Makerspaces in Academic LibrariesPresented by

Edward IglesiasSystems Librarian

Central Connecticut State University

Public Libraries + Maker Space = A Good Fit

Academic Libraries are Slightly Different

April 2013 Report on 3D Printing in Libraries Around the World

Similarities

• A community with needs• A centralized space• The ability to be a neutral good

Differences

• Some of these resources already exist on campus.– Engineering might have 3D Printers– Art might have laser cutters– Welding and soldering stations possible in many

different disciplines

Differences Continued

• A question of mission– Does scholarly research or teaching take the lead?– What about community building?

• Is this someone’s pet project already?

What is it?

• “Makerspaces organize tools, materials and expertise to help a community of people work on projects”

– What Makes a Maker Space Panel Discussion on Make: Live Stage at World Maker Faire 2012• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFIyQ9SBeWU

Libraries are Aware

• LITA Forum 2013 Call for Proposals

• Possible ideas for topics might include:• Maker spaces/Maker Movement

– Creation of New Library Spaces– Data Curation– Discovery– User Experience– Web Services– Coding – Digital Libraries– Institutional Repositories

» http://www.ala.org/lita/conferences/forum/2013

'Makerspace' event helps kick off U.S. Department of Education bus tour across America

The MENTOR Makerspace program has a goal of introducing low-cost makerspaces into 1,000 high schools over the next three years. It will provide information and training for teachers along with software design tools and hardware for use in a school environment. The first round of 10 pilot schools are located in Northern California.

Student Expectations

Why?“From collections to connections”– David Lankes

Space for Creation, Not Just Consumption

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

– http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/10/public-services/the-makings-of-maker-spaces-part-1-space-for-creation-not-just-consumption/

A Maker Space and CCSU Library’s Strategic Direction

A new 21st century mission:

“The Elihu Burritt Library … satisfies the 21st century learning

and research needs of its community of learners by

facilitating knowledge creation, inspiring intellectual curiosity and

lifelong learning.”

So You Wanna Build a Makerspace?

What Fayetteville has

De La Mare(University of Nevada, Reno)

• 2 3D printers, a 3D scanner • 2 button makers, • about a dozen arduino kits, soldering kits, • AR Drones

• We've converted a lot of the space that once held books to make room for collaborative space and entire walls painted in whiteboard paint.

• We've held a lockpicking workshop in partnership with Reno's local• makerspace, Bridgewire: http://www.renobridgewire.org/, here in

the library where over 80 people attended. We worked with them to offer a student membership as well.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Do your users want it?• Where will you put it?• Noise?• Power?

Planning is Important

What are your strengths

Kindle Pi

Whatever you’re good at.

Espresso Book Machine?

Natural Allies

• Robotics• Engineering• Biology• Chemistry• Art

All can use a 3D printer

You Need a 3D Printer

The Past (2011)

• Watch this video• http://youtu.be/HCXlJ36x-q0

The Present

• Archive of Makerspaces: A New Wave of Library Services

http://alatechsource.org/blog/2012/10/archive-of-makerspaces-a-new-wave-of-library-services-westport-ct-public-library.html

Oh yeah, that’s them.

The Future?

• Prepare for ubiquity. As omnipresent as printers.

• Focus on design.• If you don’t provide this service, others will.

Staples to Offer In-Store 3D Printing

• Soon, Staples customers will be able to peruse office supplies while waiting for their 3D project to be printed.

• The big-box store announced this week that its Printing Systems Division will work with Mcor Technologies Ltd. to launch a new 3D printing service, dubbed "Staples Easy 3D."

• The program, however, will initially only have limited availability in the Netherlands and Belgium

– http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412697,00.asp

They aren’t kidding around

• Watch this video• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play

er_embedded&v=bnn-ACoMw4w

3D Printed items from Makerbot

Thingiverse

A Portable Makerspace

• Organize events including crafting.• Teach classes (Arduino, soldering, Raspberry

Pi, Fabric Arts etc…)• Take the makerspace idea into classrooms to

promote as you would any other resource.

Resources

• Online resource for librarian makers– http://www.makerlibrarian.com/

• The magazine you need to read– http://makezine.com/

• My links to various sites– https://pinboard.in/u:edwardiglesias/t:makerspac

e/

– Very cool flickr stream from UNR– http://www.flickr.com/photos/dstl_unr

Suggested readings

Roadmap

• Ask you users• Have a Fair• Contact other stakeholders• Do it