The Value of Makerspaces in Libraries and Schools, by Elizabeth Burnett

     The Library as Makerspace defines the goals of a Makerspace as to “Spur innovation and artistic expression through hands-on experiences; Collaborate with the community to explore talents, skills, and expertise; Build technology confidence and integrate technologies into our services, spaces, and processes”

    The Carlsbad City Library’s recently opened HUB offers a 3D printer, VHS to digital conversion, Final Cut software, Photoshop, GarageBand, photo scanning, Silhouette Cameo 2 Cutter, and beginning classes in things like TinkerCad and Arduino. This is all free for the general public. These sorts of spaces offer everyday people the opportunity to use technology for a few small projects that would be cost-prohibitive for them to purchase on their own.

    Makerspaces in schools are also important because they allow students an opportunity to learn about things like circuitry and basic robotics, things that most people don’t learn about every day but are useful skills in a technology-driven era, and that teach problem solving skills.

    The School Library Journal has an interesting article about starting a Makerspace at a high school, http://www.slj.com/2015/01/technology/creating-a-school-library-maker-space-the-beginning-of-a-journey-tech-tidbits/#_ . In this article, the author discusses how he funded his project with DonorsChoose.org, while other people may be able to use Kickstarter or GoFundMe, and with applying for grants from educational foundations. He was actually able to purchase a 3D printer for his high school. This is pretty amazing that a librarian who describes himself as not a tech expert could bring all this about.

References

http://librarymakerspace.blogspot.com/