3-16-23
Many school libraries still look like they did fifty years ago. But our libraries are no longer quiet dusty book repositories. Librarians are leading the way in technology use and modern pedagogy in our schools – now we need to update our spaces to match. In this workshop, you will get ideas and inspiration for transforming the physical space of your libraries to make them innovative, student-friendly learning environments. We’ll talk about how to apply learning space design theory to renovate your library. You’ll learn how to survey your students, create a focus group, and use design thinking to brainstorm ideas for your space. We’ll spend time brainstorming our spaces and making plans for the future. Participants will be able to explain why changes to the physical space are needed and will learn strategies that they can apply immediately, no matter what their budget. This workshop will leave you feeling empowered to make the changes that are needed in our library spaces.
Slides
Resources
Reimagining Library Spaces: Transform Your Space on Any Budget
In my book, Reimagining Library Spaces, I breakdown a practical process for rethinking and redesigning a library space, no matter where your budget is at. Each chapter includes action steps and connections to the ISTE standards. The book also includes examples of four different reimagined library spaces.
Links
- My Learning Space Design Resources page – recommended articles, books and more
- My Library and Learning Space Design Pinterest board
Blog Posts
- The Stewart Library Makerspace: Video about how our makerspace has transformed our school
- 6 Ways to Rethink Your Library Space and Make it Amazing
- 3 Ways Whiteboards Can Make Your Space More Awesome
- How to Get Library Design Inspiration: 6 Places to Visit
- 6 Active Learning Spaces Your Library Should Have (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- How to Identify and Reframe Design Problems in Your Space (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- How to Transform Your Library Space on a Budget (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- 10 Tips for Writing Grant Proposals
- 5 Tips for Creating DonorsChoose Projects
- The Great Library Makeover Part 1
- The Great Library Makeover Part 2
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Space for Innovation (AASL Knowledge Quest)
- COVID Library Update Part 1: Adapting the Space and Collection
- How to Dream Big with a Library Space Analysis
- Genrefication: How to Organize Your Fiction Section by Genre
- Too Much Information: 3 Frustrating Problems with Signage
- How to Create Collaborative Spaces in Your Library
- 3 Ways Visiting Vendor Showrooms can Inspire Your Space
More resources
- Colleen Graves’ post on Makerspace Storage
- Tiffany Whitehead’s blog, Mighty Little Librarian (look for links in the sidebar for resources on Ditching Dewey and genrefication)
- Kelsey Bogan’s posts on Dynamic Shelving
- Video about the Stewart Storage Cart and our collaboration with CEF
- School Library Journal article I wrote about our furniture design challenge
Tutorials
- The Epic LEGO Wall: How to Build One – tutorial for building a LEGO wall
- LEGO Wall Round-up – Examples of a variety of LEGO walls created by other educators
- How to Create a Floorplan of Your Space in Excel
- How to Create an Awesome Whiteboard Wall – tutorial on how to use dry-erase paint to create a whiteboard wall
Recommended Books
- Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration
- The Third Teacher
- The Language of School Design: Design Patterns for 21st Century Schools
- Library Spaces for 21st-Century Learners: A Planning Guide for Creating New School Library Concepts – great resource for creating surveys and focus groups
- The L!brary Book: Design Collaborations in the Public Schools
- Get Active: Reimagining Learning Spaces for Student Success
- The Space: A Guide for Educators
Vendors mentioned:
Makerspaces: Getting Started, Leveling Up and Cultivating Creativity
3-17-23
Makerspaces have the power to transform your space into a hub of creativity and innovation. Maybe you’ve already gotten started, but you aren’t sure how to take your students to the next level in their making. Or maybe you feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. Either way, this workshop is here for you. Come learn practical strategies for bringing dynamic hands-on learning to your school. I’ll share my experiences from starting a makerspace from scratch in 2014 in a public Title 1 middle school library, as well as how I’m building my maker program at a 6-12 independent school. We’ll get hands-on with projects and learn how to dive deep with design challenges, including advice on how to create design prompts, facilitate a challenge and share out student learning. We’ll spend time brainstorming together about ways to build up and improve our spaces. You’ll get practical advice and tips on how to create a makerspace that will engage your students. And you’ll learn ways that you can further develop maker culture, share your students’ learning with others and connect with curriculum. Come to this workshop and let’s make something awesome together.
Resources
Challenge Based Learning in the School Library Makerspace
My book that I co-wrote along with Colleen and Aaron Graves. Much of this presentation is based off of the content of this book, so if you find this presentation valuable, you’ll probably like the book too.
In this book, we go into depth about how to create a maker culture within your school, develop an interactive learning space and more. We discuss the logistics of hosting maker workshops, creating design challenge prompts and documenting the learning process.
Tampa Prep IDEAlab and Makerspace:
- Starting a Makerspace from Scratch: Introducing the IDEAlab and Makerspace
- COVID Library Update: Our Makerspace in the Time of COVID
- How to Manage Your Makerspace During a Pandemic (Demco)
Maker Days themes
- Cardboard Challenge Tips Part 1: The Tools (My electric cardboard cutter reommcendationis in here)
- Cardboard Challenge Tips Part 2: More Tips and Tricks
- How to Teach an Intro to 3D Printing Class
- How to Teach a Paper Circuit Workshop
- How to Run a Tech Take Apart Workshop in Your Makerspace
Best Practices for Makerspaces
- Defining Makerspaces: What the Research Says
- How to Choose Books to Support Your Makerspace
- Open Exploration in a Makerspace: What it is and Why We Need it
- Open Exploration in a Makerspace: Best Practices
- How to Create Makerspace Organization that Actually Works
Design Challenges at Stewart Middle Magnet School:
- A Student Designed Maker Cart (School Library Journal)
- How to Run a Rubber Band Launcher Challenge
- Stewart Cardboard Challenge
- The Stewart-Lamar Catapult Challenge
- The 2015 Cardboard Challenges
- K’nex Club and Digital Learning Day
- K’nex Club: Making Models of Real Places
Curriculum Connections:
- Science + Makerspace: Safety Device Challenge
- Teaching the Design Process in Makerspaces
- Written Conversation Strategies and MakerEd
More related posts:
- How to Create an Awesome Whiteboard Wall
- 3 Ways Whiteboards Make Your Space More Awesome
- How to Build an Epic LEGO Wall
- 3 Reasons Why Perler Beads are Awesome for Makerspaces
- How to Run an Awesome Afterschool Makers Club
- The Value of Guided Projects in Makerspaces
- How to Run a Super Circuit Bracelet Workshop
- The 2016 Stewart Maker Fair
And More Resources
- KC Boyd’s Rotating Rice Grain dispenser for Perler Beads
- Kelsey Bogan’s Makerspace Station: Perler Beads
Videos: