HANDS-ON LEARNING AND MAKERSPACES: HOW TO IMPLEMENT A CULTURE OF

CREATIVITY IN YOUR LIBRARY!MEGAN LOTTS, ART LIBRARIAN

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY

WHO AM I• Art librarian, Rutgers the State

University of New Jersey.• Reference librarian & liaison to: art

history, digital filmmaking, landscape architecture, and visual arts.

• Research interests: creativity, engagement, and making in academic libraries.

• MFA, trained in painting, but consider myself a site-specific conceptual artist.

Twitter: @MCLotts

OUTLINE• Brief history of making

• What is a makerspace

• Brief review of makerspaces in public & academic libraries

• Pop-up makerspaces at Rutgers University libraries• Holiday card making

• Edible books

• Polynomiography

• Art library coloring book

• Art library LEGO® playing station

• Button making

• Assessment, finding partners, making it happen, & conclusion

Twitter: @MCLotts

BRIEF HISTORY OF MAKING• 1873- Gowanda, NY the Gowanda ladies social society formed to quilt, knit, sew, socialist, and talk about books. In 1877, it became the ladies library association, receiving state library charter in 1900 as the Gowanda free library.

• 1960- Nebraska Library Commission funded for FY 1960 by the Library Services Act of 1956, the Nebraska Library Commission (then known as the Nebraska Public Library Commission) in Lincoln hosted a variety of special activities, including creative arts, that were organized by area groups.

• 2011- Fayetteville Free Library makerspace, the first 21st century makerspace opened in the Fayetteville Free Library. It was the first of its kind in a public library and includes a 3D printer that works in a mobile capacity.

Twitter: @MCLotts

WHAT IS A MAKERSPACE• Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online says...

• Wikipedia re-directs individuals to hackerspace, which is defined as a community space where people with common interests in technology come together to collaborate (“hackerspace”).

• According to makerspace.com, “[m]odeled after hackerspaces, a makerspace is a place where young people have an opportunity to explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials, and develop creative projects. (Hamilton, 2012).

Twitter: @MCLotts

WHAT IS A MAKERSPACE• Library as Incubator says, “[m]akerspaces are collaborative learning environments

where people come together to share materials and learn new skills…makerspaces are not necessarily born out of a specific set of materials or spaces but rather a mindset of community partnership, collaboration, and creation.”

• To put it more simply, Mark Hatch, (2014) at the time CEO of Techshop (a leader in commercial makerspaces) states, “A makerspace is a center or workspace where like-minded get together and make things” (Hatch, 2014, p.13).

Twitter: @MCLotts

WHAT IS A MAKERSPACE• Ellyssa Kroski notes, “makerspaces are creative, DIY spaces where people can gather

to create, invent, and learn,” also sees 4 types (Kroski, 2014):

• Fablabs- focus on providing access to electronic equipment such as laser cutters, routers, and milling machines.

• Hackerspaces- are places where computer programmers congregate to socialize and collaborate.

• Techshops- are a chain of for-profit spaces that charge membership fees to use their high tech industrial tools.

• Makerspaces- are places where individuals come to solve problems with hands-on learning.

Twitter: @MCLotts

WHAT'S IN A MAKERSPACE• High tech: 3D printers, digital recording equip, computers, laser cutters, video & photo

editing, and some of the commercial spaces have serious tools.

• Low tech: coloring implements, colored paper, crafting supplies, duct tape, LEGO®, scissors, adhesives, etc…

• In a blog post, your curriculum is not about 3D printers or zombies, Troy Swanson interviewed Justin Hoenke, who believes, “if libraries want to get into the maker movement, they don’t really need a 3D printer. They really just need a roll of duct tape and some raw materials to use in building” (Swanson, 2014).

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REVIEW OF MAKERSPACES • Makerspaces in academic libraries

• Makerspaces in public libraries

• Commercial spaces

• Mobile makerspaces

• Pop-up makerspaces

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ACADEMIC• Dearth of established scholarly literature (More-field Lang (2015) & Rich (2014).

