The time is now, get started and innovate your spaces... Makerspaces in Libraries, the People, Places and Things, and most importantly, WHY we do what we do.
4. cc- photo by Ed Schipul
Innovation-- noun in·no·va·tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən
: the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices, or
methods (Merriam-Webster)
43. Links & Resources
Research
21st Century Skills/Institute of Museum and Library Services
Small Business Administration
FabLabs in Libraries- PL Magazine 2012
Andersonville (Chicago, IL) Study
Start with Why --Simon Sinek, 2009
Maker Lab Examples
Skokie Public Library Digital Media Lab
Westport PL Makerspace
Fayetteville Free Library Fab Lab
ACPL Maker Labs
Free Resources
• Makerspace Playbook: Makezine.com
• PSFK Maker’s Manual
Summary- PRIMARILY- PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS
Start with Why by Simon Sinek: suggests we consider why we do what we do-
Sharing via LITEBoxIN, Slideshare, contact info & brief resource list– Q&A
FIRST: What is a Makerspace? AKA Hackerspace, Maker Lab, Createspace- PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS in and around this Compound Noun
SECOND: (Why) Makerspace?
Studies Show and the Professional Literature Suggest Libraries:
1. Participatory learning (It works)
2. Democratization of Tools, Space & Information
3. 21st Century Skills are vital skills to teach (21st century skills are a series of higher-order skills, abilities, and learning dispositions that have been identified as being required for success in 21st century society and workplaces by educators, business leaders, academics, and governmental agencies- Wikipedia)
a. (not “Taught” anywhere else, except by accident/byproduct…
b. team sports, social clubs
c. social media & online learning, multitasking, technology as aide/facilitator, not everything)
THIRD: New Industrial Revolution
-Fuel Next Economic Boom
-Small Business Makes up 98% of businesses in US
More on that later…
Be it the innovation of people like Bill Nye for Science and Kids or Thomas Edison and his electric lightbulb, innovation is a highlight of our history
i.e. work smarter, not harder, (Scrooge McDuck)
FINALLY: Libraries are Changing- This is our MODUS OPERANDI, It’s what we do!!
We lend Tools, Kitchen Implements, Musical Instruments, WiFi Hotspots
Culver-Union Township Public Library:
Consider my childhood library, childhood library- what it was for me, for you, for us?
-beanbags & children’s areas (CSLP), air conditioning, records, VHS movies, public computers & Oregon Trail
All things which started to reshape what a traditional library was and did!
The WHY, the WHO, WHAT WHEN the WHERE and the HOW? We’ll discuss them all, starting with us…
Remember, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, mother Hen (harvest wheat, grind flour, make cake, bake cake…)
Always bear in mind WHY do we do what we do??
We do it for the PEOPLE…
--No people, no libraries, no libraries, no jobs.
No, not just these people… The Professionals & Enthusiasts who pave the way (and make great partners, btw)
Adam Savage,
Limor Fried
These people-
Teens, kids, kids at heart
Aaaand, these people!?
Staff & Volunteers
Who runs the show? ASK(and they will tell)- What do you want?
1. Staff & Volunteers (talents & abilities)
2. Engage the Professionals & Enthusiasts (Trade, craft, avocation)
3. Consider our stakeholders/patrons/customers (demographics & Numbers!!)
Need for disruptive innovators in our field.
What is it going to take to ensure library future?
Young people like these in the library doing things, learning, participating, sharing…`
Stop motion movies for the future generation of filmmaker, or others as enthused about the California Raisins as I…
Just using equipment many kids know forward and backward, and possibly already have as part of their school supplies
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” --A. Einstein
Georgetown Maker Lab Guide Lyssa and a customer deconstructing electronics
Well, who, then?
Our Stakeholders and Customers:
The people fuel what we do, and they are voracious in their desire to tinker and learn
They will tell us what they want from their library, and we MUST listen
Andrew Carnegie- he was (from www.carnegie.org/interactives/foundersstory)
Why Libraries??
‘Carnegie indicated it was the first reason that mattered most to him. Growing up working long hours in Pittsburgh, he had no access to formal education. However, a retired merchant, Colonel Anderson, loaned books from his small library to local boys, including Carnegie. As he later wrote in praise of Anderson,
“This is but a slight tribute and gives only a faint idea of the depth of gratitude which I feel for what he did for me and my companions. It was from my own early experience that I decided there was no use to which money could be applied so productive of good to boys and girls who have good within them and ability and ambition to develop it, as the founding of a public library in a community.”’
