Makerspaces in practice

CHICAGO — More than a decade since they first began to crop up, makerspaces continue to transform and revitalize libraries, tapping into patron creativity and fostering collaboration. In “Makerspaces in Practice: Successful Models for Implementation,” published by ALA Editions, editor Ellyssa Kroski gathers trailblazers of the maker movement from across the library spectrum to share their experiences and success stories. This volume is packed with programs and ideas you’ll be excited to implement at your own library. Learn what’s working (and what’s not) through first-hand perspectives on such topics as:

• survey results showing the most popular makerspace programs;
• 6 common makerspace challenges and the solutions to meet them;
• examples of successful local partnerships for public, academic, and school libraries;
• establishing norms that encourage safety and peer learning;
• meeting the needs of explorers, learners, and experts in your maker community;
• practical operational guidance, such as workflows for maintaining supplies like scissors, glue, and 3D printer filament;
• hardware and software choices that improve accessibility;
• new developments in 3D printers and modeling software;
• cataloging and circulating maker kits for crafting, soldering, and other projects;
• budgeting tips, including how to plan for ongoing operational costs;
• measuring outcomes in public library makerspaces; and
• future developments expected for library makerspaces and equipment.

Kroski is the Director of Information Technology and Marketing at the New York Law Institute. She is the editor and author of numerous books, including “The Makerspace Librarian's Sourcebook” and “Law Librarianship in the Age of AI,” for which she received AALL's 2020 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award. She is a librarian, an adjunct faculty member at Drexel and San Jose State Universities, and an international conference speaker. She received the 2017 Library Hi Tech Award from the ALA/LITA for her long-term contributions in the area of Library and Information Science technology and its application. She can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/author/ellyssa.

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