Making a Makerspace Happen
Evelyn Kim, University of Maryland
This session was a in depth look at how one academic library researched, planned, and created a makerspace. There research included public library spaces and resulted in a white paper. Very interesting, practical tips were included on things to consider when creating a public space - such as staff training, safety, programs, pricing.
Happily, Melvin, Adam, Don, and other team members have done a lot of the leg work researching 3D printers with the recent grant and we already have programs up and running.
However, this is interesting information for us to think about for life after the grant. In an "Oregon Trail" analogy, it's always good to see where others crossed the river - did they make it to the other side or drowned - good to know if we want to cross the river. These folks made it to the other side and were kind enough to share how they did it.
If it sounds interesting, check out my notes below -
A) Central Planning Process (environmental scan between environments public, academic, etc.)
B) Implementation Process
C) Challenges / lessons learned
D) Current use & future directions
Health Sciences and Human Services Library. Special campus - health sciences, no art or engineering, medical school, dental school, pharmacy, etc.
Purchased a 3d printer (University of VA) - not in open, contact the librarian for use
University of Michigan.
Co-chaired task force, gathered information task force - write a report on recommendations for space. Wrote a white paper - 70 pages, over three months, site visits from John Hopkins and others.
Read literature and visited websites - staffing, services, programming, space structured, usage patterns, cost recovery funding. Not much literature, 12 or less, looked at 13 academic libraries. Little literature online, probably due to experimental nature. Mostly 3d printing, mostly science libraries, shorter hours, open by appointment, often staffed by students. Operated on media center standard, submit file, give to staff, staff prints, and notifies of pick up - charge by weight. High rate of peat users. University of Alabama has an open access model.
Now, 10 local makerspaces, pay monthly dues.
- 1,500 - 3,400 sq. ft mostly for space.
- 3d printer, scanner, laser cutter, cnc router, other machinery. Service equipment check out, group training, onsite help.
- Student fee vs. membership dues.
9 public libraries (communal space)
- 3d cookie cutter lab, r-pi, audio-engineering, robotics club, arduino, etc.
- space - large rooms- broad tables, equipment
- required classes before ability to work equipment
- sometimes limited to children / teens
Vision - support hands on learning with experimentation. Went with open studio model (no staff) and felt strongly helping people how to use, mandatory training, workshops. Created a programming committee.
April - July planning phase. Implementation. White paper submitted, presented to library. Nov. equipment in the library. Staff training Dec - Jan. Feb - Mar - all things implemented. April 21, 2015 innovation space launch.
Pricing = $3 for up to 1 hour of printing time, circulation desk - no library staff wanted to calculate by weight (did not want to upset staff), and wanted to make it easy for people who would want to print, based off of printing time instead, automatically give you price after you enter your print time
Staff - 4-5 orienters (all tech staff, 1 reference librarian)
Security - honor system has been fine so far (no money for locks)
DNA models (one onsite license), Molecular modeling kits, 3d sense scanner, broadcast camera, makerbot replicator 2x, assortment of filaments, large screen monitor
Challenges and lessons learned - budget (looking for grant funding - harder to find money now, usually better for many libraries / outreach), location, space, equipment security, staff training, pricing, payment, staffing, staff workflow, orientation
Lib guide created early on - staff hesitant to learn new training, step by step training guide for staff, IT had a month to explore 3d printers, build staff confidence - train everyone together, 2 hours - 3 hours common ground training for everyone, team exercise really had to go through it
* Tech tips and issues - high performance PC and special video card for 3d scanner
* Makerbot picky, only abs accepted
* Afinia H480 reliable
* Makerbot PLA is not compatible with Afinia
* No charge for failed print
* Biosafety of material (don't make a cup to drink out of)
* how small / large of an object?
Makerspace not for free due to cost so you can update equipment after 3 years. How will you make money after 3 years? Staff time money, staff expertise money, lights money, look for donations.
Print out many examples before launch. Live cam for 3d models, users love this! Good support / raft for models. Finishing tools (knife, etc.) because 3d prints do not come out perfect.
Currently on a 24 hour advance reservation basis. Orientation (first time mandatory) - 30 min to 1 hr. Make sure nothing obscene or against copyright printed. 3D printer demo very popular.
Science library example getting about 10 a month (successful space). So far they've had only print over the past few months - so is successful in comparison to gangbusters science library.
Future use - Tinkercad, more workshops, on demand classes from faculty, more outreach and promotion, expand space, talks and events, more workshops
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