Makerspaces: A New Wave of Library Service

ALA TechSource and Library Boing Boing are offering an exciting series of free webinars, Makerspaces: A New Wave of Library Service. In this series of four 60-minute webinars, registrants will have the opportunity to learn about a fast-growing library phenomenon from librarians who have been ahead of the pack. Registration for this free event is available at http://goo.gl/oZYUR .

Learn what makerspaces are and how they work from librarians who are on the cutting edge of this movement. Each webinar will feature a panel of staff, administration and patrons from one of the libraries that have implemented a makerspace. They’ll talk about how their makerspace concept began, how it was designed and how it was implemented. You’ll learn about the maker movement in general, the role libraries are playing specifically and get ideas about how you can get involved and start a makerspace in your library.

Schedule:
Monday, Oct. 15, 2 p.m Eastern: Westport (Conn.) Public Library

Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, 2 p.m. Eastern: Cleveland Public Library

Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, 2 p.m. Eastern: Detroit Public Library

Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, 2 p.m. Eastern: Carnegie Library (Pittsburgh)

Registration: http://goo.gl/oZYUR .

Background: Makerspaces are taking hold in the library world and they are spreading quickly, popping up in libraries of all types and sizes. Makerspaces give people a place to pursue their own interests in building things, using tools (physical or virtual) and connecting with one another. Libraries have expanded on traditional library services to provide DIY/craft/make services, setting up spaces within their buildings and within their communities that allow people to do anything from building model airplanes to 3-D printing to self-publishing novels.