This document discusses makerspaces in libraries. It defines makerspaces as areas that give users access to technology and equipment to develop ideas. Makerspaces commonly feature tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and circuitry equipment. The document argues that libraries are a natural place for makerspaces because they are places of research, learning, and serving community needs. It provides examples of makerspace projects and curriculum ideas, and discusses the makerspace at UNCG which has a CNC router, 3D printers, and 3D scanners. Future plans may include adding more tools and technologies depending on funding.
What are makerspaces and why are they in libraries
1. MAKERSPACES Who are these makers &
what are they doing in my
IN LIBRARIES stacks?
2. DEFINE TERMS:
Maker Movement: what happens when the limits of cost and complexity are
removed from imagination.
Makerspace: an area devoted to the development of ideas by giving users
access to technology, equipment and an engaged community.
Maker: anyone who makes something.
4. MAKER TECH
Commonly associated with,
but definitely not limited to:
3D Printing
Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
Laser Cutting/Engraving
Circuitry
5. WHY IN THE LIBRARY?
A library is a natural convergence of curriculums and communities.
Research is not just about reading, but experiential learning.
As the technologies evolve, so do the needs of the users.
As needs evolve, so must the library.
6. CURRICULUM IDEAS
Arts: dynamic and interactive displays and presentations
Astronomy: detailed models of celestial objects
Biology: scanning and reproduction of bones, muscles and organs
Chemistry: systems for data measurement and processing
Education: educational manipulatives
Physics: creation of complex gears and machines
Mathematics: tangible representations of theoretical objects.
7. WHAT ARE WE DOING AT
UNCG?
CAMStudio: an off-campus segment of the Interior Architecture
department.
Currently has:
CNC routers
3D Printers
3D scanners
Laser cutter
Digital Media Commons: the lower level of the library.
8. FUTURE PLANS & IDEAS
Depending on funding and scope
3D Printers: http://www.makerbot.com and http://www.uprint3dprinting.com/
3D Scanning: http://www.nextengine.com/
Arduino kits http://www.arduino.cc
MakeyMakey: http://makeymakey.com/
Snap Circuits: http://www.elenco.com/product/productdetails/snap_circuits
Legos: http://www.lego.com
Sugru: http://sugru.com/
9. OTHER EXAMPLE LIBRARIES
Westport Public Library - Connecticut :
http://www.westportlibrary.org/services/maker-space
University of Nevada, Reno – DeLaMare Science and Engineering Library:
http://www.delamare.unr.edu/
NC State University – Hunt Library Makerspace:
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/spaces/makerspace
Talk about the maker movement as the culmination of individuals being allowed to experiment with technology in an environment where time, money and skill are no longer the primary restrictions to development. Makerspaces allow materials and resources to be centralized.
The Industrial revolution was borne out of a need for efficient production, leading to faster economic development. The information revolution came from a critical mass of widely available documentation, literature and composition. The imagination revolution is what happens to ideas when industry and information are commonplace.
3d Printing – MakerbotCNC – ShopbotLasercuttingCircuitry – Arduino and MakeyMakey
Convergence is the literal center of the libraries’ function. A library must be able to accommodate the needs of many stakeholders, across many pursuits.To research is to pull from those who have established conclusions, but to research is to discover new ones as well.Patrons will always have intellectual needs, but those needs change over time.The role of the library is to fulfill those needs in a manner that best suits the whole community.