If You Make It, They Will Come...if you make it somewhere else?

This Saturday program was highly disappointing.  The full title is:

If we make it, will they come? Could introducing creative spaces add value to your community?

Given it was a library conference I thought it would have something to do with libraries but sadly no.  It was about the history of maker spaces and what a maker space offers but if failed to make the connection to libraries. Instead they talked about forging swords (yes, making them at a Maker space forgery and pounding steel...for kids) and how they offer table saw safety certifications...    

I did walk away with a few ideas:

*Build a microscope (cardboard, paper, magnifying glass)

*E-Textiles (wearable electronics for fashion)

*Autism Spectrum Robotics Project at Longmont Public Library (seemed to be a theme this year-robotics and special needs.  Sounds like fun!)

*Electroluminescent

1. Electroluminescence (EL) is an optical phenomenon and electrical phenomenon in which a material emits light in response to the passage of an electric current or to a strong electric field.