Library of the Future--Maker Spaces

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Some libraries are providing more customer friendly services which are accessible to low level readers.  The following summarizes a new trend --where libraries are moving from knowledge preserving to knowledge creation. These places are meant to be fun--even for adults, and since they foster making things--many adult learners may find the library a friendlier place for them to learn. Maker Spaces can also be centers for family literacy activities providing opportunities for Parent and Child Together Time.
The public library in Orlando is putting together a maker space. If your library is doing this, let us know. Or, you may want to talk with library staff to express your interest in partnering with the library as a volunteer literacy program. These spaces are very dependent on partnerships and volunteers.  Library of the FutureTHE MAKINGS OF MAKER SPACES. By: Britton, Lauren, Library Journal, 03630277,10/1/2012, Vol. 137, Issue 16A Maker space refers to peoplecoming together to create and share resources, knowledge, and"stuff."  It fosters a creationculture. The equipment and programming required is based on the purpose of themakerspace. The ideal maker space is meant to be fun!
"The biggest impediment topersonal fabrication is not technical; it's already possible to effectively doit," Gershenfeld writes. "And it's not training; the just-in-timepeer-to-peer model works as well in the field as at MIT. Rather, the biggestlimitation is simply the lack of knowledge that this is even possible."
Bleiweis says that, in true Makerfashion, the librarydoesn't know where it's going next with its Maker space. They are allowing thespace to evolve naturally.  Bleiweis saysthe library is there to provide theframework, not to be in charge. She says there is a shift from a librarianbeing the person who had all of the answers to the person who has questions andthe ability to find the answers.
Susan Hildreth, director of IMLS."We need to leverage what we know about learning and our trusted role aslearning places to help prepare our visitors for success in today's digitalworld. Maker culture is one way for libraries to support innovation andcreativity, using library spacein ways that people both want and need. The IMLS stands ready to supportlibraries in this way."
R. David Lankes, professor anddean's scholar for New Librarianship at Syracuse University, writes in TheAtlas of New Leadership, "Librarianship is not about artifacts, it is aboutknowledge and facilitating knowledge creation. So what should we be spendingour precious resources on? Knowledge creation tools, not the results ofknowledge creation."