Makers @ the Library: Especially for Librarians

A makerspace is an area in a library where users can use tools and equipment to design, build, and create all sorts of different things. It may be a dedicated room or a multipurpose space into which a collection of raw materials and resources can be utilized as desired. Projects range from prototyping product designs with 3D printers to programming robots to creating art out of recycled items. This book will help librarians develop and implement makerspaces, write grant proposals to fund such spaces, and help front line staff and administrators learn about the technologies and processes involved. Makerspaces: A Practical Guide for Librarians is aimed at assisting librarians in public, academic, and school libraries to build and grow DIY (do-it-yourself) spaces opportunities in their libraries. Understand the mindset behind the maker movement, learn how to assess patron needs, and create a budget for and equip your own space. The book will provide useful case studies, descriptions of technology, and models for planning and assessing makerspace projects.

Spacse have been designed to allow users t create, build, and learn new projects and technologies, makerspaces employ a variety of tools such as 3-D printers, AutoCAD design software, and even open-source hardware like Arduino Kits. Developing a communty around shared use of space and equipment, a tenet of the makerspace movement, fits squarely into libraries' mission. Bagley examines nine mkerspaces in public, academic, and school libraries, describing their design and technical decisions in depth and showing how each is doing something unique and different, under a wide range of budgets and project offerings. A sourcebook of ideas that readers can apply at their own institutions, Bagley's guide * Defines the makerspace, and describes why it fits perfectly into the library's role as community center * Answers common questions about implementing a makerspace project, detailing how libraries are addressing issues such as registration, usage policy, noise, software programs in digital workspaces, adapting spaces, funding, and promotion * Illustates aaproaches libraries are taking to staffing makerspacwes, from Anchorage Public Library's Maker in Residence and Mesa Public Library's THINKspot coordinator, tot he library school studenrs involved with University of Michigan and University of Illinois makerspace projects

The roles of school library media specialists and school libraries themselves are ever changing in response to the needs of the community and the evolution of human thinking, interaction, and learning processes. A school library makerspace can provide patrons with a place for learning, doing, and creating. It offers a location for tackling inventions, fine arts, crafts, industrial technology, hobbies, e-textiles, foodcrafting, DIY couture, fabrication, upcycling, and STEM right in the middle of the information gateway--the library. This book completely explains the makerspace concept and supplies real-world implementation guidance and inexpensive programming ideas that can be used as-is or adapted to suit a specific library or community's needs. Readers will be able to hit the ground running to implement their own makerspace with practical project ideas they can put to use immediately.

How to STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in Libraries is by and for libraries who are involved in contributing efforts into advancing these subjects. It is organized in 9 parts including funding, grant writing, community partnerships, outreach, research, and examples of specific programming activities. Authors are drawn from the professional staffs of educational institutions, libraries, and non-profit organizations such as science museums. The book contains eight parts, each emphasizing a different aspect of how to succeed with STEM. Part 1 emphasizes how hands-on activities that are both fun and educational can be used to further STEM awareness. Parts 2 and 3 contain chapters on the uniting of STEM with Information Literacy. Innovative collection development ideas are discussed in Part 4 and Part 5 focuses on research and publishing. Outreach is the theme of Part 6 and the programs described in these chapters offer an array of ways to connect with students of all ages. The final section of How to STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in Libraries addresses the funding of these programs. Librarians of all types will be pleased to discover easy-to-implement suggestions for collaborative efforts, many rich and diverse programming ideas, strategies for improving reference services and library instruction to speakers of English as a second language, marketing and promotional tips designed to welcome multicultural patrons into the library, and much more.