Strategic Partnerships in the Library Makerspace

Edward IglesiasSystems Librarian

Central Connecticut State University

Who do we partner with?

• The Mad Scientist• The Inventor• The Computer (Remember people used to be

“computers”, it was a job title.

The Mad Scientist

• Dr. Thomas Burkholder,• Professor of Chemistry

at CCSU• Secret Project…

The Florence Siphon

• A very Steampunk way of brewing coffee. Dr.Burkholder has agreed to do a demo perhaps involving a pith helmet and brass goggles.

The Inventor

• Dr. Thamma Ravindra• Professor in Robotics

Department at CCSU• Want to stage FIRST

Robotics competitions in library.

The Computer

• Dr. Robert Shumaker• Professor of MIS• Wants to introduce his

classes to 3D printing and physical computing.

Public vs Academic

Public• Community described by

geography.• Able to tap local civic and

charitable organizations.• Community highly diverse in

age, education etc…

Academic• Community described by

membership.• Able to get funding

internally or from grants.• Community more

homogeneous.

Build To Your Strengths

Understand what your community wants.

You decide.

Make a List of What You Have

Suggested readings

Online Resources

• Makerspaces in Libraries Google Plus Community– https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/

117274577818142707955• Code4lib– http://code4lib.org/

• LITA– http://www.ala.org/lita/