NCompass Live - May 30, 2018 http://nlc.nebraska.gov/ncompasslive/ Project staff and partners for the Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project will provide an update to the project, a review of the benefits and commitments involving a makerspace, the need for local partners, and details about the final application/selection process. Eligible Nebraska public libraries are those with a legal service area of less than 25,000 and are accredited. The deadline for the second application cycle - that will identify the final thirteen participating libraries - is scheduled for July 20, 2018. During the webinar you'll also hear from Heather St. Clair and Audrey Heil (the directors from the Ashland and Loup City public libraries) who will discuss their experiences preparing for and hosting a Library Innovation Studio for up 20 weeks. The Nebraska Library Commission (NLC) along with partners University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension (Nebraska 4-H), and Regional Library Systems, are excited about the project, which was awarded a National Leadership Grant of $530,732 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project began July 1, 2017 and will conclude the summer of 2020. Project and application details can be found at: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/InnovationStudios/

1. http://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/InnovationStudio
s

2. LIBRARY INNOVATION
STUDIOS: Transforming Rural
Communities
Presenters:
JoAnn McManus Mary Jo Ryan
Connie Hancock Max Wheeler
Heather St. Clair Audrey Heil

3. NEBRASKA
Statewide
Partners:

4. TODAY’S AGENDA
• “Library Innovation Studios” Project Overview
• Application Process
• Community Engagement Process & Local
Teams
• Equipment in the Studio
• Local Library Experiences
• Online Resources

5. “Library Innovation Studios”
Project Overview
• $530,732 National Leadership Grant by
Institute of Museum & Library Services
• Makerspaces hosted by public libraries support:
• Community engagement
• Participatory learning experiences
• Access to technological and innovative learning tools not
readily accessible locally
• 3-year Project (July, 2017 to Summer, 2020) allows for 30
public libraries to host Makerspace for 19 to 20 weeks
• Communities encouraged to “try it before you buy it” and
initiate local discussion around Makerspace benefits to
answer questions like: How can our community support a

6. Three Goals Guide the Library
Innovation Studios (Makerspace)
Project
•Rural community residents will be empowered
with the tools and guidance to explore,
collaborate, create, learn, and invent;
•Libraries (along with local partners) will
transform their rural communities through
participatory learning spaces, while establishing
themselves as strong community catalysts for
community change; and
•Libraries and communities nationwide will have

7. Multi-faceted project will…
• Establish Community Action Teams in 30 Rural &
Small communities
• Purchase equipment/components for four rotating
Studios
• Develop instructional materials & certification process
• Employ sustainability strategies for permanent
studios
• Provide equipment training focusing on Train-the-
Trainer strategies
• Group Training at Nebraska Innovation Studio prior to
each of seven cycles
• Local Trainer-the-Trainings at the beginning of each local

8. Multi-faceted project will…
• Assist with local marketing and
programming/event planning for:
• 19-20 week Hosting Period
• Programming/Focus Areas
• Scheduled Trainings
• Open Houses
• Local Maker Showcase
• Host Annual Inventors’ Showcases—this year
at the Nebraska State Fair

9. Application Process
•Deadline to Apply – Final Opportunity
•July 20, 2018
•Final 13 libraries will be selected to participate
•Submit via email or mail
•Application & “Answers to Questions” available
at:
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/InnovationStudios

10. Which Libraries are Eligible to Participate and
Host a Library Innovation Studio for 19 to 20
Weeks?
•Rural or Small Accredited Public Libraries
•Legal service area of less than 25,000
(so all but Nebraska’s six largest cities)
•Must be accredited through the Nebraska
Library Commission

11. Other Requirements
• Studio must be housed within the public library
• Must have adequate space available for the six permanent
stations to remain installed throughout the hosting period
• Space Issues? – Perhaps your Library should apply as a
Mini Studio (hosting half the equipment for 10 weeks, then
the other half for the final 10 weeks)
• Read the “Answers to Questions” document online before
you apply.

12. Benefits of Participation
• Community Engagement Training/Tools/Templates/Support
• Access to Studio Components for 19 to 20 weeks
• Opportunity to “Try it before you buy it”
• Community sees first-hand benefits of a Makerspace
• Some travel support to Lincoln training/events
• Access to project staff & project partners
• Connection to Nebraska Innovation Studio & Makerspace
Network
• Eligibility to receive one or more pieces of equipment at

13. Expectations of Participating
Libraries• Organize Community Action Team & engage local organizations
• Identify staff and recruit volunteers to attend “Train-the-Trainer”
sessions
• Prepare space & gather tables, chairs (plus help with
loading/unloading)
• Market the studio, Open House, Maker Showcase, training
sessions
• Make studio components available to public on regular basis
• Train users and enter User Certification Data
• Maintain consumables provided (plus handle and record sales)
• Encourage users to showcase their creations/inventions

14. Application Features
•Basic Contact Information
•Assurances Checklist
•10 Questions to Answer
•Some indicate that you are prepared—so look at
these now so you will be prepared
•Include sketches/diagrams/photos of space to be
used for studio stations
• Attach Letters of Support/Commitment from
Local Partners

16. HOSTING PERIOD PRIORITY FORM
•Not Required – but highly recommended
•Can be submitted following the application deadline
•Allows you to be among the first to request a “Hosting
Period” that fits your schedule.
•Hosting Periods, number of weeks, and Train-the-
Trainer sesions indicated on the form are “Tentative”
Note: There are Seven Hosting Cycles (we are currently in our 2nd)
There are four Libraries in each cycle (5, if there is a pair of mini
studios)
Each cycle starts with a group Train-the-Trainer session in Lincoln

