Makerspaces and the Maker Revolution

Will Goad

What is A Makerspace?

The popular story of the makerspace draws a line from the earliest of human invention, through the industrial revolution, and to today’s computerized workshops. As one such history states: “Humans have made as long as they have existed.” (Burke, 2018) It is common to see the makerspace as the newest iteration of the longstanding tradition of human invention. These narratives, rather deservedly, portray makerspaces as natural spaces to harbor human innovation and creation. That, creation, is the defining trait of a makerspace. It can be beneficial to not imagine makerspaces as their own individual thing, but rather to view them as communal, collaborative workshops. Recognized ‘makerspaces’ have only really begun to spring up after the last decade. They are so similar to other creation spaces that it can be hard to pin down exactly when the “makerspace” came into being as a distinct idea.

Defining a makerspace is difficult, not just because the term is newer, but because makerspaces can take and exist in a myriad of nearly infinite forms. The makerspace, as you will see has a rather elastic definition. As other information professionals confess “There is not a true uniform definition of what a makerspace can be, which can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to identifying one.” (Caitlin A. Bagley 2014). Even by naming conventions, makerspaces take many monikers: Fab labs, maker labs, creation corners, or even as hacker labs. As At its core, a makerspace is any location that facilitates creation and the dissemination of knowledge or technique. A makerspace ideally allows for the creation of any craft, through any means, and gives the power of production to the community and its people.

Just as in the case of appearance, location does not dictate whether or not a place is regarded as a makerspace. This is to say that makerspaces do not need to be in a library. A makerspace can be anywhere, so-long as it is operating as a meeting place or community center. It is important to know that, while makerspaces and libraries are uniquely slated for being mutually beneficial to each other’s existence (this point will be brought up later.), one can,  and often does, exist without the other.

Another crucial point to be made about makerspaces is their structure, or rather the lack-thereof. A makerspace facilitates creation, and does not dictate creation. The space should have resident, or community, experts to instruct patrons on how to safely operate equipment and machinery, but their role should never exceed that of an advisor or instructor. The makerspace should be an educational space, not an assembly line where the creator is told what to make. Makerspaces are, again, simply a space that has been reserved for the sole purpose of creation through a ‘grassroots’ non-hierarchical or near-anarchistic means of production.

What could be in a Makerspace?

All of the above images are of makerspaces within the United States. As you can see, there is a wide variety of tools and crafts that can be seen and exercised in a makerspace. Everything from building and coding a computer to sewing on a button or patching up ripped pants are activities that could be done in a makerspace with makerspace tools. Some people visit makerspaces to learn traditional or vintage customs of crafting, while others visit for cutting-edge, emerging technologies like 3D printers or laser engraving machines. Just about anything that can create can be included in a makerspace.

It can be hard to envision a makerspace if ANYTHING can be in a makerspace; but, makerspaces should ideally have what the individual does not have, yet has interest in. While this could still be any number of things and limited by any number of factors, it can be a good starting point to identify the intersection of what technology is making headlines and what technology of creation people in your community cannot afford. The result, for the moment, has resulted in 3D Printers, Virtual Reality Gear, Computers, and high-end consumer crafting products (like the cricut brand) being found almost universally across most self-identifying makerspaces.

Why are Makerspaces in Libraries?

As discussed before, a makerspace does not need to be in a library. A makerspace could feasibly be anywhere, even in someone’s personal garage. (Kemp, c1) Why though, do makerspaces appear so frequently in libraries? Upon first thought it, it may not seem like makerspaces and libraries have anything to do with one another. After all, a library is quiet and filled with useless books, while a makerspace is loud and houses machinery. In popular consciousness, the two spaces may as well be polar opposites. It may even feel to some like many libraries are simply jumping onto a fad by including makerspaces. This is however flatly inaccurate. Libraries and makerspaces have many overlapping goal and interests. It benefits both organizations to work together, if not to be thoroughly inter-connected. As you will see, the shared focus on serving the community and goal of sharing information uniquely position makerspaces as useful, if not necessary, library spaces.

Pairing with Library Philosophy

It may not seem like it, but there are many ways that the makerspace serves the fundamental tenets of librarianship. This is especially evident when the time is taken to reflect again on Ranganathan’s laws of librarianship. Ranganathan himself wrote in a dialog between the laws of library science that “you (the first law of library science) don’t want the library to continue as a dead storehouse of books. You want it fitted up as a first-class workshop, with first-rate amenities.”(Ranganathan, 43) Makerspaces may be more like a workshop in a library, instead of transforming the library into a workshop; however, they feed into the underpinning drives of library philosophy.

