For any student, libraries are essential. Whether it be for a quiet study space, a deep research dive, or a new procrastination activity, we’re always trying to find new ways to help out our patrons.
We recently started a collaboration with the Alachua County Headquarters Library Makerspace, and it all started with a tour. Greta Pallak, one of the ACHL Makerspace coordinators, explained all the amazing resources they hold that allow patrons to create almost any craft they can think of.
Greta even shared a simple sewing craft that allowed patrons to easily create a little felt buddy. We decided to take inspiration from Greta and offer this craft to our patrons as our January Make and Take: “Felt Friends”. It ended up being our most popular Make and Take of the year! Over 70 people participated, averaging 1 person every hour we were open!
A few months later, the whole ACHL team, including Joe Baca, a former Marston employee, came to do a tour of our space while we brainstormed ways we could work together in the future. We spoke about our successful Make and Takes, potential pop-up outreach events, repair cafes, contests/competitions, and ultimately a city-wide Maker Faire!
On April 12, we started our first outreach event and held a booth at the Oddities Market located on downtown Gainesville. There, we showed off our craft cutter as an example of the amazing resources available in our space, as well as providing participants with hands-on maker experience.
At the event, we spoke to 150 people about the resources our makerspaces have to offer, enabling us to reach new audiences and underscore the value of library makerspaces. They also got to create beautiful paper oddities that can be used as home decorations!
Due to the success of Marston’s Make and Take activities, we decided that the leftovers of the outreach event would go back to the ACHL Makerspace to be used as their own Make and Take activity!
We thank all participants of our last event for coming, your participation not only allowed us to educate others but also allowed us to help others create fun and new decorations!