Creating a Library Makerspace
Karen Miller and Matthew Robinson
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24.11.2015
what is a makerspace?
a collaborative learning environment where people come
together to share tools, materials and expertise, and
develop digital literacy and other skills through hands-on
‘making’ activities.
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
NMC Horizon Report, 2015 Library Edition
 “rethinking library spaces” is a major long term impact
trend driving technology adoption in academic and
research libraries (p. 10)
 role for library to help improve digital literacy (p. 24)
 makerspaces are nominated as one of the six important
developments in technology for academic and research
libraries (p. 36)
http://www.nmc.org/publication/nmc-horizon-report-2015-library-edition/
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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a 2015 strategic initiative
The Library’s aim was:
 To create a collaborative, interdisciplinary maker
community centred around an engaging, creative library
makerspace that Curtin makers can use to learn through
creating and doing
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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a collaborative process
Karen, Matt and Dan
+ Library Technicians
+ many contributions from
Library staff and the Curtin
community
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
building a maker community
through engagement
 Curtin Teaching and Learning + Office of R&D
 Humanities faculty, eg. Visualisation / HIVE
 Science and Engineering Faculty eg Outreach, Robotics
 Curtin AHEAD School and Community program
 Community makerspaces, public libraries, Scitech, WA
museum
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some of our events
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festival of learning
Blog post: Reflections on our 'pop up' makerspace
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lightmakers @ the library
Blog post: Exploring light during National Science Week
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loud shirt day
Blog post: Getting loud in the Library
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creative festival
Blog post: Making at the Curtin Creative Festival
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some of our activities
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Edison robots
Soldering circuit
boards
Makey
makey
Origami
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Sewable
electronics
Badge
making
Light
painting
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Beading
3D printing
Coding with Arduino
Green screen
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Makerspace library-driven projects
 Currently: Making a 360 degree panoramic interactive
virtual tour of the library + digital storytelling
 Upcoming: Create online learning environment with
Minecraft EDU and explore interactivity with Kinect camera
 Hoping: to make a library robot
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
our evolving space
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
“All the things”
 iMac desktops
 3D printer & scanner
 3D doodler pens
 ScanNCut
 Eggbot
 Watercolorbot
 Panotour Pro software
 Minecraft EDU
 Google cardboard kits
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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 Edison robots
 LittleBits kits
 Arduinos, Rasberry pi
 Electronic bits & pieces
 Soldering set
 Electric Eel Wheel
 Sewing machine
 Badge maker
 Craft supplies
 Lego table
http://maker.library.curtin.edu.au
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Where to next?
 Continue to participate in events and projects
 Continue to develop the space and equipment
 Set up processes for administering and managing
access to space and equipment
 Get more library staff involved - utilise existing skills,
experience and interests and develop new ones
 Develop drop in sessions and a workshop program
 Implement methods of evaluating outcomes
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Resources and inspiration
 Worlds of Learning (Laura Fleming) http://worlds-of-learning.com/
 Renovated Learning (Diana Rendina) http://renovatedlearning.com/
 The Unquiet Librarian (Buffy Hamilton)
https://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/
 Tinkering Studio http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/
 Instructables http://www.instructables.com/
 Makerspace.com (MakerFaire) https://makerspace.com/
 A Librarians Guide to makerspaces – 16 resources
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/a-librarians-guide-to-makerspaces
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J