Libraries as Social Hubs

I am really intrigued by the idea of Maker Spaces or Learning Commons being created or transforming public and school libraries right now. It seems to be the new big thing.

Libraries offer areas where kids can come in and talk, work on computers, create movies, converse with authors via skype or a place where items are made available along with instruction to let kids create. Create things with lego's, create with paper, use both computer technology and something they have created together for a larger project or presentation. Yet still allowing space for libraries to be what they have always been, a place for knowledge and ideas to come together.

There is a great article written about the International School at Dundee’s library in the Advocate  (International School at Dundee’s library ) detailing what they have done to transform their library and how the transformation is actually increasing the readership of its patrons. Kids are coming in to work on projects and create. Groups are coming together as a space that is exciting and full of new ideas. But the kids are staying as well. They are coming in for the fun of the Maker Spaces and they are staying and browsing for books, actually reading as well.

I think this is the direction so many libraries are missing. Many libraries today stick to the notion of a quiet space filled with books to help with research. In todays day and age looking up information in a book is time consuming, being in a quiet sterile environment compared to say, a coffee house is boring. Kids want to be allowed to talk, to do things, to chat with their friends and create silly videos. Why not create a space where kids want to come? A fun space filled with technology and things they may not have? A place that is safe for kids to come hang out?

I'm excited to see Maker Spaces become popular. I think that way of thinking, the doing and creating is good for kids. I think having the library as a central part of the community again is a good thing too!

Here is a great link to an info graphic on how Maker Spaces are actually helping our economy as well! Maker Space Info-graphic

There is so much information on creating Maker Spaces and how to utilize and advertise them, I hope in the near future schools and public libraries will all have such inviting spaces for kids!