Amanda Reeder

The Caroline County Public Library seeks to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives, increase knowledge, and build community. One of the most fundamental ways to achieve this goal is to develop a program where patrons and experts can come together to learn new skills and educate others. A community workshop within the library, commonly known as a makerspace, promotes engagement and acts as a gathering point for tools, projects, mentors and expertise. The makerspace retains the vision of traditional libraries while aligning with STEM curricula, stimulating learning through play and developing a culture of creating rather than consuming. The local community has a great need for a makerspace. For students, the makerspace provides activities that are fun, rewarding, and educational. Caroline County students, as noted by the Board of Education, succeed in science but still need improvement in mathematics and problem solving. For adults, the makerspace would allow for the borrowing of tools, the development of skills necessary for responsible living, and the reward of teaching others. Due to the economic climate of our county, we have a large population of unemployed workers, who would benefit immensely from learning new technologies as well as traditional trades such as carpentry, sewing, and cooking. Another issue our customers face is the rising cost of living. While many prices on common goods have risen, wages have not. A makerspace would provide a circulating collection of necessary tools and devices that people need to improve their lives and living spaces, without any expenses incurred by the patron. Additionally, the makerspace would provide these services at no charge, whereas community colleges and private for-profit companies typically charge a fee to teach these skills. As with all collaborative projects, a makerspace will not be possible without support from community partners. Caroline County Public Schools has a vocational program through Caroline Career and Technology Center that focuses on disciplines including automotive technology, construction and design, culinary arts, and industrial technology. The teachers and students could serve as mentors, either through volunteering, or as part of their education requirements. Additionally, we could look at local businesses not only for mentors or leaders, but also for physical needs such as tools. Primary occupations in this county are labor-related, including carpentry, construction, and electrical work. We could also partner with many civic organizations and clubs that already work with the library including culinary centers and quilting groups. Lastly, we could look to our patrons for support. We have many retired patrons who possess skills in traditional trades or who have hobbies they would enjoy sharing. One patron in particular weve already spoken with is a gentleman who used common household items to construct a landing area for birds, attached to a motion-sensitive camera which in turn captures an image of winged visitors. Finding stakeholders, who have specific interests and a desire to further those to younger generations, is a key for a successful makerspace. To set up for the makerspace, we would want to consider the physical space we already have. On our second floor, we have two meeting rooms and a kitchen. The smaller meeting room could easily be used for storage of materials until used, while the kitchen and large meeting room would serve as the makerspace. For large projects that are noisy, the large meeting room has noise cancelling walls. For audio-related projects that require a quiet space, the small meeting room would work. There are already sufficient power outlets, an Internet connection, and tables. Grouping the variety of activities together allows for crossover between tool usage, isolating noise and debris, while also connecting people who may have different interests. In addition to the space, we would also need to acquire a variety of tools and materials with a focus on sample projects. Minimal staffing would be required if coordinated properly with the community and volunteers. Logistical preparation would include promotional advertising as well as preventative safety measures.

This program would be best evaluated by the participants, with the focus not being on the number of participants but how well they accomplished their project. Additionally, we would measure the programs success in teaching trades by following up with participants to encourage mentorship or evaluating how their new skill has benefited them in the job market. In order to fully evaluate this program, the initial makerspace would have to be available for a series of dates- in order to note changes, improvement, and accomplishment. If successful, it would be beneficial to have a makerspace as a permanent extension to the librarys traditional services and materials.

info@carolib.org

www.carolib.org

Central Library
100 Market Street Denton, Maryland 21629 p 410.479.1343 f 410.479.1443

Federalsburg Branch
123 Morris Avenue Federalsburg, Maryland 21632 p 410.754.8397 f 410.754.3058

North County Branch

101Cedar Lane P.O. Box 336 Greensboro, Maryland 21639 p 410.482.2173 f 410.482.263

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** CONTACT: Amanda Reeder areeder@carolib.org p. 410-479-1343 ext. 122

Invent, Create, DIY @ Your Library Have you ever seen something for sale and said, I can make that? Do you just want to learn how to use a power tool? How about making your own music? All of this is possible and so much more by coming to the very first maker day at the Caroline County Public Library! The makerspace at the Caroline County Public Library in Denton brings together people of all ages who want to create, innovate, and experiment. Turn ideas into real projects while experts guide you along, all for free! Be a part of the maker revolution with us! Date Time Location and Address

Send to:

2 local newspapers (a month in advance for publication each weekend until event) Web development team (advertise each day for 2 weeks until event) E-newsletter (for the month prior to event) Facebook (week before event, day before event, day of event) Twitter (week before event, day before event, day of event) MAPLA (month in advance for calendar of events to appear month of the event) Local radio station (week before event, advertise each day until event)

Note: the library has discussed brainstorming for this type of event but if the proposal is plausible, could implement it as a real program.

info@carolib.org

www.carolib.org

Central Library
100 Market Street Denton, Maryland 21629 p 410.479.1343 f 410.479.1443

Federalsburg Branch
123 Morris Avenue Federalsburg, Maryland 21632 p 410.754.8397 f 410.754.3058

North County Branch

101Cedar Lane P.O. Box 336 Greensboro, Maryland 21639 p 410.482.2173 f 410.482.263