• Web survey 2013: 36% of 109 libraries were academic & less than 1 yr old (Burke, 2013).

• In his survey of makerspaces from 2013, Burke notes that academic libraries tend to lean towards digital creation when it comes to makerspaces, while excluding activities that involve physical making such as arts and crafts, as well as LEGO® (Burke, 2015).

• Fisher believes that currently there is a shift in the academic landscape, as we are moving from a traditional teaching culture to more active learning techniques (Fisher, 2012).

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ACADEMIC• Caitlin Bagley’s Makerspaces: Top Trailblazing Projects worthy study of how to create a

makerspace in an academic library (ALA, 2014).

• In a 2015 study, Moorefield-Lang interviewed 12 librarians about makerspaces. Four of these interviews discuss makerspaces in academic libraries (Moorefield-Lang, 2015).

• In A Survey of Makerspaces in Academic Libraries, a master’s thesis by Samantha N. Rich, the author sent out a survey of 10 questions about the role of makerspaces in academic libraries (Rich, 2014).

• Pop-up making spaces (Lotts, 2015).

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PUBLIC• Bubbler/Madison Public Library: http://madisonbubbler.Org/

• Fayetteville Free Library: https://www.Fflib.Org/make/makerspace-faqs

• Harold Washington Library Center/Chicago Public Library: http://www.Chipublib.Org/maker-lab/

• Makerjawn: http://makerjawn.Org/about/

• The Hive: http://www.Hcplc.Org/hcplc/locations/hve/

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CONCERNS ABOUT MAKERSPACES• Is it messy?

• Does it smell?

• How much space will one need?

• Who will run the space(s)?

• How much is all this going to cost?

• How will we sustain this?

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POP-UP MAKERSPACES• Low cost.

• Easy to put up, take down, & store.

• Foster creativity & critical thinking skills.

• Create spontaneous community.

• Encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration.

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POP-UP MAKERSPACES• Baskets of yarn and knitting needle, box-making, confess your stress

selfie photo booth, coloring, graffiti walls, jigsaw puzzles, LEGOâ, origami, pumpkin decorating, snowflake making, linocut lessons, music clubs, zine nights, beading circles, sketch book project book making workshops.

• Recreation station including; toothpicks, pipe cleaners, fabric, paper, and googly eyes.

• Making cart.

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POP-UP MAKING AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES• Holiday card making.

• Edible books.

• Polynomiography.

• Art library LEGO® playing station.

• Art library coloring book.

• Button making.

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HOLIDAY CARD MAKERSPACE• All materials used to make were donated by RUL faculty & staff.

• Associate university librarian of reference & instruction donated stamps & cookies.

• RUL administrative staff made coffee with in-house supplies.

• 2 banquet tables & chairs.

• In the future more cookies, less stamps.

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HOLIDAY CARD MAKERSPACE

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EDIBLE BOOKS• Founded in 1999 by Beatrice Coron & Judith Hoffberg.

• Categories: puniest, most edible, least edible, public choice, best book structure, & best in show.

• Guest judges & cross disciplinary collaboration w/ course from Mason Gross Visual Arts Department.

• Sponsors & prizes.

• Created a dialogue about rare materials, how does one catalog an edible book, and what other kind of books & materials does the library have.

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EDIBLE BOOKS

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EDIBLE BOOKS

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POLYNOMIOGRAPHY• Cross-disciplinary collaboration w/ Bahman Kalantari.

• Borrowed the laptops from RUL administrative & art library laptops.

• Software created by Bahman Kalantari.

• Student volunteers.

• Engaged individuals of all ages.

• No fiscal cost, excluding time.

• Art library intern curated an exhibit titled Natural Beauty: Art in Math and Science.

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POLYNOMIOGRAPHYLIBRARY OF SCIENCE & MEDICINE (LSM)- RUTGERS

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POLYNOMIOGRAPHYART LIBRARY- RUTGERS

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ART LIBRARY LEGO® PLAYING STATION• Have held over 20 events using the LEGO®.

