Creating a Library Makerspace

The first I had heard about makerspaces was from my husband, Patrick. I'm sure I had listened to countless stories about amazing things he had been doing in his classroom that had to do with this new "maker movement". It wasn't until I took my two sons to the Mini Maker Faire, here in Austin, that I made the connection that "making" would fit perfectly into my library. Libraries, of course, are where students go to learn and obtain new information, and making helps them do both of those, plus problem solve, use their imaginations, and make real world connections--just to name a few of the benefits. While planning my summer library program, I thought I'd try to implement a little makerspace for kids to tinker and explore in, and at the same time--connect to literacy in some way (it is the library, after all!). Before, I went out and starting spending money on materials for my students to work with, I decided to reach out to my fellow librarians and teachers on my campus. The response was absolutely amazing! I received donations of all types--from arts and crafts supplies, to discarded computers and other electronics. I ended up only supplementing about $50 worth of crafty stuff to add to the supply. I looked a bit like a hoarder at the end of the school year, but thankfully, about a week before school was out, some very organized fifth graders volunteered to help sort through all of my treasures and get them ready for my program.

Entrance to our makerspace--the kids loved the Mincraft tree!

On the first day of the Summer Reading Program (SRP), students were waiting anxiously at the front door for me when I arrived. They filed in, oohing and ahhing at the giant Minecraft tree I had created to display over the entrance to our very own makerspace (I'll explain that in more detail later). There were lots of questions about what we were going to do. After some browsing and reading time, I gathered the students around for their crash course in "making". We watched a video clip from the Austin Mini Maker Faire and we discussed how all of those amazing creations came to be--someone had to make them! We then got down to the nitty-gritty--the rules for the makerspace. They are short and simple--be smart and creative, don't harm yourself or others, clean up your mess--students signed an agreement and then we moved into the makerspace to take a tour. 

Students explore using all types of materials!

As we walked around the space, I could feel the students' excitement and eagerness to get in and make something! Because, I'm the librarian I wanted things to be organized and somewhat orderly (I thought)--I tried to make groups of students rotate through each station--but, then quickly realized that the students should go where they were drawn to--that's where they would be the most successful! Once I let go of controlling where they went, they were off on their own--creating and making--and enjoying every minute of it. It was almost quiet in the library, which was impressive for the amount of kids and activities going on. There were no behavior problems--just kids focused on their creations--it was so inspiring! (messy, but inspiring!) I think that letting go of the mess that the makerspace create is another thing that leads to a successful program--it's    going to be messy--and the kids are going to love it!

I left my first day in the Wooldridge makerspace feeling excited for my students and our library. This is just the beginning for us, and I have a feeling having a makerspace in the library is going to take us places!