Makerspaces, libraries and education

The John and Stella Graves MakerSpace is an area where members of the University of Maryland community can try new equipment and experiment with all sorts of materials.

A space to unleash creativity and innovation, and located in the popular Terrapin Learning Commons (McKeldin Library’s second floor), the Makerspace models a new environment in the library where students can use technology and tools to create prototypes, experiment and learn. We will also have a list of other fabrication labs on campus soon!

Use a wide array of items, such as our 3D printers, vinyl cutter, soldering kit, and more! This space is located on the second floor of McKeldin Library in the TLC and will be available to use starting in Fall 2014. Makerspace Definition from EDUCAUSE.

Check out the links below to learn more about the Makerspace:

Policies
List of Equipment
3D Printing Request Form
Makerspace Interest Form
Events
Launch UMD is partnering with the iSchool and our MakerSpace

Over the past year , the Fayetteville Free Library (FFL) has enjoyed the successful rollout of its Fabulous Laboratory (Fab Lab), a Maker space that resulted from the library’s commitment to community engagement and innovation. During this time, the library’s staff have been honored to speak about the Fab Lab and to explain not only its success but also the variety of challenges and assumptions that most libraries will face when developing a similar space.

One of the most important contributing factors to FFL’s success is its culture of innovation that requires the team to think beyond the limitations of the past and to imagine a new vision for the community. As part of this culture, FFL has developed a staffing model that takes advantage of our close proximity to Syracuse University’s iSchool, one of the most renowned library and information science schools in our nation.

Maker spaces in libraries are the latest step in the evolving debate over what public libraries’ core mission is or should be. From collecting in an era of scarce resources to curation in an era of overabundant ones, some libraries are moving to incorporate cocreation: providing the tools to help patrons produce their own works of art or information and sometimes also collecting the results to share with other members of the ­community.

Maker spaces promote learning through play; have the potential to demystify science, math, technology, and engineering; and encourage women and under­represented minorities to seek careers in those fields.

Kids gather to make Lego robots; teens create digital music, movies, and games with computers and mixers; and students engineer new projects while adults create prototypes for small business products with laser cutters and 3D printers. Many libraries across the US have developed makerspaces—places to create, build, and craft—and they are experiencing increased visits and demand as a result. For public libraries, they are places to promote community engagement. For academic libraries, they are places where students and faculty feel welcome to do classwork and research.

Fundamentally, makerspaces are a technological leap past library knitting and quilting circles, where patrons and experts have often come together to learn new techniques and train others in a skill. The new tools are a lot flashier, and certainly more expensive than a needle and thread. The cost factor is what makes a makerspace so appealing to library visitors—what one person cannot afford to purchase for occasional use, the library can buy and share with the community.

Have you ever look at a Maker's Notebook and said, "What a waste of money!" You can easily make your own Maker's Notebook. This may not be exactly like the Maker's Notebook, but it's pretty close.

Disclaimer:
I have no responsibility to what following the instructable causes: this includes any damage to yourself, any other person, or any property.

The Maker Movement is everywhere. What is it? How do you “do” it? What is the difference between “maker space” “creation station” “genius hour” and all of these other terms? How can you decide what to do in your own classroom? Here are a few essential resources for you: Reading About the Movement My research …

One evening when I was young, my father confiscated my radio because he said I was playing it too loud (I wasn’t).

Fortunately, I had a bunch of broken down receivers in my room, so I built a new one. In hindsight, this was probably the start of my career as a Maker.

Makers see a need but rather than asking somebody else to address it, they take matters into their own hands and fix things themselves.

What is a Makerspace?
A place where people can collaborate, innovate, and create using information, resources, tools, and collections provided at the library. People can play, tinker, explore, or pursue personal or professional goals.
Goals:
Spur innovation and artistic expression through hands-on experiences
Collaborate with the community to explore talents, skills, and expertise
Build technology confidence and integrate technologies into our services, spaces, and processes

As it turns out, you can make just about anything with a 3-D printer and make it work.

When 12-year-old Minghao of China was diagnosed a couple of months ago with Ewing's sarcoma, a bone cancer typically found in children, his doctors opted for a...

littleBits is an opensource library of electronic modules that snap together with magnets for prototyping, learning and fun.