Creating Opportunities through Making and Maker Spaces in

Public Libraries

7ª Jornada de Biblioteca Pública i Cohesió Social Barcelona, Espanya 20 de març de 2017

TechCentral Manager

18 years in Public Libraries

Computer Science Degree

Self-taught Computer Technician

Building, Designing, Tinkering, Painting, Sewing, Coding…

About Me

Cleveland, Ohio

City of Cleveland Population: 388,072 (2015 estimate) Land Area: 77.70 sq. mi. (201.24 km2) Cuyahoga County Population: 1,255,921 (2015 est.) Land Area: 457 sq. mi. (1184 km2)

Cleveland Public Library

Established in 1869 Main Library Campus (2 buildings) 27 Branch Libraries Patrons: 332,882 Items: Over 10 million Shelving: 65 miles (104 km.) Public Computers: 625 Staff: Approx. 650

Cleveland (in 2012) Ohio 34.2% poverty rate 15.8% 50.2% youth poverty rate 22.8%

Photo: Nyttend Source: 2008-2012 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

0,00%

10,00%

20,00%

30,00%

40,00%

50,00%

60,00%

70,00%

Cleveland, OH Ohio United States

Educational Attainment Cleveland, Ohio versus State/National

No High School Diploma High School Diploma or Less

Some College or More

3D print by DDW96

3D print by DDW96

“At the “People’s University,” we strive to provide an environment for learning that

limits no one and includes everyone.”

TechCentral

TechCentral

• 90 Public Computers

• 2 Adaptive Technology Stations

• 7 Group Work Stations

• ‘myCloud’ Computer Stations

• Tablet and device lending

• Copy/Print/Scan/Fax/E-mail Capabilities

• SmartBoard and Flexible Teaching Space

• Cell Phone Charging Station

• 3D Printing Service

• 15 Total Staff (2 Managers, 13 Library Assistants)

“Maker” Programming

Fabrication Spaces

publiclibrariesonline.com

Capital Librarian

Recording and Production Lawrence Public Library – Photo: David Lee King

Coding and Design

Chattanooga Public Library

Electronics and Robotics

Photo: Silvia Potenza

Sewing, Knitting, and Fabrics

San Jose Public library TeenHQ

Mobile Lab & MakerSpace

KickStarter: You Need These Dice

Yelp – Cleveland Brewing Company

Photo: Ohio.com

Tools for learning

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Photo: ParentingPatch

Tools for learning

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Photo: CSM Library

• Equal Access

• Technology education

• Creative thinking & design thinking skills

• Entrepreneurship

• Civic engagement

• Self-directed learning

• Mentorship

• Collaboration San Jose Library Pop-up Maker Space

Photo: Mitch Altman

Communities of Learning: The Library is perfectly situated to help form these communities. We are in the

business of making connections. We are also in the business of providing

information, resources for sharing information, and the physical and virtual

spaces for people to come together.

Thank you!

¡Muchas Gracias!