1. Makerspaces @ UNCG
Libraries
presented 6/3/14 for LIS 688 class
by Michelle + Brown + Beth

2. In the chat, type ONE word
that describes a makerspace
to you...

4. WHEN WE ARE BORN, WE HAVE TWO SKILLS:
[COMPLAINING] AND [PROCESSING FOOD].
THE REST, WE HAVE TO LEARN.

5. The plan was ...
● Purchase and setup 3D Printer (August 2013)
● Install software on publicly accessible machines
● Train personnel in its use
● Set policies and procedures
● Track its usage and Digital Media Commons (DMC)
attendance

6. Our plan...
● Purchase and setup 3D Printer (August 2013)
● Install software on publicly accessible machines
● Train personnel in its use
● Set policies and procedures
● Track its usage and Digital Media Commons (DMC)
attendance

7. http://youtu.be/uz3g3aCp0A0 | http://uncg.libguides.com/makerspace

8. what actually happened....
● Purchase and Setup 3D Printer. (August 2013)
● Install software on publicly accessible machines.
● Watch 3d printer work for about three days.
● One day, return to it broken.
● Email tech support.
● Return parts.
● Install new parts.
● Go back to “Email tech support” and repeat.
● After two weeks of repeating, send unit back to manufacturer.
● finally have a working 3d printer!
.... now its December 2013!

9. what went wrong?
● Was the system unattended for too long?
● Was it improper use by students or staff?
● Trick question: nothing went “wrong”
When we make a plan and it succeeds, we learn very little.
When we make a plan and it fails, we learn very quickly.
Failure is inevitable - emphasis on LEARNING, not blaming.

10. Embrace the Maker
•PATIENCE
•Things will go wrong. Iterations is a core value.
•You and your patrons (and possibly your supervisor) will get frustrated.
•PLANNING
•What happens when things break?
•What happens when we get frustrated?
•SAFETY
•Can we do this without getting hurt?
•Can we feel safe enough to try something new, and work through the
consequences?

11. Make your makerspace safe for failures
...er... learning!
● Invite exploration
● Encourage users to communicate when something
goes amiss
● Be prepared for frustration
● Refrain from blame
● Get support from administration up front
● Gather collaborative partners
● Involve flexible, passionate people

12. SPRING 2014
3d printer open to public Feb 1, 2014
Libguide for info: uncg.libguides.com/makerspace
Google form + bring file to DMC desk or submit it via email
2/2 - 6/2 = 88 print requests
● only 13 specified it was for a class project
● about 54 unique users
● 10 requests was most from one person
● some request had multiple items in one file
● about a dozen failed requests

13. “makerspaces are not necessarily born out of a
specific set of materials or spaces, but rather a
mindset of community partnership,
collaboration, and creation.”
- from the Library as Incubator project http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=4594

14. Next Steps... starting July 1, 2014
our mobile makerspace (M2 ?), experiential learning grant
project funded by LSTA
● integrate workshops/assignments into several LIS
courses this academic year
● host online and f2f workshops each month
● have a makerspace conference midyear
● recruit several practicum students to work with
academic departments on projects

15. YOU
Our Grant
Team
A UNCG
Academic Dept
What projects do
you think would be
interesting?

16. Beth (efwilli3@uncg.edu), Michelle (m_folkma@uncg.edu), Brown
(fbbigger@uncg.edu)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/86979666@N00/7623744452/

17. Resources + Links
● UNCG Libraries Makerspace guide
● Makerspaces @ UNCG Google + Community
● How to Fail at Makerspace webinar