This document discusses the changing role of libraries and librarians. It argues that libraries are shifting from being solely physical spaces that lend books to becoming platforms that provide broader access to both digital and physical resources. Librarians are also changing and taking on new roles like curating makerspaces and tool libraries. The document outlines several examples of libraries that have implemented makerspaces and tools lending to remain relevant in their communities and enable new forms of learning and creation.

1. Making a New World: Libraries as
a Center of Creation
A Presentation for the CLA Support
Staff Conference
11/6/2015

2. What hat do you wear?

3. Librarian Hats
Investigator
Manager
Geek

4. What services do you provide?
• Find information
• Lend resources
• Curate
• Support
• Maintain

5. Libraries are Changing

6. Librarians are Changing
• “To be a librarian is not to be neutral, or
passive, or waiting for a question. It is to be a
radical positive change agent within your
community.”
• ― R. David Lankes

7. 3 Themes
• From place to platform
• From atoms to bits
• To atoms again

8. Library as Platform
– Be open to all
– Give access to every scrap of information it has, including
its digital content, but also metadata about that content,
its usage, and the social interactions around it
– Enable new products and services to be built by anyone
with an idea
– Integrate everything the library knows into the entire Net
ecosystem
• http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/09/future-of-libraries/
by-david-weinberger/#_

9. What does this mean
• Focus on enabling technologies
• Reduce focus on books
• Increase focus on non traditional lending

10. What is a Tool Library?
Tool libraries are just like
traditional libraries, but with
tools instead of books. They
are great for people who
can’t/don’t want to buy/rent
tools they are only going to use
once in a while.

12. The Tekventure makerstation parked at the Allen County Public
LIbrary in Fort Wayne, Ind.

13. What hat will you wear?
• Wearable Technology • Sewing and Knitting

14. • Maker
– Robots
– Arduino
– Soldering
– Electronics
– Quadcopters

15. • Maker
– Carpenters
– Blacksmiths
– Welders
– Shipwrights

16. These are things, therefore
• Cataloging
• Lending policies
• Instruction

17. We have always done this
• This Library afforded me the Means of
Improvement by constant Study
– Benjamin Franklin

18. We Distribute the Future
• The future is already here — it's just not very
evenly distributed.
• William Gibson

19. Things that will stay the same
• We will continue to acquire, organize and lend
books.
• We will aid seekers of information in finding
that information mostly through the use of
databases.

20. Things that will change
• Bits are cheaper to store and redistribute than
atoms unless artificially restricted, therefore,
library budgets will continue to focus on the
digital.
• Consequences
– Location does not matter
– Collections matter less
– Expectations of 24/7 access

21. How about the atoms?
• Makerspaces and community building efforts
require real people and buildings. These
activities are key to keeping libraries open.

22. Chattanooga
• 4th Floor
• Our Vision: The 4th floor is a public laboratory and
educational facility with a focus on information, design,
technology, and the applied arts. The more than
12,000 sq foot space hosts equipment, expertise,
programs, events, and meetings that work within this
scope. While traditional library spaces support the
consumption of knowledge by offering access to
media, the 4th floor is unique because it supports the
production, connection, and sharing of knowledge by
offering access to tools and instruction.

23. The went from this

24. To this

25. University of Nevada Reno
• There are two student 3D "wranglers" who
anyone can make an appointment with
through the DeLaMare's online libguide to
show them how use the 3D printers or to
trouble shoot problems.
– http://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2014/makerspace

26. Some of what they offer

27. About those 3D Printers
• Get one, they are cheap.
• Just because you have one does not mean you
have a makerspace but it is a start.

28. Develop a Maker Mindset
• If something breaks think about trying to fix it.
• Find something you love to do and offer a
class on it.
• Go to workshops.
• Read Make magazine.

29. Q&A
• Author info
– edward.iglesias@ccsu.edu
• This presentation is at
– http://www.slideshare.net/edwardiglesias