Even if makers cannot transform the entire library into a workshop, having a makerspace in a library vastly enhances the strength and depth of any collection. Applied sciences, art, design, architecture, history, computer science, and sciences of all kinds each have unique intersections, or relate directly to, acts of creation, tinkering, and workshopping. A makerspace does more than allow the patron to create, but instead offers the patron an added dimension through which to engage with the library’s information resources. The makerspace has the potential to take the library from that dead storehouse of books. The makerspace can push  engage with what would otherwise remain abstract.

The aspiring librarian will find that open access is one of the foundations on which all of Ranganathan’s laws are based on. At the very least, open access to materials serves to support the greater mission of each law. This chapter will dive into the deeper aspects of access later, but it is vital to see how simply hosting a machine for open and free use improve can offer opportunities for exposure that were not previously possible.

It is also vital to remember Ranganathan’s fifth and final law of Library Science. That is that “The library is always changing.” To keep the library as a relevant institution, librarians must make sure that the library remains a dynamic organism moving into the future. This means changing and adapting to the ways that people learn and interact with each other. It also means listening to the host communities that the library inhabits. A librarian exists to facilitate the flow of information, and as such librarians need to accept spaces (without books) that facilitate that flow. Makerspaces are exactly that. The fifth law also serves as the best explanations as to why libraries have been so quick to adopt makerspaces. The fact is that librarians are, rightfully, systematically encouraged to change the library for these exact reasons. So long as information instructors preach Ranganathan, there is hope that the library may keep changing.

Libraries as Community Hubs

One thing that definitively makes a makerspace a makerspace is the idea that the makerspace should function as a communal, gathering place. This is where libraries excel as hosts for makerspaces. Libraries as third places would be a great module to steal sources for this section but at the moment I am too lazy to do the actual work for this.

Ideally, libraries are already providing their communities with all they need to create. “With their endless source of research materials, Internet access, and public atmosphere, what better place for a Makerspace.” (Kemp, 2013) A core belief of librarianship is that the library exists to facilitate the spread of information, and makerspaces facilitate collaboration, or the sharing of information between people. In a way, both libraries and makerspaces share the exact same mission. The resources of the library facilitate the use of the makerspace, and bilaterally the resources of the makerspace should drive patrons to interact more with the library’s resources. This is bluntly stated in the fact that “A 3D printer does not do anything without instructions for a design.” (Willingham and de Boer, chapter 3) As this implies, there is much more that goes into 3D printing than just buying a 3D printer. There at least then needs to be a computer with slicing software, the correct filament to print, and the right tools to clean up the print. Of course, there needs to be the presence of expertise to guide the patron on how to use and apply the tools that are provided. This is where the library shines as a host for makerspaces, as books, the internet, and librarians can provide the information needed to inspire creation to the curious maker.

Functions Within the Library

The inclusion of a makerspace in a library is superbly beneficial for the day-to-day function of the library. As has already been discussed, the makerspace is far more than a room with cool gadgets and gizmos for flash and fun. Beyond aligning with library philosophy, makerspaces give the library the ability to produce for themselves and maintain a practical learning classroom. Makerspaces allow libraries to:

1. 1. Attract patrons interested in Engineering and Design
   2. Host Practical education events within the makerspace
   3. Create their own marketing materials
   4. Serve as educational outreach for youth

The makerspace opens up opportunities for any type of library. “It (the makerspace) acts as a common place for our youth to learn and explore engineering concepts, community members to organize and share designs, and it offers an extension to the classroom environment.” (Kemp, 2013) The makerspace, better than any café, store or lounge, invigorates people to come to the library, interact with one another and to discover the information that is held by their fellow community members. This spreading of information from person to person does nothing but help the library’s goal of information dissemination and accessibility by hosting the space and the materials to facilitate creation and collaboration.

