Resources for #makerspaces via #hyperlibMOOC

Ironically, this week’s Module for #hyperlibMOOC is all about Creation Culture. So, instead of repeating what has already been so eloquently listed & shared, I’ll just add the link so you can check out all the great resources + links + video lecture from Michael Stephens.

I will repeat the quote from Cory Doctorow, “Libraries and Makerspaces: a match made in heaven” Boing Boing :

“Public libraries have always been places where skilled information professionals assisted the general public with the eternal quest to understand the world.”

Community is key #makerspace

I am thrilled to see the following two articles relating to #makerspaces (thanks @sallyheroes for sharing).

Community is Key to Successful Library Maker Spaces | The Digital Shift 2013

Make it @ your library website launches, connecting librarians with makerspace projects and DIY resources | ALA

I have thoroughly learning about & exploring ideas related to #makerspaces during October 2013. Makerspaces can happen. Makerspaces will happen. The key ingredient? Community.

Celebrating the #makerspace philosophy

I’ve been heartened to read widely & be inspired by the philosophies & ideas that underpin the #makerspace movement. Here’s just a selection of great stories that capture some of this:

• Raising future generations of creators not just as consumers.
• Making a 3D printer from e-waste, Kodjo Afate Gnikou (the inventor from Togo) is quoted  “My dream is to give young people hope and to show that Africa, too, has its place on the global market when it comes to technology. We are able to create things.”
• Successful grant for Westport Library’s to further develop their #makerspace, MakerSpace 2.0: Retinkering Libraries.
• Resources for Maker Librarians (site is on a hiatus for now, but great resources still available).
• Strengthening communities through Makerspaces connected learning tv webinar.
• ReMaking Education: Designing Classroom Makerspaces for Transformative Learning.
• FabLabCon 2013 slides from Jeroen de Boer.
• Buffy Hamilton’s 2012 slides Creating Communities Through Makerspaces.

And the most exciting part of this past month is seeing #makerspace and #libraries becoming a reality here in New Zealand!

and @Auckland_Libs Makesplosion! (#ALMakers) comes a day closer. 3D printers! Robots! Apps! Yay! http://t.co/9S4Mq3pveK

— baruk (@feddabonn) October 17, 2013

For me, the #makerspace movement celebrates the power of the community – it allows the community to make the space into what they want it to be, how they want it to be, why they want to the space. Libraries & librarians acting as facilitators: we can tap into funding, we can open up the spaces, then we walk alongside our communities to share in the joy of creation. Our communities are the heart of all of this.

Making the effort to get up early for #makerspace online session

Despite not being at my best in the early hours of the morning, I managed to get up just before 5am on Wednesday 15 October 2013, make coffee & eventually got into the online session The Library as Makerspace by Kristin Fontichiaro, which was part of the Connected Librarians Day 2013. My tech troubleshooting skills at 5am are not brilliant, but I persevered.

Squee *finally* made it into the online session on #makerspaces for Connected Librarians http://t.co/2n6NOu04Wv

— Megan Ingle (@megingle) October 14, 2013

It did make for an awfully early start on a work day, but it was *so* worth being there for the live event. Being in a virtual space with other enthusiastic people sharing their experiences, and seeing what is possible for #makerspaces, was awesome.

Scaling up Kiwi DIY to create ultimate #makerspace?

Again & again, I am reminded that Kiwis are often viewed as a nation of DIY lovers. We love to tinker, we love to hack things, we love to adapt things to our conditions. Some of this possibly stems from early colonial times, being so damn far away from the rest of the world, that people would often make do with what they had rather than wait weeks & months for something else to arrive from overseas. It’s a gross over-generalisation (isn’t that the point of stereotypes?) as there’s plenty of folks who would happily pay someone else to do repairs, and especially now with ongoing constant regulatory changes.