Amy's blog

Prototyping Maker Kits

Amy — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:02:22 +0000

After surveying Illinois libraries, we turned our energies toward prototyping - putting together test kits and selecting pilot libraries.

We’ve started with 5 kits and 5 libraries:

The LittleBits Circuit Kit is currently being testing at Prospect Heights Public Library in Prospect Heights, IL. This mid-size suburban Chicago library has done some STEM programming in the past and they are currently using the LittleBits for an experiment table in their youth services department.

Our Silkscreening Kit went to the Fondulac District Library in East Peoria, IL. This being the messiest and most hands-on of the kits, we weren’t sure how a library might use it. Fondulac is planning a t-shirt design program with their teens.

The Robotics Kits (consisting of two sphero balls, two dot & dash, and a mini ipad) is being experimented with at the Champaign Public Library in Champaign, IL. This library serves a large community and is being used by the teen librarian. Their feedback so far has indicated that teens like to drive the robots around for fun and that the robots might work best in an open lab vs a structured program.

The 3D Printing Kit (with a Dremel Idea Builder) is spending the summer at Walnut Public Library in Walnut, IL. This is a very small, rural community and community interest in the 3D printer is building slowly. The librarian will be demoing the printer for summer reading participants.

The Silhouette Cameo Cutter is currently in use at the Villa Park Public Library in Villa Park, IL.

We are still in the testing and feedback stage with all our kits. For kits that are successful, we will purchase more copies, so that multiple kits can be circulated at one time.

Blog Tags:

phase 2

maker kits

pilot libraries

Are Illinois Librarians Ready To Be Makers?

Amy — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:59:48 +0000

Back in March we surveyed over 300 Illinois librarians (327 to be exact) from all across the state to find out if they were even interested in the maker movement and our circulating maker kits. Thankfully, and as we expected, the answer is yes! And an overwhelming yes at that.

While 96 percent of respondents believe that the maker movement is relevant to libraries, only 49 percent sometimes (or frequently) host maker events at their library.

Of all respondents, 96 percent indicated that they were likely to use our circulating maker kits.

All this supports our assumption that librarians want to bring the maker movement to their libraries, but that there are gaps that need to be addressed in order to make this a reality for many of them. By putting the tools of the maker movement in their hands with little financial commitment on their part, we can make a big impact on closing this gap.

Blog Tags:

survey results

phase 2

maker kits

Advice from Chicago Public Library's Maker Lab

Amy — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 16:52:12 +0000

On Friday, May 23rd, Allison, Liz and I visited with some of the folks behind the Maker Lab at Chicago Public Library. (For those who are unfamiliar with the CPL Maker Lab, check out their blog.) They shared with us tips and best practices that they have learned along the way to developing the Maker Lab. Here are the things we learned that we feel would help other libraries with makerspaces or planning makerspaces.

Mark Anderson with the 3D printers in the CPL Maker Lab.

Core Materials and Tools - the staff recommends the following tools for developing your first makerspace:

UP Mini 3D printer - CPL staff find this printer (they have one) to be more reliable and easier to use than their Makerbots (they have three). It is also less expensive than the Makerbot making it a good alternative for libraries with a limited budget.
Silhouette Cameo Cutter (vinyl cutter) - CPL staff find that it is very reliable and can serve multiple functions. The only downside that it is harder to sell or get patrons excited about using. But once patrons use it, they really enjoy the process.
Inkscape - Free software that serves many functions including use with the cameo cutter.

For a full list of the materials and tools used in the Maker Lab visit their Google site which contains material lists, lesson plans, and other resources.

Staffing - One of the most interesting things we learned was about how they staff the Maker Lab. All of the staff work one day a week in the Maker Lab with the exception of one full-time Maker Lab person. Otherwise, they all work in other CPL departments and branches. The lesson learned is that a makerspace doesn’t necessarily have to be one or two people’s full-time responsibility. Sometimes a library will have to pull in talents and time from different departments to manage the space and instruct classes. And, in CPL’s case, the more perspectives involved, the more varied services they can provide.

All the Maker Lab classes and workshops are designed and planned by CPL Maker Lab staff. They hold one class each week just for other CPL staff. Don’t forget to develop your staff as well as the public.

Best Practices

How to design classes:

1) Get inspired. From Pinterest gazing to museum tours, make time for inspiration to strike.

2) Try it out. See what works and what doesn’t, and start finetuning for your audience.

3) Work with other staff to finesse. A team approach will allow you to start thinking outside of the box.

4) Write a guide. Class participants appreciate a visual aid. CPL staff said that some people will even look up a guide ahead of time in preparation for a new learning experience.

Tips for leading a class:

1) Give yourself plenty of in-class time. People will almost always need more time than you think to work.

2) Be flexible. Everyone will come in with different levels of knowledge, experience, and skills.

3) Make connections to other applications. Your students might not know much about cloud-based software or file management, so throwing in a little extra information on 21st century skills can be helpful.

Marketing:

1) Be careful marketing with buzz words like “maker” and “hacker” because people don’t necessarily know what these mean.

2) Sell your class or workshop with the end product rather than the tool or skill.

3) Make sure the participants leave with something, so they can show friends and family.

Know what your goals are, like:

1) Building interest in the library.

2) Seeding the creative and/or technology community. By paying artists and makers to lead classes in your makerspace, you are supporting the creative community.