Who? You!?
Speaking of traditional libraries:
Wherever you go, there you are…
From a classical library perspective to fitting in the middle of the library, there is no right or wrong answer.
Think & Share portion: What are your experiences with Makerspace in your library?
Ask yourself, where are we going to put your Makerspace?
Allen County PL (IN) Maker Labs
Notable Makerspaces:
Fayetteville Free Library (NY) Fab Lab
Skokie Public Library (IL) Digital Media Lab
Westport (CT) Library Makerspace
St. Joseph Co. PL (IN) Studio 304
Cortex @ Kendallville (IN) PL
Thus, the ACPL decided upon partnership with local Maker group “Tekventure” and created the Maker Station
A 53’ converted trailer was the ACPL’s first stab at a Maker lab
But, Jon, Where are we going to put it?
Per Make_Space by Doorley & Witthoft, there are many manifestations of spaces, and if we are doing it right, it will change.
It’s a creation space, it’s wherever you create things… like a former periodicals room converted into a Maker Lab (with ventilation!)
Where are we going, Where have we been?
Books>Movies&Music>Downloadables/Streaming
2004 & 2012 Andersonville, Chicago, IL study of over 1000 respondents suggested: Locally-owned businesses generate substantially more economic benefit to the local economy than chain businesses. For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the Chicago economy. For every $100 in consumer spending with a chain firm, only $43 remains in the Chicago economy.
Libraries are at the center of the New Industrial Revolution:
21st Century Skills
+
Fuel Next Economic Boom
+
Small business makes up 98% of US economy
When? …are we going to find the time? …can we offer services?
TEMPUS FUGIT
Many are doing this already
No time like the present!
Place to do things TOGETHER
Place to experiment without right or wrong answers, but for the joy of experimentation
What makes a makerspace?
A place which teaches 21st Century Skills
S.T.E.(A).M. Machine
Technology
Tools
Think outside of the box!
Don’t forget:
These things are TECH Focus but People Powered
Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
Funding: $
Planning/Budgeting
Crowdsourcing
What organizations, companies, groups in your area are doing this already?
Ask away! What’s the worst thing you could hear?
Hope for the best, expect the worst?
Doesn’t take a LOT to start this thing- mostly donations(people bringing in what you need, minimal costa)
Charge a fee?
Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Gofundme
Rolling Stone gathers no moss…
Membership & Print Shop- Badging, Membership model, pay-per-print (UPS/FEDEX stores offer 3D printing?)
Marketing
Legal Beagles
Market the hell out of it. Tell everyone. Leverage social media.
Know you have a few hurdles:
Documentation, your forms for indemnification (CYA)
Some Equipment
There is a Cost of Doing Business in all we do.
Fabric Arts
Sewing, Surging, Embroidery
Sandbox
Computers (Audio/Video/Photo)
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machines
3D Printers
Laser Cutter/Engraver
Vinyl Cutter
People-Powered
Funding Source$
Sustaining the Momentum
Do!
Grow!
Outreach
Collaboration
Co-location
Build!
Relationships
Community
Opportunities to Grow what we do
Outreach opportunities
Collaboration with…
Schools, Community Org’s (Scouts, 4H, Youth Groups)
Co-Location (Library Journal) Library at the Mall, Stores at the Library
Build Rapport and the Community
d.School @ Stanford (CA) University
portability, mobility, affordable solutions
It’s not just stuff, it’s a mindset
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” -- M. Gandhi
Electronics kits
Don’t wait until you have a plan, or start making one!
Do It-- NOW! Most of us already are anyway…
Poco-a-poco (little by little)
People-Powered
Funding Source$
Sustaining the Momentum
Not just 3D printing…
Although, it's a start
So many types and kinds
They require filament, and there is even a filament recycler, as waste is one of the biggest concerns in makerspaces today- toxic for landfills and oceans, use plastic bottles to make your own filament!
Filabot
Audio & video creation & editing…
Scan those photos, too!
Music creation
Beats, rhymes & life- synthesizer, sampling, etc.
Soundbooth is where it is at!
Resources [Free-ish]
Maker Manifesto- Hatch
Invent to Learn- Martinez & Stager
The Art of Tinkering- Petrich & Wilkin
Making Makers- James-Thomas
Design, Make, Play: Growing the Next Generation of STEM Innovators- Honey & Kanter
Make_Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration- Doorley & Witthoft