Palmetto Library opens new makerspace room

Palmetto Library opens new makerspace room for creative and learning programs

Published on: October 10, 2019

By CARL MARIO NUDI

The Palmetto Branch Library is expanding its mission with its new makerspace.

When libraries were first established to archive clay tablets around 2500 BCE, they were private institutions for scholars and the rich elite. Then during the Age of Enlightenment, governments and civil societies, such as Ben Franklin’s Junto Club, created public lending libraries. But even those were only places to warehouse books in floor to ceiling shelves.

In the middle of the 20th century, libraries rethought their mission and began creating spaces for the community to gather and share knowledge beyond what could be found in books.

Today you not only can borrow a book, but you can check out movie DVDs or CDs of music, lectures and popular novels, and even non-traditional items, such as garden tools.

“Today’s libraries are changing to become less like book warehouses and more like community spaces,” said Megan Robinson, who started with the Manatee County Public Library System as a library assistant in 2012 and has been the branch supervisor at the Palmetto Library since 2018. The Palmetto Library has embraced that philosophy and will launch a new makerspace room at 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Palmetto Library, 923 Sixth St. W., Palmetto.

According to a library brochure, “a makerspace is a place for the community to come and create, build, learn and teach.” To help visitors to the makerspace create and build, the library will supply unique tools and materials.

Some of the items in the makerspace for artists and crafters are a Cricut Cutter, popular with scrapbookers; a sewing machine; MakeDo Construction kits; and a Sentro Knitting Machine,

For technology geeks there are a Hewitt-Packard color printer and scanner, a Sphero.edu Sprk+ robot, Bloxels game apps, Smart Circuits and Snap Circuits.

And for those interested in the audio-visual field, there are a VHS to DVD converter, a Podcast Studio, HUE Animation Studio, a Canon camera, lighting gear and a green screen.

The launch party on Oct. 17 will showcase all of these gadgets and more with a hands-on activities. “We’re going to have a lot of the tools and materials out for people to experiment with,” said Robinson. “And they also can make a vinyl sticker (on the Cricut Cutter).” Those attending the party also will have a chance to vote on naming the new makerspace.

Library visitors are encouraged to submit their ideas for a name. “We welcome name suggestions,” Robinson said, “But it will not be Area 53.”

The makerspace at the Manatee County Central Library, established five years ago in downtown Bradenton, is called Area 52, and the Palmetto Library room was modeled after it. The plan always has been for all the branches to offer some of the programs found at Area 52 in the main library.

Palmetto Library will be the first branch library to open its makerspace program. “We’ve been thinking about it for years and started collecting all the materials over a couple years,” Robinson said.

Daniel Aken, the makerspace librarian at the Central Library Area 52, said having the programs at all the branch libraries will be a team effort. “Librarians for all the branches will meet Oct 11 to discuss what resources everyone has and how to share,” Aken said. “We want to make sure they can conduct their programs successfully.”

Robinson said she was excited about the possibilities for community involvement with the makerspace. “Makerspaces fit into the evolution of libraries by not only providing equal access to materials and information, but also letting people make and learn collaboratively,” she said.

“It’s a place for people to share,” said the Naples native, who received a master’s degree from Florida State University in Library Science after earning a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from New College in Sarasota. “People with audio visual, coding, photography or arts and crafts skills are welcome to come share their knowledge, so they can buy into the program idea.”

Remodeling started the beginning of August, and the Manatee County Property Management Department designed and constructed the project. A donation given to the Palmetto Library was used to pay for some of the construction costs of about $10,000. The tools and material costs ran around $5,000.

“We put in a large window which faces into the lobby,” Robinson said and explained that as soon as people enter into the library, they will be able to look in and see others working on projects. Also, a bank of cabinets and worktop space along one wall was installed. Each cabinet is labeled with the tool or material it holds.

“During construction we would explain what the makerspace, was and people got excited,” Robinson said. “I think it will be well used because there’s nothing like this in Palmetto. “There are things for all ages in the makerspace room,” she said. “We want everyone to use the space.”

One of the technology tools, the Spero.edu Sprk+ robot, may prove to be a popular item for those who want to learn coding and robotics. The small clear plastic ball with the visible electronics within it hooks up via Bluetooth to a computer or iPad and is controlled with an app, or coding also can be written to control the robot.

Robinson also thought the color scanner and printer and the VHS to DVD converter will be used a lot. The audio-visual equipment, including a video camera, green screen and editing program on the makerspace computer will provide the professional tools needed for those interested in producing their own videos. And the podcasting tool can help those who are camera shy but still want to voice their opinion or tell stories.

Not so modern, but nonetheless practical, is the sewing machine in the makerspace room. “I think it’s important to learn life skills,” Robinson said. “They don’t teach home economics in school anymore, and as adults we don’t pass on these skills to our children. And learning to use the sewing machine could be a jumping off point to starting a business or a career in fashion,” she said.

Robinson said she thinks one tool in the makerspace room probably will get the heaviest workout. “I think the Cricut will be very popular,” she said. “It’s used a lot for scrapbooking.” Rachel Suntop, who is on the library staff and very familiar with the Cricut, will be holding a holiday card-making class on Nov. 12 in the new makerspace.

After the launch party the makerspace will be open once a month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., generally on the last Saturday of the month. The first open session is set for Oct. 26. “We’re going to start slow with programs and build up from there,” “Robinson said.

A library staff member will always be in the makerspace to assist when it is open, and children 12 and under will need to be accompanied by an adult 18 and older. Fifteen people at a time can use the room.

“We also will be having at least one program in the room a month as well.” she said. “Patrons can refer to the makerspace brochures we have or the calendar of events for future dates. In the beginning no appointment will be needed,” she added, “but I hope it will be so popular that they’ll be needed.”

For more information about the makerspace room at the Palmetto Library, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Palmetto-Public-Library/250309838316891 or call 941-722-3333.