The library service in Kent, for example, provides Digital Dens for young people at set times in various libraries throughout the county with their Makercarts, providing valuable access to tools and resources for creative learning. This means they are also useful for piloting or testing out new services and ideas. These kind of makerspaces can be set up when (and where) needed. Pop-up makerspaces are an option for libraries that don’t have a permanent space available but want to offer makerspace activities to their users. The makerspace here is a natural extension of the public libraries role as a knowledge sharing space and a community education provider. Hannelore Vogt, library director, described the role of their makerspace as enabling them to “impart know-how outside the regular education system and thereby contribute to extending people’s equality of opportunity.” The City Library of Cologne’s makerspace is a permanent space on the 4th floor of the main library. This space may be open to all during library hours, by appointment or available only to members. The most common type of maker space is in the form of a permanent, dedicated space. The makerspace as a permanent learning space But it helps demonstrate some of the different ways you can implement a makerspace in the library. Now, these categories listed below aren’t definitive and libraries often might combine approaches or evolve their approach over time. Makerspaces often get talked about as a single definitive thing but in reality they come in lots of different shapes and sizes. As a result, libraries are also playing an increasing role as a place of creativity in the community.Īccess and knowledge sharing have always been at the heart of libraries and these two things are also a key part of any makerspaces.
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A makerspace can be a great innovative and welcoming way for users of all ages to learn how to confidently, safely and creatively use digital tools and resources.Ī shift away from physical collections has also freed up library spaces. In order to support our users and our communities in participating in an increasingly digital world, we need to be able to support them in accessing and engaging with emerging technologies. But the goalposts of digital literacy continue to move. To add further complication, you might also encounter makerspaces by other names such as fab labs, hackerspaces, idea labs and more.įirst, why have makerspaces found such an affinity with libraries?įor one, libraries play a pivotal role in supporting and promoting digital literacy in their communities. And while this is often enabled and enhanced by emerging technologies, how these are incorporated into the space varies widely. Makerspaces aren’t an easy thing to define – but in their many different guises, makerspaces are places for collaborative and creative learning. Since the first library makerspace opened in a library (arguably The Edge at the State Library of Queensland in 2010) library makerspaces have continued to appear and to evolve. It’s become hard to avoid talk of makerspaces in libraries.