Following the success of our 2022 event, PLV again partnered with the Committee for Melbourne to deliver an online webinar on Library Makerspaces as part of the Digital Innovation Festival (DIF2022). Library Makerspaces provided an opportunity to showcase of both innovative IT use in the public library sector, and examples of creative community engagement, outreach and partnerships delivered by public libraries through makerspaces.
Over 100 public library staff and Committee for Melbourne members tuned in to hear about different creative makerspaces that provide library users with access to intellectual, artistic, and physical materials.
Chaired by PLV CEO Angela Savage, Benjamin Kolaitis from City of Melbourne Libraries, Adam Cooper from Hobsons Bay Libraries, Celia Rice and Sarah Holmes from Moonee Valley Libraries and Ashley Gill from Hyphen Wodonga presented inspiring examples of the spaces they have created and discussed how their community is benefitting from each resource.
We were also joined live by The Hon. Melissa H. MP and a video recording from Minister Jaala Pulford who showed their support for growing Melbourne’s digital economy through initiatives like library makerspaces.
A recording of the webinar can be viewed here.
A growing number of Victoria’s public libraries offer makerspaces as part of their suite of services. Makerspaces provide space, technology, equipment and encouragement to enable library users to create intellectual, artistical and/or physical materials. Equipment may include computers, 3D printers, laser cutters, audio and video capture and editing tools, as well as traditional arts and craft supplies such as sewing machine and overlockers.
Makerspaces give community members access to resources that might not otherwise be accessible or affordable. They also foster social connection, encouraging patrons to learn from each other as well as from library staff.