What’s a makerspace and why should libraries care?

Tod Colegrove, Ph.D., MSLISHead of DeLaMare Science & Engineering LibraryUniversity of Nevada, Reno

Slides at: http://slidesha.re/1EdVuku

currently provide makerspace or maker

activities through their libraries

40%

planning to start makerspaces in the

near future36%

neither currently providing makerspace nor planning to do so

24%

"Makerspaces in Libraries" Study, John Burke, Dec 2013 - of 143 librarians surveyed:

“A makerspace is a physical location where people gather to share

resources and knowledge, work on projects, network, and build.”1

1EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, ELI. 7 Things you should know about … Makerspaces. April 2013. Retrieved November 2014 fromhttp://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7095.pdf

“We see making as a gateway to deeper engagement in science and

engineering but also art and design.”

– makerspace playbook

Makerspace playbook. Retrieved November 2014 from http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Makerspace-Playbook-Feb-2013.pdf

Active rather than passive learning.Photo by Nick Crowl: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dstl_unr/

From molecules to dinosaurs inthe desert…

“Our biggest challenge – and the biggest opportunity for the Maker Movement – is an ambitious one: to transform education.”

– makerspace playbook

Let’s talk about 3D printers: hardware selection & maintenance.

• What should I be looking at and thinking about when considering a 3D printer purchase?

• Is ongoing maintenance a big deal?

Rule #1: Know where you’re at on the Hype Cycle.

Gartner Hype Cycle by Jeremy Kemp. Retrieved November 2014 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle

Gartner’s 2013 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. Press release, August 19, 2013. Retrieved November 2014 fromhttp://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2575515

Gartner’s 2013 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies. Press release, August 19, 2013. Retrieved November 2014 fromhttp://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2575515

Talk to the communities supported by your library.

What does the need look like?

Will you need to be able to print

• “real” parts? That is, that can be dropped, drilled, machined?

• interconnected moving assemblies?

• metal parts? ABS plastic?

• in multiple colors? Simultaneously?

• big parts? How big?

Any special environmental health and safety concerns?

Fact: no 3D printer does it all.

Do your homework:

• Explore vendor options/literature in depth – inform ongoing conversations.

• Differentiate between open source, hobbyist, DIY systems and commercial/production equipment

Do your homework:

• What’s the cost of print materials?• Go hands-on with the equipment at

trade shows or other makerspaces. Would they make the same choices again? Why or why not?

• How extensive is the ongoing day-to-day support of the equipment?

Anthropology5%

Art11%

Biochemistry11%

Biomedical Engineering8%

Ag, Biotech, Natural Resources

2%Chemistry

3%Business

3%

Economics3%

Electrical Engineering5%

Mechanical Engineering46%

Natural Resources & Environmental Science

3%

3d printer usage: