June Poteat
Professors Harlow and Sands
LIS 688 Learning and Makerspaces
June 28, 2017
To: Tiny Town Library Board
Proposal: A Tiny Town Library Makerspace
The Swiss philosopher Jean Paiget developed the constructivist theory that asserts that
we construct knowledge based on our personal experiences. Experiences are created by
people and things we encounter. Creating a Makerspace will provide a more effective,
interesting, and fun way to explore ideas as we construct knowledge through hands on
experience. It will promote cognitive thinking and ways to collaborate with peers while
offering access and training to 21st century tools. Since we live in a rural area we find
many patrons are struggling financially. The Makerspace would be a place with tools that
they could not afford at home. The training they receive from our library will help them
become more competitive in their career fields and enhance their lives.
Definition of a Makerspace:
A Makerspace is basically an area carved out in our library where fascinating learning
can occur through activities that require putting things together or taking them apart. It is
a space to explore ideas and learn to design things using special tools such as a recording
booth, a 3D printer or wearable conductor thread. It encourages learning by doing. It is a
way to teach about new technologies and to help patrons acquire skills that will greatly
benefit them in both their home and work lives. In the article; The State of Library
Makerspaces, F. Wang explains that a Makerspace; encourages playful learning,
knowledge sharing, creative thinking, social interaction, informal mentoring, and
community collaboration and support. (Wang, F., pg.3)
Purpose/Objectives
1. To provide a space and offer special tools that not many patrons could not afford
on their own. A space that entices patrons to rediscover the wonders of learning.
2. An area for them to experiment, tinker, and explore.
3. To help patrons develop skills that could be valuable in the workplace
4. To offer training from qualified staff that will help our explorers understand how to
design and create from their imaginations
How We Build It:
Creating a Makerspace will require some needed weeding out of the old unused materials
to make room for our Makerspace. There is a conference room in the back of Tiny Town
Library that is rarely used for a conference. It has a long table that is large enough for
several people to either stand or sit while working on their projects. We can purchase
plastic containers from Lowes to store project materials. They can be kept neatly in the
large closet in the conference room when not in use. There are many new tools available
for purchase that teach things such as electronics or how to design a thing. Overall it is
about making something out of nothing. In The Philosophy of Educational Makerspaces-
Part 1 of Making an Educational Makerspace, R. S. Kurti explains that; it is important
that students are attracted to the space and we can do this by inviting curiosity, inspiring
wonder, encouraging playfulness, and celebrating unique solutions. (Kurti et al. p. 10).
Why the Library:
The library is synonymous with learning. It is a place where patrons can go who are
searching for answers to questions. Our ways of learning have become more fluid with
computers, 3D printers, and various other teaching tools that will benefit our patrons
throughout their lives. Moorefield-Lang points out in the article Change in the Making:
Makerspaces and the Ever-Changing Landscape of Libraries, So its a question of does
information go to your library to die or does it go there to take on new life? (Moorefield-
Lang, pg. 110)
Benefits:
In her article; Three Reasons Why Making and Literacy Aren't Exclusive Diana Rendina
says; "Literacy is more than just words its understanding how things work and how
to use them. Our students may be phenomenal at citing resources and creating five
paragraph essays. But do they know how to sew on a button? Or the difference
between a straight and Phillips screwdriver? Or the basics of how a circuit is shorted?
We seek to improve our community and society at large by developing a better educated
society. People are experiencing stress and anguish when trying to learn how to use new
technology. With a well-trained staff; we can explain how to put technology of the 21st
century to better use, how to sew a quilt, or create a story book character from a 3D
printer. Makerspaces provide a fascinating place that encourages learning through
exploration.
References
Kurti, R. Steven., Kurti, Debby L., & Fleming, Laura (June 01, 2014). The Philosophy of
Educational Makerspaces. Teacher Librarian, 41, 5.
Moorefield-Lang, H. (January 01, 2015). Change in the Making: Makerspaces and the
Ever-Changing Landscape of Libraries. Tech Trends Washington Dc-, 59, 3, 107-112.
Rendina, D. (2017). 3 Reasons Why Making and Literacy Aren't Mutually
Exclusive. Knowledgequest.aasl.org. Retrieved 29 June 2017, from
http://knowledgequest.aasl.org/3-reasons-making-literacy-arent-mutually-exclusive/
Stager, G. (2014). What's the Maker Movement and Why Should I Care? Scholastic
Administrator. pp. 1-5.
Wang, F., Wang, W., Wilson, S., & Ahmed, N. (2016). The State of Library
Makerspaces. International Journal of Librarianship, 1(1), 2-16
