#MakerLibraries

[corkcitylibraries]

Libraries - the Ultimate Makerspaces!

by Ann Riordan

We hear a lot these days about Makerspaces. What a wonderful concept - providing a space and resources where people can come together, make things, share ideas and work on projects together. However the ordinary person may think that makerspaces are the refuge of technology and tech enthusiasts. But what about all the creative groups that meet and use our libraries, what about the arts and craft workshops we have hosted down through the years?

We already saw the broadening of the term STEM - to STEAM -  the A standing for Arts. This approach has been so successful, no-one disputes the role of Arts in conjunction with Science and Technology. But what if you are not a child? And what if you are a little bit afraid or intimidated by technology? Public libraries have long offered spaces for groups to meet and share ideas. But we have also moved with the times. Looking at Cork City Libraries most recent events guide highlights the vast range of makerspace activities, be they high-tech, low-tech or no tech at all! I'm sure you will agree there is something for everyone, and best of all, all our events are free!  

What can we help you make today?

Check out our Libraries for:

3D printers and workshops in Reference Library and Bishopstown Library

Coder Dojo in Tory Top Library

Adult coding classes in Reference Library, Blackpool and Tory Top Library

Lego Clubs in all our libraries

Graphic novel workshops for young adults

Portable graphics lab projects for young adults

Comic zine project for children in Ballincollig Library and Tory Top Library

Film making projects for young adults

Videogame club in Mayfield Library

Raspberry Pi workshop in Bishopstown Library

e-services demonstrations in Reference Library, and Hollyhill Library

Make sensory books, a Growing Imaginations project for adults with intellectual disabilities

Knitting groups in Ballincollig Library, Glanmire Library, and Hollyhill Library

Crochet group in Blackpool Library, Glanmire Library, Hollyhill Library

Cork Textile Network events and exhibitions in Bishopstown Library

Arts and crafts workshops for families all year round - including Adult Art Group in Blackpool Library, a drawing club in Mayfield Library

Creative writing workshops, including Summer School of Creative Writing

Make music - guitar lessons, ukulele groups, and Gamelan workshops, in Hollyhill Library and the Rory Gallagher Music Library.

In addition, you can:

Book a room for your Makerspace group

Hold an exhibition of your Maker products or activities

Borrow media creation equipment (Zoom recorders, GoPro cameras).

Use your library membership to take a free online course in Art, Crafts & Hobbies or web development or technology. 

Use your library membership to borrow emagazines on makertech activities 

For information on upcoming events pick up an Events Guide, or visit our website at www.corkcitylibraries.ie. For contact details for your local library, visit  http://www.corkcitylibraries.ie/en/contacts-and-hours/

[connectza]

A 24 HOUR MAKERTHON WITH THE MAKERSPACE

Durban based Maker Librarian, Stephen Gray, takes us through a recap of the Makerspace’s 24hr Makerthon, which took place in May this year.

The MakerSpace project is all about unlocking the latent creativity in every person and Makerthon weekend was a practical expression of this. Over 40 people engaged in the making process from projects as simple as lino printing to complicated projects like building a CNC machine. Our engagement extended past our local community and included a research student from Canada (researching MakerSpaces’ and 3D printers’ effect on the economy) as well as a Lecturer from Pretoria, join in on the making madness.

We got to work straight away at 12 midday on Friday with the String Art wall mural. Many people got involved in this process of hammering 100s of nails into the wall and then strung hundreds of metres of string to literally express “creativity” on a wall. Here is a video from that experience. The making progressed through the day into the evening with acid bathing copper plates to create designs and building and firing trebuchet catapults. Many people collaborated in the building of a CNC machine that will be put to use and opened up to The MakerSpace community. Nothing like some gourmet burgers, craft beers and camaraderie to get a job done.

By the end of the 24 hours we felt a great sense of accomplishment but had some very weary makers. We are very happy with the number of people who attended and got involved in the projects. Having actively engaged 40 people and completing 24 projects, it was time to go home and get some well-deserved rest.

Here is a list of the 24 projects completed:

1. String Art 2. Trebuchet build 3. 3D printed heads 4. 3D printed cookie cutters 5. Lino cutting and printing 6. Cardboard pendant light making 7. Wooden Tree light 8. Cheap DIY Digital Synthesizer circuit building 9. CNC machine build 10. Birch plywood Lectern/Podium build 11. Honeycomb display shelving 12. Laser etched cutting boards 13. Laser etched hammer 14. Copper Will remain - Acid etching

15. Console for Raspberry Pi Arcade machine 16. Wall Art 17. Crafting the best cappuccino in Durban 18. Longboard cruiser skateboard deck 19. Animal modge podge wall decals 20. Tool Wall build 21. Quad copter FPV kit assembly 22. Custom Quad Copter flotation Landing gear 23. Galvanized Pipe Lighting 24. Can Bot (Robot in a can)

For more information on how you can get involved in our upcoming events and workshops, click here.

- Stephen Gray (Makerspace)

[fixperts-org]

Brave New World: Fixperts at Lodz Design Festival

In October 2014 FIxperts was invited to participate in the Lodz Design Festival.  Under the festival's theme 'Brave New World' Fixperts and the Maker Library Network joined forces to pilot the Fixhub, a combined makespace, library and gallery.  Fixperts also organised the 'Brave Fixed World Seminar Day', a programme of talks and discussions that explored the culture of fixing now and in the future.  Speakers included Fi Scott of MakeWorks, Dries Verbruggen of Unfold, Nat Hunter of the RSA’s The Great Recovery and several other proponents of the cultural, economic and even political potential of fixing.  As this was the first time that we’d brought an assemblage of voices to talk about fixing, we are making some of these talks available through the fixperts blog.

[jennieworkshops]

Soft circuit glove puppet workshop as part of Make:Shift:Do Nov 2014.