Makerspaces can be found in most libraries these days: elementary, secondary, academic, and even public libraries. A large number of students and educators have embraced the makerspace. However, some still remain skeptical. The main reason for this, according to Patrick Colegrove, is because those people don’t really know what makerspace is and why it’s important. Before I started the second half of my library classes, I fell into that category as well . I quickly learned how makerspace can have a positive impact on students in school.
I believe that when schools and communities establish their own type of makerspaces, they are allowing students to build knowledge in curriculum topics such as design, science, technology, coding, art, and math. Students are then working on life-long skills such as cooperation, collaboration, communication, and creativity. In my mind, I can only see positive outcomes by having makerspace in the library.
Throughout my research on makers, I have learned that as the maker-phenomenon started taking off, educators immediately recognized and embraced its potential. Makers help enhance learning and catalyze innovation with children at all levels and backgrounds.The O’Reilly/DARPA Makerspace Playbook describes makerspaces as “a gateway to deeper engagement in science and engineering but also art and design”. Through makerspaces, students are building literacies across multiple domains and are deeply engaged. This is what makes core library values, therefore relating makerspaces to the libraries. Makers are innovative, engaging, and part of 21st Century learning. Will they stick around or fade out? Time will tell.
Avery Long (February 2018)
Interested in creating your own makerspace? This blog is has fantastic ideas:
http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2015/10/14/looking-to-create-a-makerspace-in-your-library-here-are-some-ideas/
Colegrove, Patrick (2013). Editorial Board Thoughts: Libraries As Makerspace? Information Technology and Libraries, 32(1), 2-5. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/openview/60a4c12c79d7d3f0e733c48a8720b976/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1156335.
I also see only positives at creating a Makerspace in a school library. You had a few key words in your blog post, such as "build, establish and potential." Makerspaces do not happen over night or in one school year, they need to develop and grow. We had a county-wide professional development day when one high school librarian gave a presentation about the successes of their makerspace area in the library and I was surprised (and relieved) to hear they started it four years ago. She said at first it was an arts & crafts corner but grew to a successful learning environment complete with whiteboard tables and a 3D printer. Give makerspaces time to grow, develop, evolve and become a regular part of your library landscape. -Christina Burge
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of Makerspaces in my future school library. Ironically,I was reading the Richmond Magazine The Complete Sourcebook 2018 today and came across RVA Makerfest. It is being held October 6, 2018, it's free. I thought it would be great to attend to see other STEAM activities that I could be pulled into a school library. rvamakerfest.com
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