• Publicity was key.

• Engaged with multiple departments on Rutgers campuses.

• Used on a daily basis, regularly find interesting models.

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ART LIBRARY LEGO® PLAYING STATION• Installed in August 2014.

• Used existing table & chairs.

• Created signage, “Take pics not LEGO”.

• Comment box w/ paper & pen.

• All legos were upcycled for project.

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PRESS

Check out Rutgers today (Bowman 2014) https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=izhhlwoy9yc

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RU LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DEPT. EDA COURSE 100-1ST YEAR L.A. STUDENTS

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ACADEMIC COACHES RUTGERS LEARNING CENTERS

• January 2015- team building LEGO® workshop w/ 6 academic coaches for an introduction to the library & information literacy skills.• Following the art library intern

created a series of posters for the academic coaches to use as talking points w/ their clients.

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RU LIBRARY FACULTY & STAFF SPRING STRESSBUSTING LEGO PLAY

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NEW JERSEY’S FIRST ANNUAL MAKER DAYBLOCK PARTY AT RUTGERS ART LIBRARY

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LEGO WORKSHOP CAMDEN STUDENT CENTER 28 STUDENT EMPLOYEES.

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ART LIBRARY LEGO® PLAYING STATION

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ART LIBRARY LEGO® PLAYING STATION

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ART LIBRARY LEGO® PLAYING STATION

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#LEGOMAKE TOUR• 6 week tour by car w/100 lbs. of

LEGO®.• Visited 20 academic libraries in 7

states facilitating workshops that foster creative & critical thinking skills, as well as encouraging team work.

• Worked with 240 individuals. • Lotts, Megan. “On the Road, Playing

with LEGO, and Learning about the Library: the Rutgers Art Library Lego Playing Station, Part Two.” Journal of Library Administration, vol. 56, iss.5 (Summer 2016).

Twitter: @MCLotts

ART LIBRARY COLORING BOOK• October 3, 2016, art library held a pop-up coloring event to release book & highlight

materials from the collection (Albers & Lynda Barry coloring book).

• Color the archives- later approached by office of disability services.

• Printed 500, edition copies were circulated over 3 week span.

• Total cost $330 for printing and 500 packages of pre-wrapped crayons

• Opportunity for individuals to post images to Twitter or Instagram.

• Self-driven, hands-on, learning opportunity.

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ART LIBRARY COLORING BOOK

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ART LIBRARY COLORING BOOK

Queens Building, Historic American Buildings Survey Special Collections and University Archives (@Rutgers_SCUA)

Coloring the Archives

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BUTTON MAKING• Button maker is worth its weight in gold. A magnet for engagement- we’ve held 5 events &

collaborated with art history, visual arts, Zimmerli Art Museum, and SAS honors program.

• Initial investment $500 for machines including supplies for 1000 buttons. Re-ordering supplies, 8 cents a button.

• Participants are mesmerized when they create & make their own button.

• Events provide an opportunity to talk about images, fair use and copyright, & we always get a few reference & follow-up questions.

• Fast, low cost, hands-on making activity that includes an opportunity to engage, and the participant gets a take away.

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BUTTON MAKING

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ASSESSMENT• Documentation- analyze the images.

• Surveys.

• Monitor & count social media.

• Observation & stories.

• Counting reference questions.

• Rutgers formed the events assessment task force

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FINDING PARTNERS & MAKING IN HAPPEN IN YOUR LIBRARY• You don’t need a lot money to create a makerspace, crowdsource materials, share costs.

• Marketing & outreach.

• Cross-disciplinary collaboration, find good partnerships.

• Incentives can help.

Twitter: @MCLotts

RE-CAP• Brief history of making

• What is a makerspace

• Review of makerspaces in libraries

• Pop-up makerspaces at Rutgers University Libraries• Holiday card making• Edible books• Polynomiography• Art library coloring book• Art library LEGO® playing station• Button making

• Assessment, finding partners & making it happen

Twitter: @MCLotts

FINAL THOUGHTS…• Creativity & making can stimulate broader conversations among patrons and library

employees about the value of the libraries, and what’s possible.

