Makerspaces belong in School Libraries


     

    According to Dr.Laura Fleming, makerspaces are “a unique learning environment that encourages tinkering, play, and open-ended exploration for all”(Fleming, 2019).  With libraries becoming more modern, it seems as if makerspaces are popping up everywhere. Makerspaces provides access to physical resources such as materials for crafting, engineering, design, robotics, or media. In particular, makerspaces would be extremely useful in elementary libraries. “Integrating a makerspace within the school library is a means “to boldly go” beyond the traditional offerings of library programming” (Davis, 2017).  In her PowerPoint, Dr. Fleming provided us with great examples of makerspaces around the world. However, I must first brag on Richland County Library’s makerspace located in Columbia, SC. I had the opportunity to visit there during the time that they were remodeling which was about two years ago. When we got to the makerspaces area, I fell in love. The makerspace and woodshop consist of special equipment and tools that can used to create projects. It also provides patrons with orientations on how to use the equipment, and gives them the opportunity to work independently in the spaces.  The blogshare that I would like to bring your attention to for this week was written by Angie Mitchell, entitled, “Creating a Makerspace in an Elementary School Library.”
In this blog, the author explains that she doesn’t have a makerspace in her library, but she makes do with what she has by setting up stations and using them as makerspaces.



Her first makerspace is a called the MakeyMakey.  It is described as an invention kit for the 21st century. It helps students connect the world to their computers. Indeed this is a wonderful way to help students interact with their computers more. The author also gave us great ideas on other ways we could use “MakeyMakey”.  This is a great program for all librarians to use in order to make children more excited about coming in the library.
 The second station she used was called “Littlebits”. This program is catered towards students of all ages. “LittleBits offers various “kits,” which house building blocks fitted with circuits boards, buttons, switches, wires, and other goodies that interlock magnetically.” (Ismail, 2017). This particular station can be used in the classrooms and library as a lesson on coding. It has a coding kit that has 16 colored coded bits which are organized into easy-to-understand categories. This gives students the opportunity to become more familiarized with “coding” all while learning other lessons.  Ms. Mitchell also mentioned the idea of a chalkboard tablecloth that she used with her students. This is a wonderful makerspace item that can be used to give students a different format for writing. In particular, in an elementary school library, I would use this for students to practice their sight words on. This also encourages group elaboration, centers, and creates more excitement in the classroom.  

The author’s last station is the Stikbot station. This was one of my favorites that I plan to utilize in my own library.  The Station is simple to create, but takes time to finish. In this case,  stikbots were used to make a stop animation movie. For the longest, my students has been requesting that we create movies using the film making program on their chromebooks. This is a definitely a better idea. It gives students the opportunity to do hands on work, and create something from scratch themselves. I know my students would enjoy this project. 
         Overall, makerspaces are definitely needed in elementary libraries. It is the new modern arts and crafts. So many times, students come in the library experiencing the same services, such as book read aloud,  checking out books, and spending time on the computers. As librarians, it is our job to create change in the library. What better way then starting with creating our own makerspaces. This blogshare doesn’t only present new ideas, but it gives hope to librarians that may be dealing with limited space, for the little bit of space that I do have in the library to create our own makerspace. This is a perfect example of taking something small and making the best out of it. These are all great stations that I am positive would be a great hit in any school library.   

Davis, M. (2017, 11 27). Getting Smart. Retrieved from
     https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/11/school-library-makerspaces-the-bold-the-brave-and-the
     unintiated/: https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/11/school-library-makerspaces-the-bold-the-brave
     and-the-unintiated/

Ismail, A. (2017, 06 12). LittleBits Code Kit review. Retrieved from Digital Trends:
      https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/littlebits-code-kit-review/






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