The Makerspace

Hello, it’s Carly again here writing to introduce you to makerspaces!

Makerspaces.com defines a makerspace as “a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools.  These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, cnc machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines.  A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace.  If you have cardboard, legos and art supplies you’re in business.” You can read the rest of that article here.

All the rage in makerspaces lately are libraries that are lucky enough to have a 3D printer. Many library 3D printers have been put to use lately creating face shields and other PPE for healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. American Library Magazine talks about this a bit here. Right here in San Diego, public libraries are using their 3D printers to do this, read more on that here.

Here are some example makerspace set-ups:

Makerspaces inspire creativity and can also integrate other disciplines to aid in learning. I used the Palomar College library database ERIC to find the following articles that may entice you to learn more.

Expanding School Library Collections: The Makerspace Edition

• ·         This article goes into different strategies for creating a makerspace within a school library, including how to make room and to move past the “Oooh shiny!” aspects of the space and really integrate and curate it as part of the overall collection. Includes different methods of implementation from different school librarians.

  
  
  Problem Scoping Design Thinking and Close Reading: Makerspaces in the School Library
    
  
  
  • This article goes into the science of creating and how design thinking relates to literacy. 

    
    
    Materials-to-Develop-with:The Making of a Makerspace
    
    
    
    
    • This article includes a study and goes into the making of makerspaces and how to design them with learning in mind.
      
      
      
      
      With some care, a makerspace that is both within budget and also useful and inspires learning across a variety of disciplines is achievable and a wonderful addition to a library, whether it is a school library or public. I was personally intimidated the first time I encountered a 3D printer and with a little coaching, I now think I could create something with one. And if your library cannot obtain a 3D printer? There are many other creative ways a makerspace can be implemented on a budget. We are only limited by our imaginations.
      
      
      Carly Janine Gutierrez
      4/28/20
      
      
      Works Cited
      
      
      Blakemore, M. (2018). Problem Scoping Design Thinking and Close Reading: Makerspaces in the School Library. Knowledge Quest, 46(4), 66–69.
      
      
      Keune, A., & Peppler, K. (2019). Materials-to-Develop-with: The Making of a Makerspace. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(1), 280–293.
      
      
      Robertson, N. D. (2019). Expanding School Library Collections: The Makerspace Edition. Knowledge Quest, 48(2), 8–14.