Chapter 15-Library Hackerspace Programs by Chad Clark

I just returned from the Texas Library Association Convention in Dallas. I’m pumped and ready to get moving to choose some new furniture for our library, add new materials and work on the Makerspaces. So, I thought I’d return to reading #the makerspace_librarian’s sourcebook. Interesting that the next chapter is about Hackerspace programs. I’ve always associated hacking with doing something bad. Ah…not so! Chad Clark says on page 288 that a hacker is, “a person who rearranges and repurposes the objects and systems around her to satisfy her curiosity and create new meaning.” Okay! So, with that definition in mind I began the chapter.

I love that the chapter divided Hackerspace programs up into units, hacking with code, hacking old hardware, physical computing, and then gave examples of each and how some libraries are implementing Hackerspace programs into the library. My first thought was that this is for older children, not elementary students. But, as I read on I saw how this could work for our library, and I don’t have to be the expert. There are ways to provide materials, guidance and support to let students make discoveries for themselves. I was especially excited about the section where taking things apart is discussed. This is how my friend Gwen taught me to add my own mother boards, memory and programs 25 years ago. I learn by doing and this type of program speaks to that.

This takes me back to arranging my library for Makerspaces. I have Wonder robots, Dot and Dash, that help students learn/use coding. My problem has been how to keep things from “walking away” and getting broken. How cool would it be to have a space where students are encouraged to take things apart and put them back together in new and unique ways!? I’ve already decided that items like the robots and littleBits have to be checkout to hold students accountable for their use and return. But, it would be fun to have items to take apart and use that could be left out and used. That was my original thought and maybe I can still do some of that. Maybe if I provide bins for materials that “expendable”, that students can use as they need to, and students could even bring items to add to the materials, I could use some of the space that I cleared out in the library originally for Makerspaces.

Okay, I got off on a tangent, but how the spaces are displayed and how students access them has been a problem for me this year. So, back to Hackerspaces…I’d love to include so ways for students to create and change things to repurpose items! I’m going to work on that! The author speaks about Hackerspaces including the same values as libraries and that they include peer-to-peer learning and cooperation by participants. That sounds like something worth adding to our library. So, we’ll call it a Fixit Clinic as the author calls one of the programs of implementing Hackerspaces.

I’m curious about how other elementary schools have implemented Hackerspaces in their libraries. Much of what was written in this chapter dealt with public libraries, even mobile library Hackerspaces! So, if anyone has done this, please share!

Chapter 10: LEGOs in the Library by Megan Lotts

I was ready for this chapter! I’d love to plan a LEGO wall or table in our library. As I read through this chapter I was glad Ms. Lotts addressed the problem of things disappearing or walking away. I’ve already had this problem the first time I introduced littleBits during my 3rd,4th and 5th grade classes. The two motormates have not been located again since the 2nd day. The parts aren’t expensive but the shipping is!(the same price as the parts!) Anyway, I am grateful for this chapter. I may have to rethink where I would put this, and frankly, where the makerspaces are located.

I have a “u” shaped library as I’ve mentioned before. The circulation desk and my office are the middle. I cannot see the two ends of the U when I’m in the center. My plan was to locate the spaces in one of the tips of the U, and I’ve even considered checking into a plexiglass or some other type of see through walls. That’s still a consideration but I’ll have to check into the costs. If the spaces were more in the central area I’ll have to rethink where reading areas are located. I’m thinking now might be the right time for a survey!

Back to the chapter. Loved the short history of LEGOS; I truly had no idea they’d been around so long! The LEGO group was founded in Denmark in the 1930’s and the “Automatic Binding Brick with four and eight studs” (Lotts cited Tine Frogerg Mortensen’s “LEGO History Timeline” for this information) was created in 1949. I’m wondering why I didn’t play with them as a child. Maybe I did? I remember Lincoln Logs, but I’m guessing the red and black “bricks” we played with at my Grandparent’s house might actually have been LEGO’s?

Cleaning the LEGOS, I hadn’t thought about this at length as our students have only used them a few times. But, the flu is going around and this does need to be a consideration. I’ll have to work out a schedule and see that this happens!

I do love all the possibilities for free play, organized problem solving, community building, and creating excitement in the library. Again, my concerns seem to revolve around making too much noise for classrooms in my open library, containing the LEGOs, when they come out, and where they are housed and used. I’m sure this is a major concern for most libraries. As an interior designer my thoughts drift off to drawings, bubble designs, circulation patterns…A space plan for our library! Perhaps that needs to be my next endeavor, get the library drawn. If it’s all measured out and drawn perhaps I can work more on that when I’m not in full rotation as I am now. 7 classes a day doesn’t leave any time for drawing and dreaming! Maybe I could get my student’s ideas!
LEGOS