That's one small step for ... makerspaces!

Sometimes we do NOT want to make a great big leap.  Just one small step will do just fine, thank you very much!  

That is how I was feeling as I began to learn about makerspaces. 

    These are spaces devoted to learning through inquiry where the student has control of the pace, materials, design, and final product.  Dr. Moorefield-Lang shares a Laura Fleming quote in her video, explaining that a makerspace is “a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play and open-ended exploration for all” (2018).  This quote does not quite reveal the real advantage that a makerspace brings to education.  Consider this: “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” (Britton, 2012).  That is a big bang for the buck and that is why I made the decision to investigate HOW to go about starting the program at my high school library.   But first, I needed to peek over someone’s shoulder. 

Katie Jones, a former student at the University of South Carolina, created a curated list of resources, and one section, in particular, is especially helpful.  She has collected “Success Stories,” links to librarians that have established maker spaces and are generous enough to share with beginners.  You can find those on her Evernote. 

There I found a link to a blog called “The Daring Librarian” and a trio of posts that work beautifully together!  It is kind of fun to watch the progression of her posts.   

    Here is her first baby step: a blog entitled "Makerspace starter kit" from  June 

6, 2015.  (click to link)

     She describes the study carrels she adapted to be her re-purposed spot.  Her materials include duct tape and Legos.  She shares some good storage ideas (spring-loaded curtain rod to hold the tape rolls!) and links to fundraising ideas. 

    But as her confidence grows… a new post appears a few years later. 

This post shares more detail on materials that have been useful and successful.  Her hints like “The Way of the Lego” (a set of guidelines on the use of Legos were a lifesaver!) and her admonition to “let the kiddos put it all together and figure it out.  And they did!” (Jones, 2018).

This last post was actually the first post I discovered (and then proceeded to work my way backward).  I was delighted by what she promoted: TP and paper towel roll building blocks, origami, and a take-apart-old-technology challenge. 

    Each of her blogs has links that show a newbie the way toward success.  While she is heavy into Legos, there is plenty of innovative and low-cost "baby steps" you can take as you explore the benefits of a makerspace in your library.

Resources:

Britton, L. (2012). The Makings of Maker Spaces. Library Journal, 137(16), 20–23.

Jones, G. (2018, August 25). Makerspace Starter Kit Updated. The Daring Librarian.  https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2018/08/makerspace-starter-kit-updated.html

Jones, K. (2016, March 21.) Digital curation: A makerspace guide.  Evernote. https://www.evernote.com/shard/s210/client/snv?noteGuid=243a99ba-a99a-4afb-8a7e-92f19ec7853e&noteKey=b65a5cb0af531c79582b3035157c220a&sn=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evernote.com%2Fshard%2Fs210%2Fsh%2F243a99ba-a99a-4afb-8a7e-92f19ec7853e%2Fb65a5cb0af531c79582b3035157c220a&title=Digital%2Bcuration%253A%2BA%2Bmakerspace%2Bguide

Moorefield-Lang, H. (2018, October 29). Makerspaces 761 [Video]. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBsEHD0XE6E&feature=youtu.be