3) Teaching 21st century skills to adults who missed formal technology training. The Maker Lab is focused on adults and introducing them to new technology; the goal is not necessarily supporting advanced maker activities.

Build good relationships with other staff, like IT, because you will need their support and assistance.

Creating partnerships is easier once other organizations and companies see that you have an audience. They will want to tap into your audience and they will approach you.

Challenges

One big challenge is that it’s difficult to be an expert on one thing and impossible to be an expert on everything. But don’t let this stop you. You have to be okay with not being an expert.

Another challenge noted was balancing the day-to-day activity of the Maker Lab with the big picture. They advised it’s easy to forget the overarching goals and purposes of your lab when you’re bogged down in the details. So work towards seeing both: the everyday work of leading classes, talking with patrons, and making awesome stuff, and the reason we’re doing it: to empower patrons, connect communities and inspire a new way to use the library.

Make It @ Your Library and CPL Maker Lab staff

Many thanks to Mark Andersen, Sasha Neri, and John Christensen for the tour and the discussion! All the great insights we’ve outlined here can be attributed to them.
(This blog post written with a huge assist from Allison Parker!)

Blog Tags:

Instructables' Build Nights

Amy — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 15:18:25 +0000

Instructables is expanding their Build Night program to libraries with maker communities!

For Build Nights, Instructables partners with companies that make fun materials and tools. Makerspaces, hackerspaces, and now libraries, can apply to host a Build Night and receive the materials for free. Locations that receive materials agree to host an event during the designated month. Participants experiment with the materials and then share the creations on Instructables.com.

For examples, check out these past Build Nights with materials from SUGRU, Lumi, and Cool Neon.

If you are interested in being notified about future Build Nights, fill out this form. You will receive an email when the events are announced.

Blog Tags:

Build Night

Software for your library's makerspace

Amy — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 22:08:03 +0000

Dreaming about a makerspace (or already have one), but don’t know how you’ll pay for the equipment and software? Here’s a universal truth: It never hurts to ask.

We recently received a question from a public library with a makerspace that was having trouble getting good software for use with their 3D printers. They had tried the free stuff, Blender and Sketchup, but found it lacking. What they really wanted was professional software like Autodesk Inventor. But licensing this software is expensive and outside the reach of most libraries, right? Not so fast!

Autodesk is the parent company of Instructables and it is their content that you find on Make It @ Your Library. So the library emailed us to ask if we had any sway at Autodesk that might result in a discount on software.

Well… no swaying needed! Autodesk already offers all of their software for FREE to any makerspace including library makerspaces!?

So how can your library take advantage of this offer? Contact Jesse Harrington Au, Maker Advocate at Autodesk, jesse (dot) harrington (dot) au (at) autodesk (dot) com, to get the hook up!

Blog Tags:

software

makerspaces

autodesk

Meet the Makers

Amy — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:19:54 +0000

Meet the Makers of Make It @ Your Library!

Blog Tags:

makers

co-founders

We're on YouTube (again)!

Amy — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:26:08 +0000

Video of our final ILEAD USA presentation in October. Learn all about how Make It @ Your Library came to be!

Blog Tags:

video

ILEAD

Safety First

Amy — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:14:36 +0000

You may have noticed that some of the projects we share on Make It @ Your Library could be considered hazardous.

So why would we share ideas for maker activities that are potentially dangerous? Because the maker movement embraces all types of makers and doers with a wide range of skills and interests.

Some libraries are prepared to handle projects that require the use of special tools - tools that are risky to use without proper training or the supervision of an expert. Tools like saws and drills, special chemicals, and electronics. Because we want to be of service to all libraries, we will continue to include projects that cover a wide range of the things happening in maker communities around the world.

We strongly encourage all librarians to consider the skills and interests of their communities when selecting projects. We also recommend that you test projects before delivering them to a larger audience. We review every project that is indexed on this site and we try our best to make sure we select projects that are accurate and easy to follow. But if you try a project and encounter problems, please feel free to share your feedback in the comments section of the project.

For the legalese, please review our terms of service.

Happy, safe creating!

Once upon a time... we made a video

Amy — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 15:49:32 +0000

Way back in March 2013, Make It @ Your Library was just a glimmer in our eyes. We went to Springfield, IL for the first meeting of ILEAD USA with a simple concept, to create a resource that would connect libraries of all shapes and sizes with the maker activities that suit them.

Our first task as a team wasn't to jump right in and build a website. Our first task was to create a video to communicate our vision for our project. We think we did a pretty good job - it's fun and illustates our initial ideas!

How to Add Your Own Maker Projects

Amy — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 20:37:34 +0000

We know that librarians are a creative bunch and that many of you have probably designed your own maker activities for use in library programming.

Have you thought about sharing your creations with other libraries? Now you can! Your maker projects can appear on Make It @ Your Library, here's how:

Start at Instructables.com. Sign up for a free account.
From the Create options, select Step By Step.
You will need photos detailing the major steps of the project. Be sure to include a list of the tools and materials you used and even links to websites where materials can be purchased.
After you have submitted your project to Instructables, tell us about it! Go to our Contribute page and share the Instructables' URL for your project or sign up for a Make It @ Your Library account and we will make you a contributor.

We look forward to seeing all the things you create!