Makerspace

What is a Makerspace? Makerspaces are “collaborative learning environments where people come together to share materials and learn new skills… borne not out of a specific set of materials or spaces, but out of a mindset of community partnership, collaboration, and creation.” [Library as Incubator Project]   Public libraries are perfect homes for makerspaces, because libraries are the original ‘learning environments borne out of a mindset of community partnership, collaboration and creation.’

Early Learning Kits

In our Children's Room, borrow a Gears Kit, a Time Kit, an American Sign Language Kit, a Strega Nona Play Set, or a Dollhouse Kit. 

American Sign Language Kit image  Dollhouse Kit image

 

Makerspace Activities

In our Children's Room Makerspace, children ages 7 & up and parents may:

  • use STEM & Art Kits in the Makerspace
  • find STEM & Art Kits to borrow for 2 weeks
  • use our iPad loaded with educational apps
  • use our Chromebook to browse the Internet.

STEM and Art Kits

STEM & Art Kits to be used in the Makerspace:
Code n' Go Robot Mouse, Snap Circuits Jr. & Snap Circuits Arcade, and a Crayola Light-up Tracing Pad. 

Snap Circuits Kit image      ARCH kit image

 

Take-Home Kits

STEM & Art Kits to take home for 2 weeks: 
Animal X-Ray Kit, Architecture Kit, Bug Explorer Kit, Birdwatching Kit, Calligraphy Kit, Origami Kit, Piping Plover Birdwatching Kit, Snap Circuits Kit, Magnets Kit, Cardboard Construction Kit. 

Bird Watching Kit Image    X-Ray Kit image

 

Games

Children and parents can play games including: Harry Potter Clue, Lego Heroica, Catan Junior, and Labyrinth in our Makerspace, and borrow card games for two weeks. 
Games kit image

 

IPads

Children’s Room iPad apps for ages 7 and up:

         

 

Club Activities

Club Activities for Makers & Artists
On school holidays and half-days we offer a variety of hands-on "Makers Club" activities. Stay tuned to the library’s Events Calendar for details.  Parents or educators wishing to book the Makerspace for a 1-hour small-group "Makers Club" event are asked to schedule a time with the children's room staff. 

Choosing Websites and Apps

For Children and Teens:

iPad Apps and Early Literacy
https://www.slideshare.net/elloyd74/ipad-apps-early-literacy-25-fantastic-free-apps-for-prereaders
 
CommonSense Media
https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks
 
American Library Association - Best Websites
http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards/best/websites
 
American Library Association - Best Apps
http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards/best/apps
 
Horn Book Magazine - What Makes a Good Picture Book App
http://www.hbook.com/2012/02/using-books/what-makes-a-good-picture-book-app/
Recommended Apps & eBooks  (2013)
http://www.hbook.com/2013/12/choosing-books/recommended-books/recommended-apps-e-books/
 
7 Apps for Student Creators
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/7-apps-for-student-creators-monica-burns
 
20 Awesome BYOD and Mobile Apps
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-awesome-byod-mobile-apps-vicki-davis