If you know me, you know I enjoy finding out how things work. That's why I’m enthralled with the maker movement. It is one of the many movements transforming libraries right now. The maker movement (see http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/may_2014/?lm=1397760184000&pg=14#pg14 ) is the concept of supplying kids (and adults) with raw materials for creative projects. Some of the projects might be STEAM related, as in robots, coding projects, paper bridges, legos and such. Other projects might be repurposing materials into something new. Think paper towel rolls, egg cartons, and plastic bottles. Some might be art or music related, as in duct tape treasures or foil and straw instruments. And, for those who love anything to do with textiles, they might be needlecrafts or even quilts. For those accustomed to a room for reading and research, you might be wondering: Do these types of projects have a place in the school library? The answer is simple. Do you have any books on these topics? Well, then, of course they do.
So, I’ve been thinking about how the maker movement can transform school libraries. There is a space issue, of course, so the idea of a “makerspace” arose. Makerspaces are dedicated areas where the creative juices can flow. They are stocked with raw materials for creating and are the perfect place to display all of those “how to” books from your collections. American Libraries has a great issue dedicated to makerspaces: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2013/02/06/manufacturing-makerspaces/
School Library Journal not only has a great issue dedicated to makerspaces http://www.slj.com/features/the-maker-issue-slj-2015/, but is also offering maker workshops http://www.slj.com/maker-workshop/ and Leslie Preddy’s book on Makerspaces http://www.abc-clio.com/ABC-CLIOCorporate/product.aspx?pc=A4187P might be just the ticket for those who need more time to assimilate ideas and a handy reference.
But if you’re an organizer, like me, all those little pieces can drive you crazy. So you need storage and signage to keep them organized. I found this great little cart from Demco http://www.demco.com/goto?BLS277768&es=20150216131747689608&intcmp=RMR_00277768 that fits the bill well, but is a bit on the high end of the budget. IKEA has a great little cart on the lower end http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50227973/
The more I thought about makerspaces and their potential to tranform, the more I laid awake at night, ideas swirling. I was eager to explore some other tranformational ideas, too, which will soon become a book idea I'm noodling. In the meantime, what did I do with all those ideas spinning around in my head? I made a pinboard, of course. You can see all the great resources I found here: https://www.pinterest.com/peggycreighton/makerspace-projects/