• Makerspaces can be affordable scholarly fun, and a way to engage w/patrons as well as,

connect to communities.

Twitter: @MCLotts

FINAL THOUGHTS…• Making, provides opportunities for, & encourages cross disciplinary collaboration.

• Patrons are more likely to learn and/or come back when they are having fun!

• Creativity, making, & engagement helps build critical thinking skills & these are skills

that are applicable to library research.

Twitter: @MCLotts

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• Library & Maker Culture: A Resource Guide: http://library-maker-culture.Weebly.Com/makerspaces-in-

libraries.Html

• Library as Incubator: http://www.Libraryasincubatorproject.Org/

• Make it @ Your Library: http://makeitatyourlibrary.Org/

• Make Magazine: http://makezine.Com/

• Makerfaire: http://makerfaire.Com/

• Makerspace resources: http://www.Users.Miamioh.Edu/burkejj/makerspaces.Html

• Facebook- makerspaces & the participatory library: https://www.Facebook.Com/groups/librarymaker/

Twitter: @MCLotts

REFERENCES• A History of Making. (2013, February 6). American Libraries. Retrieved August 3, 2015, from

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.Org/2013/02/06/manufacturing-makerspaces/

• Bowman, C. (Producer). (2014). Lego Building Fosters Creativity on Rutgers Campus [online video]. New Brunswick: Rutgers Today. Retrieved August 3, 2015, from https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=izhhlwoy9yc

• Burke, J. (2013). Makerspaces in Libraries Survey Results 2013. Retrieved from http://www.Users.Miamioh.Edu/burkejj/makerspaces%20in%20libraries%20survey%20results%202013.pdf

• Burke, J. (2015). Making Sense: Can Makerspaces Work in Academic Libraries? [Electronic version]. ACRL Conference Proceedings, 497-504. http://www.Ala.Org/acrl/sites/ala.Org.Acrl/files/content/conferences/confsandpreconfs/2015/burke.pdf

Twitter: @MCLotts

REFERENCES • Hamilton, B. (2012, June 28). Makerspaces, Participatory Learning, and Libraries. The Unquiet Librarian.

Retrieved from https://theunquietlibrarian.Wordpress.Com/2012/06/28/makerspaces-participatory-learning-and-libraries/

• Kroski, E. (2014, October 15). The 4 Flavors of Makerspaces. In open education database. Retrieved from http://oedb.Org/ilibrarian/4-flavors-makerspaces/

• Hatch, M. (2014). The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers. New York: McGraw-Hill Education. 13.

• Hackerspace. (N.D.). On Wikipedia. Retrieved August 3, 2015, from https://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/hackerspace

Twitter: @MCLotts

REFERENCES • Lotts, M. (2015, February). Implementing a Culture of Creativity: Pop-up Making Spaces and Participating Event

in Academic Libraries [electronic version]. C & RL News, 76 (2), 72-75. Doi: http://dx.Doi.Org/doi:10.7282/t3d2208v

• Moorefield-Lang, H. (2015, May). Change in the Making: Makerspaces and the Ever-changing Landscape of Libraries. Techtrends, 59(3), 107-112.

• Rich, S.N. (2014). A Survey of Makerspaces in Academic Libraries. Https://cdr.Lib.Unc.Edu/record/uuid:b8da8527-b84f-4d47-bc79-014c67942e9f

• Swanson, T. (2014, April 17). Your Curriculum is not about 3D Printers or Zombies. TTW: Tame the Web. Retrieved from http://tametheweb.Com/2014/04/17/your-curriculum-is-not-about-3d-printers-or-zombies-by-ttw-contributor-troy-swanson/

Twitter: @MCLotts

QUESTIONSMegan Lotts, MFA, M.L.I.S Art Librarian Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (848)932-7189 megan.lotts@rutgers.eduwww.meganlotts.comlink to work in RUcore http://soar.libraries.rutgers.edu/bib/Megan_Lotts/

Twitter: @MCLotts