LIBRARY AS MAKERSPACE

Things can't get much better than having another organization (Cape Cod Makers) promote your library, highlighting in their own words your values, your activities and your outreach. A goal I am setting for FY 2016: Be a more visible presence in the life of our community. Don't just wait for people to come into the library, bring the library to the people! If you are in the Southeastern Massachusetts area on Saturday, May 30, swing by the gymnasium of the Cape Cod Community College (Exit 6 off the Mid Cape Highway, Route 6, turn north towards Barnstable, the entrance is immediately on your right.). We'll be there from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with many, many other cool organizations and individual inventors and creators! There's a kayak made exclusively of duct tape! http://capecodmakerfaire.com/ Meet the Makers: Duxbury Free Library "One of the great things about a Maker Faire is the opportunity for people of all ages to learn new things. The  Duxbury ...

I was inspired when I saw this month's School Library Journal article about "hacking your notebook" with conductive tape, LEDs and 3V batteries. Last year I used littleBits on my annual summer reading poster that we bring to schools to advertise upcoming programs. This was before I bought "shoes" to adhere the littleBits to the poster without damage so the scotch tape I used (with our building temperature) kept falling down. Also worth noting when I forgot to turn it off I went through quite a few 9V batteries.  This year I went simple using chibi circuits and conductive tape.  My goal was when the superhero book is pressed, the skyscraper windows light up.  I have previously done this with 4th and 5th graders as an e-card program during the holidays so I still had leftovers. Hiding beneath the building are 2 lines of conductive tape, one positive, one negative to match the direction of the positive and negative side of the chibi LED hidden in t...

BEFORE  So I've 3D printed my earrings , now what? I decided to try enamel painting with very small model micro brushes. I bought a Testor starter set at Michael's Craft Store (with a coupon of course) for under $20. I will warn you there are a multitude of flammable and "cancer causing" chemical warnings on the front. Maybe OK for teens and up only? I'm sure spray paint has the same warnings but we still use it in moderation so I'll leave that call up to you. Upon further research, you can also use acrylic based paints on 3D plastic with a primer and sealant. The good thing about the enamel is I didn't do either of those things in an effort to save time. I'm sure primer and sealant have a bunch of warnings on them too. AFTER The strong smell is that of industrial nail polish so have LOTS OF OPEN WINDOWS. I still wouldn't consider this quick drying unless you are really precise with the small amount you put on. I wasn't delicate wi...

Special call out to a super tech librarian over at the Ames Free Library in Easton. Jed Phillips was published for his work on using Raspberry Pi's as OPACs (our library catalog computers). Libraries usually take some of their older computers and recycle them into "library searching" only computers. Libraries have a tough time allocating computers to this quick and necessary need to help patrons locate books or other resources without having to wait in line for a reference computer. These computers require updates and sometimes too much lock down. If a library is buying new computers for them to be OPACs only, the raspberry pi, a much cheaper alternative, is under a $100. Read more on Public Libraries Online .  He even included instructions on how to set up your own. Talk about a time saver! I will be working with Raspberry Pi's as a take home circulate-able makerspace kit for our library. Coming Soon!

Today I'm experimenting with making jewelry accessories on the Cube 2 3D printer with tinkercad software.  If you know nothing about the tinkercad software, this brief video will get you through the basics. You can also see an earlier post on our blog. One thing to note is there's already a bunch of creations from other makers on the site. If you are having trouble designing something from scratch or want to add onto a design, it's an easy search away.  Find the magnify glass on the top right of the screen. That is what makes the maker community great. They are willing to share! For summer, I'll be making superhero emblems with the 3D printer with grades 5 & 6. This allows for both boys and girls to get in on the action. They can make them pendants, earrings, or just plain magnets. I have to admit I'm having a tough time with everything in MM. I've been Googling it to convert into inches! Here are the goals of the program: 1. Set up a tinker...

As we are gearing up for our hands on DIY booth at the Cape Cod Mini Maker Faire on May 31st, the White House has decided that June 12-18 is the week of making to coincide with the DC Maker Faire. You can sign up on their website to let them know what events you have in mind that week at your own library. We just so happen to be doing Lego WeDo Robotics for 4th and 5th grade and an Intro to 3D Printing with Tinkercad that week. It's nice to be on the same page! I love seeing that the government is taking a special interest in the maker movement.