Library Makerspaces

A remarkable guide for librarians who want to know more about makerspaces, this volume provides a wealth of up-to-date information about types of makerspaces and their communities, whether academic, public, community, independent, or fee based. The book's ten chapters offer information about creation, programs, policies, inventories, and facilities. A plethora of excellent examples, case studies, and references provide evidence of the great variety and depth of existing makerspaces that have succeeded and a few that could have done better. Willingham and her fellow contributors are leaders in the field and have trained hundreds of librarians and others in the creation and effective use of spaces. Librarians will appreciate the discussion of community involvement, budget development, and scale of space. Timely given the contemporary turn from a traditional culture of producers to a culture of consumers, this interesting guidebook puts the focus on communities (of all sorts) that have spaces dedicated to making, creating, and producing. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, and professionals. * CHOICE *
Makerspaces are bringing back relevancy to libraries as we enter an ever-changing digital age. This fantastic book emphasizes the ease of youth and community engagement while providing concrete strategies for making it happen with the scalability to meet the needs of any venue. Easily having the perfect environment and space to deliver the life-changing and STEM-enriching FIRST programs is merely a major bonus. -- JT Yoerger, event operations manager, Central Florida Robotics
Makerspaces are transforming libraries into hubs of hands-on 21st century learning. They are allowing consumers to be creators again. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in starting or growing a library makerspace. -- Andrew Miller, founder, Makerspaces.com
The new libraries described here harbor the creative nature of young people and help revive and revolutionize the old view of libraries to a more modern frame of mind. -- Greg Serio, founder, the People of Manufacturing