Big Talk From Small Libraries 2019: Make a Mini Makerspace
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The document discusses the development of mini makerspaces in the North Riverside Library, focusing on community needs and patron feedback that shaped the project. It outlines the library’s strategic planning, budgeting, and grant applications to create engaging spaces for various age groups, emphasizing creativity and technology access. Various programming, including a memory preservation lab and a kids' makerspace, have been established to enhance library services and promote active learning.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2019: Make a Mini Makerspace
- 1. BIG TALK FROM SMALL LIBRARIES Making Mini Makerspaces Speakers: Lizzy Boden, Adult Services Librarian Britney Musial, Teen/Tween Librarian
- 2. PLAN Why Makerspaces? About North Riverside Patron Surveys and Feedback Our Response – Making the Makerspaces Making it Work Tips and Tricks
- 3. WHY MAKERSPACES? Responsive to patron needs Creative way to do what libraries have always strived to do: provide education, information, and entertainment Coding, crafting, access to technology Engages patrons even more fully – and a great way to show what all libraries have to offer in the 21st century
- 4. ABOUT NORTH RIVERSIDE LIBRARY AND THE COMMUNITY 22,000 square foot building opened in June 1999 The estimated population of the Library District is 6,672 4,500 residents holding library cards which represents about 67% of the total population Main Floor – Circulation, Young Adult section, Adult section, Meeting Room, one Computer Lab with 6 public computers, one Study Room/Office Lower Level – Children’s Department, Storytime Room, two public computers, two Study Rooms, extra under-stair space
- 5. LOCAL SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS Komarek - Kindergarten to 8th grade Cornerstone Montessori School – 15 months to 6 years old Village of North Riverside (across the street) – Preschool (2 to 4 years old) Parks and Recreation Department – Programs for All Ages
- 6. WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY NEED? Suggestion boxes placed around the library Main Floor Circulation taking notes from conversations with patrons Lower Level Youth Services Help Desk staff members took notes Teen Advisory Board Meetings (6 – 12 grade) members meet once a month Adult Town Hall Forum (Adults 20-50) Technology help (ages 50 and older)
- 7. WHAT DID THE COMMUNITY NEED?
- 8. WHAT WE HEARD: Less desire for “flashy” makerspace materials like 3D printers and a lot of interest in things like t-shirt presses, button makers, laminators, and Cricut machines Programs centered around new technologies More basic technology help classes More resources for parents and students Materials/Kits to check out and take home
- 9. WHAT DID WE DO WITH THE FEEDBACK? Created a “Technology Manager” position (our Circulation Manager) Managers met to reconstruct budget to meet the patron needs Applied for multiple grants Talked to Friends and Foundation about potential support Created “Strategic Plan Mini Grants” for staff to suggest ideas to meet patrons needs/strategic plan Re-arranged the library to make more room Began merging storage closets to open up more “rooms” accessible to the public WORK IN PROGRESS!
- 10. WHAT DID WE DO WITH THE FEEDBACK? Re-arranged the library to make more room Moved computers out of computer lab Benefits: Patrons can ask for help more easily Computers are less private Room can now be used as a mini-makerspace! Began merging storage closets to open up more “rooms” accessible to the public Gave us space for three more mini-makerspaces around building – Memory Preservation Lab, Kids’ Makerspace, and Hang Out Nook
- 11. STARTING THE “MAKERSPACE” “Project Next Generation (PNG) offers grant funding to public libraries for establishing educational, after-school programs that not only provide access to computers, software and various technology devices, but also hire mentors who are crucial to helping students develop self-confidence and pride in their newly acquired skills.” First time applying - $25,000 Hired 5 mentors Rest went into technology Technology is kept in “Makerspace” room where old Computer Lab was
- 19. MAKING THE MEMORY PRESERVATION LAB Age Options Grant First time applying - $12,000 to create community spaces/programs for Seniors Only 18 libraries applied for 20 grants – there is money out there! Developed robust programming schedule centered around the theme of “Preserving Our Memories” Created Digital Preservation Lab out of unused first-floor office VHS-DVD/USB Converter, Slide Converter, Photo Scanner, 8mm Converter, and more Old TV we had lying around – but had many offers for donations
- 23. MAKING THE HANG OUT NOOK Grades 2-5 Crafting This is where the term “makerspace” can come in Homework Hanging out Coloring Make and Take Bags that have craft supplies in them
- 25. MAKING THE KID’S MAKERSPACE Very beginning of process Have applied for grants to help us construct the room appropriately Toy Library Extra programming room Technology programs for K-4 STEAM Robotics
- 28. What if your library doesn’t have space or the staff and budget are too small?
- 29. CRAFT EXCHANGE Set up directly outside new Makerspace Low staff impact – patrons can take a craft supply OR leave a craft supply Circulation helps by keeping things organized but nothing needs to be catalogued or checked in/out Massive patron response Wealth of donations which we can also use for programs/bring into the Makerspace Facebook post about it went viral Furthers Library/Makerspace mission of expanding creativity and learning
- 31. LIBRARY OF THINGS Slow start, buying as we get the budget So far: Turntables Donated stamp sets Wireless Hotspots Future: Rokus with Netflix Game consoles Cooking Supplies ????
