MakerSpaces

When librarians talk about libraries, we sometimes wax poetic. We may even sound like fisherman talking about how big the fish we caught or almost caught, was. Except we are talking about how important libraries are, or what you can do at a library, or what libraries contribute to society. Sometimes we say things like, libraries are a cornerstone of democracy, libraries are where everyone is equal, libraries are open to everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, educational or socioeconomic status. Which is all true, even if it does sound lofty. But now, there's a new visionary idea that librarians want to promote. It's the MakerSpace.


What's that you are asking?


A MakerSpace is just what it sounds like - a space to make something. But in some ways what a MakerSpace is is so much more than that - so much bigger - so much deeper, because it's based on the idea that libraries are no longer places you go to for information, entertainment, knowledge. Libraries are about learning, but learning in community where sometimes you are the student  and sometimes you are the teacher. Libraries are places you go to be part of creating something new - so you aren't just reading someone else's story, you are writing your own. Your aren't just watching someone else's movie, you are making your own. You aren't just checking out a book on knitting, you are sitting down and knitting.


I took a tour of the FabLab (their MakerSpace) at Fayetteville Free Library a couple of weeks ago, and came away drooling all over myself. Their FabLab is almost as big as our main reading room. It has six sewing machines where people can come and sew, take sewing lessons, or join a quilting circle. It has a wood working corner, where if you can build something. It has 3-D printers and craft kits for everything from jewelry making to painting. But you know what the coolest thing was? They had fancy shaped cake pans you could check out. Tractor ones and Blue's Clues pans and Paw Print pans.


You can see where this is going right? The little hamsters in my brain are just flat out running on their little wheels! So --- if you want to help be part of creating at the library, come talk to me. Volunteers are always welcome.


Now what are we going to call it?