18. Library Innovation Studios
Host/Partner Libraries
1st Cycle: Plattsmouth, Ainsworth, Ashland,
Loup City & Crete
2nd Cycle: South Sioux City, Neligh, Broken Bow,
Bridgeport (where Studios are now located)
3rd Cycle: Norfolk, North Platte, Ravenna,
Scottsbluff
4th Cycle: Wayne Geneva, Central City
6th Cycle: Nebraska City
Thirteen libraries still to be selected (deadline July
20) to fill out Cycles 4-7 (two of these to be Mini

19. How Do the Projects Goals Overlap with our
Community Goals?
•…Empowered with the tools and guidance to explore,
collaborate, create, learn, and invent;
•Entrepreneurship/Business Development
•Economic Development
•Lifelong Learning/Education
•STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math
•...Transform communities through participatory learning
spaces…
•Sharing knowledge
•Learning from others
•Finding solutions together

20. Community Engagement
• Work as a Catalyst
• Getting people involved
• Getting people to work together
• Getting to use their talents
• Build a sense of community
• Meet people who are doing something different than
you are
• Learn from each other
• Understand the “benefits” and what a Makerspace
means to the community
• Create a strong Community Action Team
• Identify a Local Training Team (beyond library staff)

21. Community Action Team
Identify 5 to 6 Community Leaders
• Representative of diverse aspects of community – Library,
Chamber, Economic Development, Education, Extension,
Business, Art Guild, Quilt Guild, Target Audiences, etc.
• Willing to make a commitment—spending time, energy, and
talent to focus strategically and create a implementation
plan
• Willing to engage and collaborate with community and key
stakeholders
• Recruit others and their organizations to serve as trainers
and/or participants
• Work with community to find resources (financial, human,
ideas, etc.)

22. Community Action Team – ACTION
STEPS
•Volunteer Coordination
•Getting People to the Conversations
•Keeping People Engaged (Action Team Facilitation)
•Playing a Role in Marketing
•Maintaining the Momentum (taking steps for permanent
studio)
•Scheduled regular time for briefings to discuss
challenges/opportunities/ideas--communities with
each other
•Celebrating Success
•Local Maker Showcase
•Annual Inventors Fair at Nebraska Innovation Studio

23. Community Engagement Resources
Online
• Welcome Webinar
• Templates available
• Community Action Team Worksheet
• Forming a Training Team Worksheet
• Event Planning Form
• Timeline
• General Information PowerPoint
• Find under the Communications tab
• Use this when meeting with your Teams or Community Leaders
to brief them on the project so they can envision its local

24. Let’s Take A Look at the Stations & Kits
Included with a Library Innovation Studio
•6 Stations Installed—these remain set up
throughout the hosting period
•9 Mobile Kits (provided in Totes), Set out
periodically or checked out for in-library use
(possible to check out select kits for “out-of-
library use”)

25. Digital Fabrication
•3D printer
•Laser Cutter
•CNC Router
•Vinyl Cutter

26. Electronics – Prototype Kits,
Microcontrollers, Robotics
•Lego Mindstorms
•Sparkfun Inventor’s Kit
•Arduino Starter Kit
•Makey Makey
•Soldering Iron

27. Textiles
•Embroidery/Sewing Machine
•Heat Press & Special Ink Printers

28. Digital Media Creation
•Video
•Photography
•Green Screen Technology

29. Music & Recording

30. Other Maker Components
•Button Maker
•Laminator
•CorelDRAW

31. How Much Space do you Need?
Check out Space Needs Chart on Website
Minimum Space Shown Below
(for instance, an 8-foot table will work better than a 6-foot table)

32. How Will Your Local Trainers
Prepare?
•Attend training at Nebraska Innovation Studio,
Lincoln
•Attend training locally when the equipment is
installed at your library
•Follow “Standard Operative Procedures”
(SOPs) Manuals
•Make use of online training videos

33. How will they expose others to:
Provide Opportunities for Learning:
•Scheduled Training Sessions
•Certification Opportunities
•Forming Interest Groups (formal and informal)
•Focused & Free-form Local Group Learning
Activities
•Mentor Monday (or something similar)

34. Local Library Experiences
Heather St. Clair, Ashland Public
Library

35. Local Library Experiences
Audrey Heil, Loup City Public Library

36. RESOURCES ONLINE AT:
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/InnovationStudio
s
•Project Summary
•Answers to Questions
(for potential host libraries)
•Application
•Recorded Webinars
•Training Videos
(Studio Safety & Studio Machines)
•Equipment/Components
• Details about each Station & Kit
• Space Needs Chart
• About Consumables)
• Equipment Instructions
•Communications
• PowerPoints, Media Kit, Logos,
Templates, Posters
•Community Engagement

37. QUESTIONS/ANSWERS/COMM
ENTS
The Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project is a
partnership among the Nebraska Library Commission, University of Nebraska Lincoln
(UNL), Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension, Regional Library Systems,
and local public libraries—funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (Grant #LG-95-17-0046-17).

38. STATEWIDE CONTACT INFORMATION
JoAnn McManus
Library Innovation Studios Project
Manager
Nebraska Library Commission
402-471-4870
joann.mcmanus@nebraska.gov