Third Thursday Twitter Chat November 2017 - Best Practices in Makerspaces

I'm doing a Twitter chat about makerspaces tomorrow! Won't you join us? #MCLSchat  https://twitter.com/mclsorg/status/926066390712406017 …

We’ll get started in a minute on our chat about makerspaces. Tell us who you are and where you’re tweeting from. #mclschat

Val Meyerson - Petoskey #mclschat

Anna, Eaton Rapids #mclschat

April - Battle Creek #mclschat

Welcome @AnnaZichiCurtis, @vmeyerson, @MsChrystalB! #mclschat

Welcome @aprildillinger! #mclschat

Courtney Brown, Indiana State Library. #mclschat

Welcome @to_the_max! #mclschat

Jan Davidson from MCLS in Lansing #mclschat

Please welcome Leanne Nay from IU Libraries and Rich Weiland from Adams Public Library as our guests for this chat! #mclschat

Q1 What equipment & services do you offer in your makerspaces? #mclschat

A1 We have VHS/DVD conversion - video editing - negatives/slides conversion to digital - 3D printers & 3D modeling software… #mclschat

A1 Scanner & Adobe Creative Cloud - musical keyboard & recording software - sewing machine - Cricut machine/Cricut Access #mclschat

A1 We also have events, such as book folding and adult coloring #mclschat

A1 We have a maker cart and offer workshops called Maker Mondays. The library is part of a network of makerspaces at IUB. #mclschat

A1 We have a makerspace kit. It's mobile so we can share it with IN libraries. #mclschat

A1 Snap Circuits, Makey Makey, Creopop Pen, VR headset. #mclschat

A1 I love the mobile maker ideas. Gives a lot of flexibility! #mclschat

A1 We are hoping to reeceive grant funding to create mobil kits that the public can check out. The kits would include science type projects. #mclschat

A1 At my previous library, we had maker boxes that we would bring out and use with kids. We had no physical place to put a maker space. #mclschat

Q2 How are your spaces staffed? #mclschat

A2 We have one full-time and two part-time. The Makerspace is open during library hours. #mclschat

A2 I lead workshops & events with the help of my colleagues and graduate students. #mclschat

A2 our makerspace is located next to the teen room and our Tech Mgr office. Those two folks staff most of the time. #mclschat

A2 our teen/tech staff also offer the "certification" classes for some of the equipment. #mclschat

Love this! RT @vmeyerson: A2 our teen/tech staff also offer the "certification" classes for some of the equipment. #mclschat

Looking to create a space. Very curious about staffing, hours & security. #mclschat

Q3 What rules/policies do you have for your space? #mclschat

A3 First come/ first serve, with a staff member present at all times. Age restriction of 9yrs +. #mclschat

A3 We’re small enough that we don’t have any rules/policies beyond that of our library. #mclschat

A3 We have a Liability Waiver when necessary. No food, drinks OK in sealable cups/bottles. #mclschat

A3 We do have an agreement that users are supposed to sign. Certain euipment requires "certification." I have found we are not that diligent in this requirement. It's hard to monitor. #mclschat

A3 we also have a waiver that also includes the confirmation of certification. #mclschat

That’s a very interesting concept @vmeyerson - an interesting way to get buy in? #mclschat

A3 but staff is not that diligent in this requirement. #mclschat

Q4 What challenges have you faced? #mclschat

A4 Our biggest challenge has been marketing, getting the public to know the equipment & services that are available for use. #mclschat

A4 Would love to have a dedicated space, but space is limited in our library. More partner units + more students = cozy #mclschat

How do you secure expensive equipment? #mclschat

@aprildillinger All of our equipment is behind a door that is locked when unstaffed #mclschat

@aplsrich Agreed! Word of mouth is powerful, but takes time. #mclschat

A4 I thing marketing is a big issue too. #mclschat

A4 Marketing is also our biggest issue. #mclschat

@aplsrich @aprildillinger Do you think that prevents accessibility to your equipment? Are patrons aware that stuff is available. #mclschat

@to_the_max The makerspace is open during all library hours #mclschat

To help publicize - we partner w/ our local robotics team. They do our 3D printer training/certification. #mclschat

@vmeyerson That's great! #mclschat

Keeping the equipment visible during open hours helps publicity - especially when a 3D print job is running. #mclschat

@vmeyerson Agreed, the 3D printer running is the best attraction. #mclschat

Q5 What are some best practices for makerspaces in academic libraries? #mclschat

A5 Strive to keep your spaces open to all! Grads, undergrads, faculty, staff & community members. #mclschat

Q6 What are some great success stories from your spaces? #mclschat

A6 We had a successful after school club where kids made an invention and printed it with the 3D printer. #mclschat

A6 We had a young lady and her bridesmaid come in and use the Cricut for her wedding decorations. #mclschat

A6 We have had entrepreneurs 3D print their prototypes for their investors. #mclschat

@to_the_max Robotics team is - they talk about the library at the high school. In exchange we provide free prints. #mclschat

A6 at my previous library, someone take some of our makerboxes to the local nursing home. They were amazed so we offered... #mclschat

@aplsrich Love this! We have a Silhouette Cameo and it's great for holiday programming. 🎃🦃💌 #mclschat

A6 Uniting siloed makerspaces across campus, including those in Education, Art & Informatics. The library is a neutral hub. #mclschat

A6 cont.a few maker programs aimed at senior citizens. Then we saw some grandparents come in with their grandkids to maker program #mclschat

