Typing makerspace into the UBC library retrieves 15,696 results. Oh boy! My search for some resources to inform my knowledge was starting off with a massive pile to sort through. I thought I would start by looking at makerspaces in libraries, seeing as that is the place, I would potentially set one up. These are the resources, or stepping stones, I've found to guide me on my journey.
Stepping Stone 1:The Elementary School Library Makerspace: a Start-Up Guide
Right out of the gate, I find a useful book. A start up guide for starting a makerspace in an elementary school classroom. Setting aside that this makerspace guide is designed for American classrooms, it has a pretty good selection of topics. I like that one of the reasons they give for having a librarian start a makerspace is the opportunity to show the "breadth and depth" of the library. The book breaks up into chapters about each curricular connection, funding your space and next steps after you have assessed your space.
Cox, Marge. The Elementary School Library Makerspace: a Start-Up Guide, ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ubc/detail.action?docID=5166388.
Stepping Stone 2: Taking Making into Classrooms
Who knew there was an entire toolkit by the BC Ministry of Education for makerspaces in classrooms? Resource two is this lovely little PDF that goes over the "maker movement", making connections, parts of makerspace learning, setting up challenges, assessing your space and how to set up a makerspace in your current configuration. The best thing about this little pdf? Section 11 gives you a huge list of further resources to investigate! This is a great resource because it connects to an OPENSCHOOL BC course to which you can get certificates for completing.
Taking Making Into Classrooms. 2017, http://www3.sd71.bc.ca/Programs/careerprograms/try-a-trade/Documents/Taking_Making_into_Classrooms.pdf. Accessed 28 Sept 2020.
Stepping Stone 3: Library as a Makerspace
Moving from articles and books, I decided to check out
library makerspace blogs. There are a lot. This blog is mainly a mass
contribution page where multiple teachers, and librarians are putting ideas and
projects out for others to use. The blog,
which run by the Duxbury Free Library, is in the process of moving to a
"content collection" site to a "content creation" site. The
main author also posts about her podcasts that she does about makerspaces which
is a nice new resource to follow up on. I like that this one is constantly
updated.
Lamarre, Jessica. "LIBRARY AS MAKERSPACE". Librarymakerspace.Blogspot.Com, 2020, http://librarymakerspace.blogspot.com/.
Stepping Stone 4: Renovated Learning - Our Makerspace Journey
This is a great resource! This site is started by a teacher librarian who works at a school library in Tampa Florida, she has transformed two libraries into a makerspace and shared her work on her site, blog and through presentations. This website is great because she walks you through the beginning of starting a space, what is needed, how to advocate and defining what the space will be. She provides resources to grow, and rethink as an educator throughout the journey.
"Renovated Learning". Renovated Learning, 2020, http://www.renovatedlearning.com/.
All in all, I would say I have a pretty good little
collection to start my research moving forward on makerspaces. I am excited to
dive in and see what is next!
