site for more details:  http://nnlm.gov/mar/training/techtime_schedule.html

In the meantime, here are some great resources if you’re considering setting up a MakerSpace in your library:

• Museums, Libraries, and Makerspaces (IMLS)

• Libraries & Maker Cultures:  A Resource Guide:  Includes a list of libraries with MakerSpaces, as well as how to plan your own MakerSpace

• Makerspace FAQs

• MakerSpaces Move into Academic Libraries

• Creating a Digital Learning Lab Makerspace Initiative for Teens (Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh)

• Makerspace Playbook: School Edition

• Library MakerSpaces (Pinterest)

• Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians

Makerspaces Directories

• Makerspaces and Hackerspaces

• Makerspace Directory

• The Maker Map