Sorry for the errors, I should be editing my tweets but I'm TOO EXCITED! Haha. #mclschat

@to_the_max what a great way to get out into the community and engage! #mclschat

@to_the_max What is included inside your makerboxes that you can take out to the community. #mclschat

@aplsrich For that particular visit, we used the app Quiver on an iPad. It will turn coloring pages 3D on the screen. And... #mclschat

@aplsrich I think robots were there too. Ollie. #mclschat

@to_the_max @aplsrich Just showed an undergrad the Sphero this morning..."This is the most fun I've had ALL YEAR!" #mclschat

@aplsrich One grandma came in with granddaughter after that and they made a video game controller with Play-Doh and Makey Makey #mclschat

@hey_library Love this! #mclschat

@to_the_max That is awesome! #mclschat

@to_the_max @aplsrich So cool! Have you ever done a human piano with MaKey MaKey? That's my favorite icebreaker. #mclschat

@hey_library That sounds like a great idea! I will use that one! #mclschat

@hey_library I haven't but I've seen the video online. SO COOL! #mclschat

A6 We had an elderly woman come in & learn how to convert slides to digital to share with her grandaughter. #mclschat

Q7 Have any community partnerships come out of having your makerspaces? #mclschat

A7 We haven't had any formal partnerships, but we do have other organizations come in to use the equipment and services. #mclschat

A7 We partner with the YMCA for their FIRST Lego League Jr. program which they host in our Makerspace. #mclschat

A7 Lots of partnerships within the library. Learning to highlight different collections across our huge library system. #mclschat

A7 We've tried maker workshops using content from our university archives, film archives & mapping collections. #mclschat

@hey_library Cool! What kind of stuff did you make in these workshops? #mclschat

@to_the_max Archives=GIFs from photos, Film Archives=Direct animation, Maps=Embroidered maps #mclschat

@hey_library Neat! #mclschat

@hey_library love the embroidered map idea! #mclschat

I'll focus on Michigan Makers at local 3rd grade and middle grade schools: we offer many low-cost options, and fewer digital options so kids can replicate what we bring in later #mclschat A1  https://twitter.com/mclsorg/status/931235694500024320 …

Q8 What would you recommend as a must have or must do in a makerspace? #mclschat

A8 Make sure everyone feels comfortable in your makerspace! It is more about creating, than the equipment used to create. #mclschat

A8 The equipment can be intimidating, help people feel comfortable experimenting. “Failure” is ok, then teach them how to fix it! #mclschat

A8 Consumables are a must! We like #Sparkfun & #Adafruit for tinkering with electronics. Making things light up never gets old. #mclschat

@aplsrich 👏👏👏 #mclschat

@aplsrich Yes! #mclschat

A2 We staff Maker Mentors with grad students (like me!), who are able to bring their own interests to the table and motivate learners in a unique way! This semester we have someone who loves to sew! (I'm learning a lot!) #mclschat  https://twitter.com/mclsorg/status/931236430017433600 …

Q9 What would you rethink having or doing in your makerspace? #mclschat

A9 We have been open for over a year now, and I still feel like we are learning what is wanted or needed by the community. #mclschat

Q9 We’re moving away from buying individual items & trying to buy sets of the same thing. Less variety, but better for teaching. #mclschat

A9 I would say there isn’t anything to rethink. We’re still developing programs & events that would be of interest to people. #mclschat

Q9 Don't hide your equipment away in a room or closet. Get it out where that patrons can see it and use it. #mclschat

That should be A9...like I said, excited. #mclschat

A3 You can only take something home if you made it, or transformed it. You get snacks when you sit down and are ready to go. Try, try again! Tell us what you learn! #mclschat  https://twitter.com/mclsorg/status/931237801718419456 …

@to_the_max Agree about not hiding equipment! #mclschat

A9 agree @aplsrich - still formulating and changing based on what is being used, not used and asked about. #mclschat

@aplsrich @to_the_max Word. Even if you're mobile there are plenty of ways to make your equipment visible and easy to share. #mclschat

Q10 What do you think is the future of makerspaces? #mclschat

A10 I feel that the makerspace will become the 'go to' place for people to try new ideas/ concepts. #mclschat

A10 Integrating making into course curriculum, low-tech & screen-free spaces, intergenerational programs. #mclschat

A10 Those wanting to develop a new skill will come into their local library first to see if their makerspace can accommodate them. #mclschat

Q11 Any last minute thoughts you want to share? #mclschat

A11 Own your makerspace, no matter how big/small, high tech/low tech. #mclschat

A11 Make spaces don’t have to be high tech - some of the best have all low tech equipment #mclschat

Thanks for one of our more interactive chats, everyone! Loving learning more about makerspaces. #mclschat

YES. It doesn't have to be high tech. RT @hey_library A11 Own your makerspace, no matter how big/small, high tech/low tech. #mclschat

Recommended reading along these lines from @DianaLRendina:  http://renovatedlearning.com/2015/04/02/defining-makerspaces-part-1/ … #mclschat

That’s all the time we have for today. Thank you Leanne and Rich for the great information! #mclschat

#MCLSchat. Rudie Noble, IT Director at Canton Public, I have "listened" in and appreciate your time to provide your experience and insights.

No Dec Twitter Chat! Have a great month and we’ll see you again in January! #mclschat

Jan 19, 2018 will be on Human Library with guests Allison McFadden-Keesling & Trisha Shively who have both hosted HL events! #mclschat

Thank you for this time! #mclschat

Thanks y'all! #mclschat

Thank you everyone! #mclschat