- 33. MAKER KITS Dorr Library: Budget of about 180k, 7 part-time staff members Hopkins District Library: Budget of about 100k, 3 part-time staff members
- 34. STRATEGIC PLANNING MINI GRANTS Staff have the ability to submit an application for an item or program that they feel will help promote the library’s mission Mini Grants can be up to $500 Quarterly meetings take place with 2 Managers and the Director to review these Mini Grants Staff can be approved, turned down, or given some of the money they requested to rework their idea
- 35. MAKING THE SPACE WORK RAILS Classifieds Big Lots (supply budget) Old filing drawers Extra Bookshelves IKEA Amazon Walmart Patron Donations
- 36. FINDING GRANTS There are grants out there that help with library construction and/or space reconfiguration. Apply widely – you won’t get them all, but there is more out there than most people realize. See if you can find a staff member willing or excited to take it on and GIVE THEM THE TIME/RESOURCES – even if it’s just an extra hour off desk a day or taking one other thing off their plate.
- 37. HOW DO WE MANAGE TO KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER? Teen/Tween Makerspace is run by the Teen/Tween Librarian ,Technology Manager. and 5 mentors What do they do? Memory Preservation Room is run by the Senior Services Librarian, Adult Services Librarian, the Technology Manager, and Circulation Staff What do they do?
- 38. HOW DO WE MANAGE TO KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER? Children Makerspace will be run by the Youth Services Manager, Youth Services Assistant ,Youth Services Staff members assistance, and parents are encouraged to be in the room with their children What do they do? Hang Out Nook will be run by the Youth Services Manager, Youth Services Assistant ,Youth Services Staff members assistance What do they do?
- 39. HOW DO WE MANAGE TO KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER? Step-by-Step Resources: Making Space for Active Learning in Your Library - WebJunction
- 40. TIPS AND TRICKS Apply for grants. Just apply! Unsure if you can get it? Apply. Less people apply than you think Survey your community Don’t do it just to do it! Get staff on board This can be a big transition and is extra work, and needs buy-in Surveying community to show needs can really help with this While it’s true we’re going fast and whole hog, you don’t have to! The work can be undertaken slowly and/or in a piecemeal fashion as you get the resources to do it – for example, all our spaces are still very much in process We haven’t even changed the signage yet!
- 42. CONTACT INFORMATION/PICTURES Lizzy: bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org 708-447-0869 ext. 240 Britney: musialb@northriversidelibrary.org 708-447-0869 ext. 235 Facebook: facebook.com/NRPL2400 Instagram: @northriverpl @nrplteenspot
Editor's Notes
- #2: Have facebook (viral craft exchange)/our website/canva – open as different tabs
- #4: Rethinking role of library in community! Doesn’t have to be “3D printers and technology only” – it’s about patron service
- #5: Note that we’re talking about this info so as to give the idea of where we’re coming from – we believe every library can do something similar, but need to change it up based on their resources.
- #6: Komarek – low-income students percentage is 42.5% (2017 Illinois District Report Card)
- #10: AGGRESSIVELY APPLIED – just throw your app out there! Anything else about feedback?
- #14: Challenges?!
- #16: Yes – and maybe here’s a place to talk about the future grants we applied for to refit the space? Challenges for the space without the money
- #20: Merged with backroom desks to open up old office. Donations for help with supplies/packing
- #26: if we don’t receive them, we will fiddle with our budget, ask for volunteers for construction, talk to our Friends and Foundation, and go slowly.
- #30: Talk about taxes?
- #32: Surveys!
- #34: Things like Scrapbooking Kits, Embroidery Kits, Exercise kits (videos with barbells, mats), Canning Kits, Stamping Kits, etc (think Library of Things)
- #37: – some we just applied for are the Loletta D. Fyan grant from the ALA and the Small Libraries Create Smart Spaces grant from OCLC/IMLS/WebJunction. The Illinois Secretary of State also offers one.
- #38: You’re asking your staff to go above and beyond here, and possibly rethink their roles. Some may be okay with it and some will give you some pushback. Find volunteers where/if you can. Adult – teens start at 7th grade – all managers create, run, update, purchase / mentors run, advise, suggest | Senior Services Librarian (creating the programs), Adult Services Librarian (researching and purchasing the equipment), the Technology Manager runs the programs, and Circulation Staff help with scheduling one-on-one Device Advice and sign-ups.
- #39: Run, create, suggest, clean, assist, purchase Part time ys staff member will be running “programs” aka creating make and take items
- #40: Remember about “rethinking role of library in community” at beginning ---- step by step process to learn how to do that!!!!!!!!!!! is a self-paced learning experience to guide your library through the process of rethinking and reconfiguring physical space to make room for active learning and work with your community to create new services and programs.
- #41: or buy items because you THINK the community will like them. Engage the community so you aren’t wasting resources. This is less time intensive than you’d think. Talk about free website resources – we used canva and printed our own stuff