{"id":88230,"date":"2015-02-09T10:11:44","date_gmt":"2015-02-09T16:11:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=88230"},"modified":"2015-02-09T10:10:59","modified_gmt":"2015-02-09T16:10:59","slug":"library-makerspaces-libraries-are-places-to-learn-and-create","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=88230","title":{"rendered":"Library Makerspaces: libraries are places to learn and create"},"content":{"rendered":"

Library Makerspaces: libraries are places to learn and create<\/i><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

by Erin Kinney,\u00a0Senior Assistant, INALJ\u00a0<\/i>Wyoming<\/i><\/i><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Erin-Kinney\"<\/a>Makerspaces, also known as hackerspaces, hackspaces, or fablabs, are DIY creative spaces where people gather to invent, create, and learn. \u00a0As David Lankes said<\/a>\u00a0\u201cimagine libraries are places to learn and create, not consume and check out<\/i><\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Library makerspaces have been around since the 19th century when in 1873 the Gowanda (NY) Ladies Social Society formed to knit, sew, quilt, socialize, and do book talks. In 1877, it became the Ladies Library Association, later receiving a state library charter as the Gowanda Free Library in 1900. \u00a0Makerspaces have developed out of DIY culture, but didn\u2019t really take off until 2009 when it got a national push from President Obama who said \u201c<\/b>every child, a maker.<\/i><\/b>\u201d \u00a0<\/b>\u00a0MakerBot propelled it further when they came out with a 3D printer at a price accessible for small organizations and communities.<\/p>\n

Today you may think of library makerspaces as places with 3D printers and laser cutters, but they go far beyond that to include video and music studios to woodworking to 3D modeling software to sewing machines to book printers to DSLR cameras. \u00a0Some libraries have rooms devoted to makerspaces, whereas others have mobile labs, where they can set up in a space and do a makerspace camp. \u00a0Either way, spots are in high demand, and reservations are recommended.<\/p>\n

Want to get started but don\u2019t think your library has the money to do a full blown makerspace program? Check out \u00a0Make It @yourlibrary\u2122<\/b>. \u00a0ALA partnered with Instructables to create Make It @yourlibrary\u2122<\/a> which is a great source for all types of projects that you can limit by age, category, cost, and time of the project.<\/p>\n

Want inspiration? Check out these library makerspaces:<\/b><\/p>\n

Johnson County Library<\/b> (KS)
\n<\/a>Located in the Central Resource Library, you can learn new skills (like sewing or soldering)\u00a0and software (like 3-D modeling or music recording). \u00a0They also have video and audio equipment and software, 3D modeling software, coding software (XCode and Python) and design software.<\/p>\n

Pikes Peak Library District<\/b> (CO)
\n<\/a>They have two makerspaces\u2014Make which is intended for creative projects that do not require hand or power tools, and Make II which is\u00a0intended for fabrication projects that require hand or power tools, emit fumes, or use advanced machinery.<\/p>\n

Cleveland Public Library<\/b> (OH)
\n<\/a>The TechCentral \u00a0MakerSpace has a laser engraving and cutting machine, 3D printer and scanner, a vinyl cutting machine, photography, videography, and graphics design, as well as music recording and production.<\/p>\n

Edmonton Public Library<\/b> (AB)
\n<\/a>Equipment such as 3D Printers, Espresso Book Machine, creative workstations (PCs & Macs), digital conversion hardware, gaming consoles, and a green screen are all available to use.<\/p>\n

Anythink \u00a0Studio<\/b> (CO)
\n<\/a>The Studio at Anythink Wright Farms is a digital learning lab where teens can hang out, mess around and geek out (HoMaGo) with the latest in digital technology including video, audio, graphic design and interactive gaming creation software. \u00a0The Studio at Anythink Brighton has a Makerbot 3D printer, DSLR cameras, sewing machines and supplies for DIY and textile crafts.<\/p>\n

Fayetteville Free Library<\/b> (NY)
\n<\/a>FFL has three distinct makerspaces: the FFL Fab Lab, the fabrication space which contains 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutters, jewelry making tools, knitting and crochet kits and more; FFL Creation Lab, the digital creation space that contains a green screen wall, Adobe Create Suite, video cameras and more; and Little Makerspace for ages 5-8 that has Goldiebox, Roominate, Bionic Biocs, Legos, K\u2019nex, and more.<\/p>\n

Middletown Free Library<\/b> (PA)<\/a>
\nLocated in Media, PA, a town of 5,340 persons, has\u00a0CreateSpace \u00a0which is a place for kids, teens and adults to get creative, explore, learn and make things whether it’s physical objects, short films, or recorded audio.<\/p>\n

New Brunswick Free Public Library<\/b> (NJ)
\n<\/a>The library created a Handcrafting Makerspace. The goal is to provide access to materials and equipment used in both handcrafting and traditional methods of creation, including sewing machines, printing with transfer paper, button making, knitting, and small looms.<\/p>\n

Further reading & research:<\/b><\/p>\n

Burke, John.\u00a0<\/i>Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians<\/i><\/a>. 2014. <\/i>
\nMore of John Burke\u2019s research<\/a><\/p>\n

Makerspace Pinterest boards <\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n

Erin Kinney graduated from Florida State University with her MLIS. \u00a0Erin is a past president and webmaster\u00a0of the Wyoming Library Association. Her professional interests include digitization and providing access\u00a0to rare materials. Erin\u2019s hobbies include photography, knitting, and gardening. You can connect with her\u00a0on\u00a0<\/i>LinkedIn<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Library Makerspaces: libraries are places to learn and create by Erin Kinney,\u00a0Senior Assistant, INALJ\u00a0Wyoming   Makerspaces, also known as hackerspaces, hackspaces, or fablabs, are DIY creative spaces where people gather to invent, create, and learn. \u00a0As David Lankes said\u00a0\u201cimagine libraries are places to learn and create, not consume and check out.\u201d Library makerspaces have been…<\/p>\n

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