Facilitator: Chris Schlesselman, Applications and Sales Engineer for the Paton group
Note taker: Lorrita Ford, College of San Mateo Library
Participants: 12+
Participants were interested in learning more about makerspaces in general, sharing ideas for makerspace equipment, tools, and space planning for new or remodeled libraries.
Library Role/Rationale for Makerspace
- Incubator
- Test bed
- Prototyping
- Space where it is OK to explore and not fail.
- Collaborative/Cross fertilizing space: Diverse across ages, programs, interests, status.
- Fosters collaboration with academic disciplines and other libraries
- Provide open access to “Making” culture.
- Promotion of “Citizen Science”
- Outreach: bring in new patrons
- Support Innovation
- Support Entrepreneurship
- Support for curriculum
- Support for Research
- Attractive Nuisance?
- Support for Basic Skills students who might not otherwise have exposure: level playing field.
Activities/Services/Workshops
- 3D printing
- Terrariums
- Arduino
- MaKeyMaKey
- Kites
- Salsa Dancing
- Duct Tape Crafts
- Geodesic Domes from soda straws and brads
- Jewelry
- Soldering
- Bicycle Lights
- Masks
- Solar Cars
- Smart Phone Astrophotography
- Yarn bombing
- Knitting/crocheting
- LED jack-o-lanterns
- Words-on-the move (magnetic poetry)
- Tool lending library
- Open Studio
- Recycling used Clothes into new fashion
- e-textiles- soft thread connected to battery unit
- MIT bicycle glove
- Holiday ornaments
- Etching
- Woodwork
- Games
- Puzzles
Locations/Spaces
- Open space in Library
- Enclosed room in Library
- Enclosed room outside of Library
Audience
- Faculty
- Students
- Staff
- Community
Staffing
- Students
- Staff
- Volunteers
- Faculty
Partners
- Student Clubs
- Academic Departments
- Career and Technical Programs
- Corporations
- Foundations
Equipment
- 3D Printers
- Button making machines
- Arduino Kits
- SparkFun Kits
- Sewing Machines
- Hammers
- Power Drills
- 3D Scanners
- Craft supplies Paper
- Yarn
- Media Equipment
- Cameras
- Laser cutters
- Post it notes
- Whiteboards
- Legos
- Tinkertoys
Funding Sources
- IT Department
- Library Funds
- Institution Innovation Grants
- External Grants
- Charging for access/services/materials
Resources/Examples/Inspiration
- Maker Faire and related resources: http://makerfaire.com/; http://makezine.com/,
- www.makershed.com/ , Mini Maker Faire: http://makerfaire.com/mini/
- Meyer Library Stanford: http://www.stanforddaily.com/2014/04/16/meyer-library-launches-new-community-operated-workplace/
- Stanford Product Realization Labs: https://productrealization.stanford.edu/
- College of San Mateo Makerspace: http://www.collegeofsanmateo.edu/library/makerspace.php
- Mt. Holyoke: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~mstettne/5Clightning_talks/proposaldescriptions.html
- Mt Holyoke Button making Machine: Library, Information, and Technology Services purchased a button-making machine to support outreach and marketing initiatives. Has been used it at a variety of events. The button maker facilitates positive interactions with students, fostering an atmosphere of approachability and engagement, and has led to the distribution of hundreds of LITS-related buttons across campus. Vendor: http://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/
- Jet Propulsion Lab: https://beacon.jpl.nasa.gov/3d-printer
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 3D Printer: http://blogs.lib.unc.edu/news/index.php/2014/04/meet-the-makerbot-librarys-3-d-printer-at-carolina-maker-fair-april-24/
- Mountain View Public Library: http://mvplibrary.org/maker/
- MIT Fab Lab: http://www.fabfoundation.org/about-us/
- University of North Carolina: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/spaces/makerspace
- 3D Printers and Resources:
- Paton Group (conference sponsor): http://www.patongroup.com/product-177-3D-Printers-Demo-Videos-Product_Overview.html
- 3D Printing files and software:
- http://www.thingiverse.com
- http://grabcad.com
- 3D Scanner: http://www.nextengine.com/
Comments/Takeaways:
- Many participants interested in learning about space planning for new and remodeled Libraries. Demand for use of space for more than books; patron inquiry’s about 3D printing.
- Projects can take a lot of time.
- How to run and support makerspaces an ongoing issue for many existing projects
- How to make makerspace sustainable over long term.
- How to get returns on investment (charge back for supplies? membership?)
- Space doesn’t have to be in the Library
- Makerspaces do not have to be exclusively “high tech”
- Hard to get sustainable support for staffing and maintaining equipment.
- Change is difficult: Sometimes integration of new project/program needs to be forced
- Retrofitting or repurposing existing space is often challenging or impossible due to ventilation and hazardous waste issues
- Ideation is needed in all fields – library a neutral collaborator
- Ask students what they want to make.. Simple beginnings often mature into more ambitious projects.
- In some cases will need to make a case and create demand
- There are natural ties to mechanical engineering, biological sciences
- Makerskpace can be an extension of the classroom or lab.
- Lots of funding available for “additive manufacturing” initiatives; especially for institutions.
- Start small and be successful.
- Money follows success.
- Maintain vision and effort: eventually project will turn the right heads
- Lots of concern about liability: Waivers/Insurance: What if someone gets hurt? Refuse to Print Policies? UNC state has a policy about printing.
- Making the case: use cases for needing to replicate – Protection of rare and vulnerable objects: Smithsonian project to print prototypes for research
- Raw .stl is not the most desirable output for 3D printing
- There are Makerspace Vans that visit locations: http://mobilemakerspace.com/
- Columbia University Library posts pictures of 3d print jobs: http://3dprint.cul.columbia.edu/?cat=8
STELLA Unconference 