Makerspaces and the Community

As discussed earlier, community inclusion and contribution are vital for the success of any makerspace. This is first because the purpose of the makerspace is to serve the community. Without being used, the makerspace is more of a liability and waste of resources than a valuable addition to  but also because makerspaces only operate as a place where information can be exchanged. A makerspace does not intrinsically hold information, but rather a makerspaces facilitates the conversations between makers of similar and different interests. Not only that, but, as discussed earlier, the makerspace can act a meeting place for creators. All of this together means that makerspaces have the unique availability to operate as freeform classrooms expanding the availability to the means of production, creation and education.

Resource Dissemination

Perhaps the greatest benefit of makerspace inclusion is not their technological role, but their social roles. As discussed earlier, makerspaces are much more than a place where people can make stuff. Although, that is partially their purpose. The space is instead more directly intended to facilitate the spread of information between makers. This can be directly through instruction events or educational outreach, but it is even better when patrons get together themselves to talk and share the techniques of their trade.

Sometimes, a conversation can start an information exchange that is much greater than that of the exchange between a reader and a book. Friendships, mentors-mentees, and student-learner all facilitate these conversations and continued information-sharing relationships. A makerspace not only makes one-off conversations between makers possible, but they facilitate the space where these relationships can bud and thrive.

It is always vital to remember that “Making is centered on people and collaborations as much as equipment and spaces” and without any provocation “makers are great at sharing and engage in a sort of swap meet approach.” (Mathuews and Harper, academic library) Despite all the glitz and glamour, the core of a library and a makerspace is their community. The community’s interest is the engine that drives the makerspace mission. Its their involvement that make a space a makerspace. Without the makers present, there is no sharing of information, no practical learning, and no use. Without the makers, the space is just a dead depository of tools, Ranganathan’s worst nightmare brought to the twenty-first century.

Practical Education For All

More often than not, library and makerspace membership, at least within the United States, tends to remain free of charge, and open to all. Maintaining free, open access to technology strongly supports most of the underpinning philosophies of libraries, and bolsters the library’s position as an agent of social change. This is most effect when making sure that the makerspace is not only used by anyone, but by everyone.

This can be pursued through active and passive use of the makerspace. Actively, a makerspace can host educational and outreach events like lecturers, professionals, and community leaders within or with the collaboration of the makerspace. Educational events like these inform the community of the library’s resource capacity, and flatly educate community members. Through hosting events and groups, the library expands the opportunity for learning, and may even welcome community member who would otherwise be intimidated by the technology. Passively, an open membership makerspace can be a welcoming, safe space free of the discrimination. An open door can often serve as an open invitation to anyone interested regardless of ability, race, or creed.

Makerspaces allow people from all backgrounds to use tools and technology that they may otherwise be unable to use. 3D printers, laser engravers, and digitized sewing machines are all luxury goods that have yet to become affordable for the common person. Opening opportunities for engagement and exposure with this technology opens up worlds of opportunities for marginalized populations.

Diversity of all kinds can be seen in a makerspace; however, it has been noted that “Unfortunately, makerspaces, much like much of the STEM field, are still dominated, largely, by white men.” (Moody and Spivak-Birndorf, 183) That is to say that makerspaces are not yet perfect organisms. As another arm of the library institution, makerspaces reflect the structural and systematic issues of the societies around them. As of this moment, makerspaces harbor a lot of potential to educate and spread information throughout the general public and to provide educational experiences to under-served populations. It is simply unfortunate that as of yet that potential has not been seized.

Works Cited

Caitlin A. Bagley. Makerspaces. ALA Neal-Schuman, 2014

John J. Burke. Makerspaces : A Practical Guide for Librarians. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1650023&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Katy B. Mathuews, and Daniel J. Harper. Academic Library Makerspaces : A Practical Guide to Planning, Collaborating, and Supporting Campus Innovation. Libraries Unlimited, 2020. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2504623&site=eds-live&scope=site.

Kemp, Adam. The Makerspace Workbench. First edition., Maker Media, 2013.

Moody, Meaghan and Spivak-Birndorf Chava. “The Feminist Makerspace: Smashing the Patriarchy with Crafting, Mentorship, and Connection.” Re-making the Library Makerspace: Critical Theories, Reflections, and Practices, edited by Melo, Maggie and Nichols, Jennifer, Library Juice Press, 2020, p. 183-202.

Ranganathan, S. R. (Shiyali Ramamrita). The Five Laws of Library Science. Ed. 2 reprinted., Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science, 1988.

Theresa Willingham, and Jeroen de Boer. Makerspaces in Libraries. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1044192&site=eds-live&scope=site.