“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be lit.”

- Plutarch

MAKER SPACESLAUREN BRITTON AND KEN ROBERTS

Introduction

Mandate of Libraries/Relevant Trends

Definitions/Possibilities

Is there a right “fit” for your library system?

Common issues and barriers

MAKER SPACES

The Mission of Your Library

HamiltonFreedom to Discover

Chattanooga Public Library. . . .the community’s catalyst for lifelong learning.

The Mandate of Your Library

Do you provide:

the word(s), the facts, the format(s), the tool(s),

or

Do you enable:

discovery and the process of discovery?

The Introduction of Public Access Computers 1. Many models were tried (experimentation Stage).

2. Public enthusiasm but resistance within the profession (Is this really our role?).

3. Codification of common model (blocks of time for individual research).

4. Slow modification of the common model.

There are . . .

Makerspaces

Fab Labs

Hacker Spaces

Discovery Centers

Innovation Hubs

YouMedia Centers

Mix and Match

Copenhagen Public Library

An instrument zone where customers can pick up an instrument and begin to play.\

By toggling a switch, they can play together.

There is no booking.

There are no time limits.

Malmo Public Library (Sweden)

A Discovery Center where customers bring projects to the library, review their project needs with staff and then either learn to use the necessary software or book blocks of time on computers with excellent multi-media capabilities (including scanners) to complete their projects.

The gentleman in the slide wants to do a family history website.

Amsterdam Public Library

Music Editing Room – quality space with high visibility.

It is only empty because the library is not yet open.

Again, the emphasis is on assisting people with their creative projects.

Chicago’s Youmedia Center

Designed using MacArthur Foundation research that identifies ways that young adults like to learn:

Peer Learning/Sharing skills

On-Line activities

Gaming

Exploration/Discovery

Living and Learning with New Media

Edmonton Public Library

A Maker Space with Espresso printing, music editing, green screen, 3D printing, Lego robotics, etc.

2,500 square feet.

Staff who are constantly on-the-move, helping customers to get started with projects.

Active and busy and noisy.

Many Makerspaces are in smaller libraries

Innisfil Public Library (located an hour north of Toronto with a population of about 35,000) has a Makerspace and, building on its connection to creativity, has an Artist—in-Residence program.

Innisfil recently had a Tinker-In-Residence.

Those that participate in the creation of their culture and engage with our democracy

Those that consume culture and have little voice in our democracy

Is there an emerging new Divide?

http://makeitatyourlibrary.orghttp://www.instructables.comhttp://makezine.comhttp://tinkerlab.comhttp://www.exploratorium.eduhttp://www.modernparentsmessykids.com

Resources