This document discusses makerspaces in academic libraries. It notes some similarities and differences between public and academic libraries regarding makerspaces. While public libraries are a good fit for makerspaces, academic libraries already have some related resources on campus in departments like engineering and art. The document provides examples of makerspaces at different universities and considerations for starting a makerspace, such as identifying user needs, finding space, managing noise and power needs, and identifying potential partners. It emphasizes the importance of planning and highlights how makerspaces can promote learning, creativity, and skills in areas like STEM.

1. Makerspaces in Academic
Libraries
Presented by
Edward Iglesias
Systems Librarian
Central Connecticut State University

2. Public Libraries + Maker Space = A
Good Fit

3. Academic Libraries are Slightly
Different

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

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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

11. '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.

12. Student Expectations

13. Why?
“From collections to connections”–
David Lankes

14. 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/

15. 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.”

16. So You Wanna Build a
Makerspace?

17. What Fayetteville has

18. 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.

19. Things to Keep in Mind
• Do your users want it?
• Where will you put it?
• Noise?
• Power?

20. Planning is Important

21. What are your strengths

22. Kindle Pi

23. Whatever you’re good at.

24. Espresso Book Machine?

25. Natural Allies
• Robotics
• Engineering
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Art
All can use a 3D printer

26. You Need a 3D Printer

27. The Past (2011)
• Watch this video
• http://youtu.be/HCXlJ36x-q0

28. 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.

29. The Future?
• Prepare for ubiquity. As omnipresent as
printers.
• Focus on design.
• If you don’t provide this service, others will.

30. 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

31. They aren’t kidding around
• Watch this video
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=play
er_embedded&v=bnn-ACoMw4w

32. 3D Printed items from Makerbot

33. Thingiverse

34. 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.

36. 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

37. Suggested readings

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