On the front lines 2014

Editor's Notes

• #2: Thank you so much for having us here today. We actually got our start in Springfield through ILEAD USA. We were a part of last year’s cohort, and our main idea was to bring maker culture to libraries -- there are so many ways to take part of that world, no matter what resources you’re working with or what kind of population uses your library.
• #3: Katy First, what is the maker movement? It’s an evolving concept, that can include some of the following...
• #4: Katy innovation = making things better social = engaging with materials and tools and others
• #5: Amy Why should we care? Why should libraries get involved? Is this just the latest trend, or is this of lasting value and relevance? We would make the argument that yes, this is important, and it’s not as hard as it looks to get on board. Libraries and makers share many common principles - creativity, resource-sharing, community outreach, empowerment. It’s a natural fit. New model for libraries: we need to provide opportunities for people to truly engage in their libraries through content creation. We don’t want to replace traditional content consumption (i.e., circulation) - these two library models can (and do) coexist already, as we’ll see in a few slides... Makers are already awesome. They by and large want to share knowledge, be supportive, and engage with their communities. We should be their #1 partner in crime. Finding ways to implement the maker movement at your library on even the most simple of ways will help engage your community in new ways. The maker movement is still defining itself and this is our opportunity to have a role in that definition.
• #6: Amy What are some examples, from some of our dream spaces to what is practical for most libraries.
• #7: Amy the kind of space you think of when someone says “makerspace” focused on adults host regular workshops that are free and open to the public (even those w/o CPL cards) they described themselves as an intro to more traditional makerspaces like pumping station one in Chicago or TechShop (around the country)
• #8: Amy Their philosophy is keeping the space fluid. infusion of traditional crafts and new technology. Heavier art focus.
• #9: Amy participatory space community experiment ownership
• #10: Amy No dedicated space. take home kits
• #11: Vicki
• #12: Vicki We found a developer who could utilize the API - shout out to Sean!
• #13: Liz We indexed instructables for librarians Search tags, full text tools/space, age, cost, time per project
• #14: Liz Adapted from Travis Good.
• #15: Liz Activity Ready: No serious tools, no committed space, one-sitting project A one-off activity that can be done in a multi-use space and often using traditional library materials or arts and crafts materials. These types of projects are already found in many libraries.
• #16: Liz recurring group Project Group Ready: No serious tools, no committed space, recurring meeting An ongoing meetup - like sewing groups, robotics groups, linux groups - that meet in a multi-use space. May not often create final projects, but they do use the library space.
• #17: Liz Temporary Tool Ready: Pack-away tools, no committed space Projects that can be made with a reusable or replenish-able kit and/or using tools that can be packed away after the project is completed; for example, electronics kits, arduino kits, soldering irons, sewing machines, etc. Rarely seen in libraries today, but an area of great potential.
• #18: Liz Temporary Tool Ready: Pack-away tools, no committed space Projects that can be made with a reusable or replenish-able kit and/or using tools that can be packed away after the project is completed; for example, electronics kits, arduino kits, soldering irons, sewing machines, etc. Rarely seen in libraries today, but an area of great potential.
• #19: Liz Clean Tool Ready: Committed clean tools in a committed space A dedicated space for making has been established in the library and the space has dedicated clean tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, egg bots, etc.
• #20: Liz Dirty Tool Ready: Committed dirty tools in a committed space A dedicated space for making that offers tools like saws, large drills, etc. which are dirty and noisy. Only one library has this kind of space right now - Allen County Public Library.
• #21: Katy no space, but wanted to experiment with making (Katy: Materials for Shrinky Dinks - Talk to Vicki)
• #22: Liz no space, but wanted to experiment with making (Liz?) Dollar Store items can make this OR--get kits (more conducive to running actual program)
• #23: Liz no space, but wanted to experiment with making
• #24: Vicki This was actually a project I did with adults. Normally, I’m youth services all the way but my old library asked if I could come in and do this project as something special. (Because I had ONCE worked with duct tape -- what the heck? I’m game.)
• #25: A simple concept - explain how it works We tried it. Doesn’t work.
• #26: Katy Here are a few things that we have found helpful when implementing maker projects, and things we’ve heard from others. We consider this a good set of guidelines when working toward a maker project or movement in your own space. From Megan Clark at New Braunfels Public Library: Don’t feel like you have to know everything. You have just as much to learn from patrons as they do from you. Have safety policies/standards. Have clear descriptions so people know what to expect when signing up.
• #27: Vicki
• #28: Amy
• #29: Liz
• #30: Katy
• #31: Katy