In all types of libraries, services, collections, and spaces are being redesigned as a response to changing patron needs and preferences.  Advancement in technology is fueling these changes. Outside of libraries, these changes are causing businesses to rethink their products, services, and delivery methods.  All of this together is changing how the modern workforce performs its work and the skill sets it needs in the dynamic modern workplace. At Johnson County Library, located in the Kansas suburbs surrounding Kansas City, these factors combined, led  to the creation of a makerspace.[1]  As the library re-evaluated its approach to traditional business reference services, a redesign of the central library was also in the planning stages.  Moreover, a flexible approach to programming allowed these three forces to combine, creating fertile grounds for the launch of a makerspace.

Getting Started

Often times getting started can be the biggest hurdle.  Makerspaces can take on many forms and include a wide variety of tools.  Meredith Nelson, the reference librarian who launched Johnson County Library’s MakerSpace, offers a pragmatic approach to creating the makerspace that your community wants and needs. “Start out with programming. The people that show up are your supporters. Talk to them… Before investing, figure out what the community wants,” she said.[2]  Her advice demonstrates that having a physical makerspace is not a requirement for embarking on related activities.

Similarly, Michelle Luhtala, New Canaan (CT) High School librarian, recommends not investing heavily in tools and technology initially.  As she transformed a traditional high school library into a makerspace, she started with “a few things like basic craft supplies and Legos that other teachers had recommended, but she took her cues from the students.”[3]  Both Nelson and Luhtala employed an approach that tested the makerspace waters before diving in head first.

Customizing Your Makerspace

Notably, makerspaces can take on many forms ranging from large dedicated spaces to a mobile concept where technology travels to patrons in various locations.  Additionally, the types of technologies and tools made available in makerspaces ranges greatly.  In short, makerspaces are not one-size-fits-all.  For optimal success, makerspace resources, services, and programs should be customized to the community. For example, a public library serving a rural community may want to focus on soil science tools and drone technology as both are at the forefront of modern agriculture.  This focus wouldn’t be a good fit for an urban community that likely would have other interests. Referring to Nelson’s advice to start small with programming, your patrons can tell you want they want and need.  As you test the making waters, collect feedback to inform what your makerspace should look like as it matures.

Engaging All Ages

Often programming focuses on a singular age group. Storytimes are aimed at specific age ranges, while book discussions target a more mature audience.  Programming that targets mixed age ranges is more difficult.

Like other library programming, makerspace programing can also focus on a specific age group.  However, there is ample potential for families that encompass multiple age groups.  Nelson says that she has seen “whole families engaged” in the Johnson County Library MakerSpace.  Parents and grandparents visit with children and grandchildren to use the space’s tools and resources. As families, they attend programming activities like the MakerSpace Passport program, launched in the summer of 2016. Example projects in the Passport program included coding, soldering, a sewing project, woodworking, and a stop-motion movie. During the Passport program 2,333 projects were completed.  Nelson notes that this programming series was very hands-on for staff, and therefore, quite time intensive. As a comparison, an interaction on the reference desk may be quite brief.  The interactions in the MakerSpace tend to be more technical and in-depth, requiring significant staff time and expertise.

In summary, the idea of starting a makerspace can be overwhelming given the resources, expertise, and time commitment.  However, you can ease into the project to develop a space that is useful for your community.   No clear guide exists for creating the ideal MakerSpace, this is because they are focused on local needs and specific to each community.  This ambiguity creates opportunity in crafting the best makerspace for your community.

References

[1] MakerSpace Home. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2016, from https://www.jocolibrary.org/makerspace/makerspace-new.

[2] Meredith Nelson Interview [Personal interview]. (2016, September 7).

[3] Schwartz, B. K. (2016). Launching a Makerspace: Lessons Learned From a Transformed School Library. Retrieved September 12, 2016, from https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/07/31/launching-a-makerspace-lessons-learned-from-a-transformed-school-library/

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One excellent starting point for librarians is ASPR TRACIE’s “Post-Mass Shootings Programs and Resources Overview.” ASPR (the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and operates TRACIE (Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange). TRACIE’s mission is to provide reliable information to those working in public health and emergency management, but anyone affected by a major emergency can access its high-quality resources.

This document, relating specifically to the June 12, 2016, shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub but applicable to other events, contains a comprehensive list of programs, behavioral health and LGBT support resources, and subject matter experts. Each entry includes a brief description and contact information, where applicable, and the document’s format makes it easy to find the necessary information at a glance.

The depth of TRACIE’s compilation makes it a great reference for responding to patrons’ needs that extend beyond the typical news story. While some entries are specific to the Orlando area, others are more general and therefore well suited to anyone coping with a mass shooting or other attack as well as general trauma. Many Spanish translations are included as well. Most importantly, each entry is a reliable source of information, so librarians and patrons alike can be confident they are receiving the best content available.

As a librarian, I would make such a resource available to patrons in a few different ways. This document would be helpful to keep at service desks for ready reference. Given the sensitive nature of the content, not all patrons may feel comfortable directly asking a staff member for help; therefore, I would also link to the most applicable resources online via the library’s website and/or social media accounts. If your library has a place for physical handouts, a list of recommended resources could be put out for patrons to take home as well.

Has your library received reference questions centering on these recent events? How are you handling them?

Resources

ASPR TRACIE: Post-Mass Shootings Programs and Resources Overview

ASPR TRACIE Homepage

The post Library Resources for Dealing with Mass Shootings first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Beyond free books, you can find resources for used books, these include eBay, Amazon, and Powell’s books. One thing to be aware of is bookjacking, similar to the flipping of real estate. The book is listed at a very large markup, the Bookjacker get the customer, then buy the book from the original owner and make a large profit selling at the marked-up price. So just be sure to do a thorough internet search for the book you want before making a purchase. It’s also possible to find stolen books through some of those sellers, which could be called ‘bookjacking’ too. One of the sites covering these issues is Zubal books and their site, a resource for cheap books, ‘books-by-the-foot.”  Their site also lists those known bookjacking sellers here.

Finally, many libraries are reporting ways they weed books–the used, the abused, the discards, and donations which can’t be kept. It seems many have rules against accepting donations. Covering the giving away part, the American Library Association (ALA) has developed a listing of resources mostly for donating or recycling books. Information about this outgoing process is here: http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet12 and here: https://delicious.com/alalibrary/bookdonations. This includes ideas for exchanges, which can also be a tool for building your small library collection.

The post Developing Book Donation Resources first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Other questions to ponder include:

• What new ways could libraries connect to outside partners, institutions, or audiences?
• How should libraries prioritize their resources?
• Whose work in libraries should the Knight Foundation know about?
• What will libraries look like in 10, 20, or 50 years?
• What challenges does your library face adapting to the digital age?

After the success and great response from the library community to the first library-focused News Challenge last year, the Knight Foundation decided to focus on library innovation for 2016. The Knight Foundation has a mission of “supporting transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts.” The News Challenge is one of several initiatives used to promote these causes through foundation grants. Since 1971, the foundation has awarded funding to over 180 library-related projects, including the Digital Public Library of America.

In 2014, the foundation launched the first News Challenge focused on libraries. They asked participants, “How might we leverage libraries as a platform to build more knowledgeable communities?” Over 690 entries were submitted from which emerged forty-two semi-finalists with twenty-two winning projects eligible for the shared $3 million in funding.

Projects that won 2014 News Challenge funding ranged from improving online learning to privacy workshops. One other winning project was to create a digital platform designed specifically for low-bandwidth environments in order to expand access in developing areas of the world. Fourteen projects were awarded $35,000 in prototype funding for training on design and innovation methodology.

The specific question for the 2016 News Challenge will be announced in March followed by a call for ideas. Winners will be presented at the ALA annual conference in Orlando next summer. Check out the Knight Foundation Blog to learn more about the News Challenge and to watch for future developments for this upcoming funding opportunity.

Resources

First Knight News Challenge of 2016 to Focus on Libraries

The post Help Shape the 2016 Knight News Challenge – Focus is Library Innovation first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The main point of this post is that I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that college MLIS students have tons of projects and activities that we have to do. So why are public and even school libraries not advertising special projects that students can do for class and benefit the library at the same time? I’m not talking about practicums or internships– those focus on getting to know the environment of the library– but rather about a student walking in, seeing that you need collection development done for your 400‘s collection, and then doing the collection development. The student can get the grade, make networking connections, contribute to the community, and gain realistic understanding of a collection that they may one day work with.

I understand that there are rules, requirements and regulations that must be followed but sometimes these rules keep things from being done. In the long run, who gets hurt from the budget cuts, low staff ratio, and decreasing hours? As public libraries we still need to provide the same level of service with less and to do that we really need to capitalize on our resources. I’m aware that there will have to be rules and requirements to making a system like this work, but in the end it could be just like interlibrary loan.

Using my recent collection development assignment I’m going to tell you some benefits to my work. I was able to get the information that I needed, in a fashion, and use it to create my assignment. For the library I was able to look at a collection that has been notable in the past and give suggestions for how to improve it now that financial resources that were available are no longer. I’m a college student and I work full time so I don’t have time for internships or practicums, but I do have time for homework and when homework is part of the community it means more to the student, the university, the library, and everyone involved. The bottom line is there are resources out there and we see the need every day for more and more support: when are you going to get some?

Suggested Reading: Easy Information Sources for ESL, Adult Learners & New Readers by Rosemary Riechel, Neal-Schuman Publisherss, 2009.

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