2018 August Experiential Learning RoundUp!

Programming:
Most experiential maker programming took a break in August to focus on staff training on the new VA equipment. (see staff development).

SLA reported that the Make a Better World attendees wanted to continue to meet through August. They met informally throughout August and continued to work on plastic mats. We are planning on continuing MaBW into the fall and hope to keep the enthusiasm and momentum currently held by this group.

SLA continues to lead the weekly Craft Connections adult crafting program.

Youth SLAs continued weekly story time programs and summer reading programming, finishing with BubbleFest the weekend of August 11. All story time and children’s programming are on break until Sept 4. Youth Services staff are working on their fall/winter programs and supply inventory after another successful summer reading program.

Community Connections:
I met with 5 librarians from Multnomah County Library District: They are all relatively new in position at MultCo and are working on expanding the makerspace offerings to a wider age range. We visited the Teen Room as well as the many places we hold maker programming throughout VA. We discussed wider collaboration and idea sharing moving forward with a quarterly maker meetup for librarians in our area.  I explained our challenges and how we successfully integrate all-ages programming into our various spaces.  We also discussed staff training and utilization of staff based on skills and interest.  MultCo was very interested in learning how we decide which programs we offer. I told them the most valuable feedback comes from direct interaction with our patrons during other maker programs and listening to their questions and ideas.  MultCo asked about my training and I told them I am largely self-trained. I ask patrons what they want to learn, and then I learn enough to help patrons get started. MultCo was impressed with my attitude and have co-opted my motto as their own for 2019: “What do you want to learn? We can learn all this crap.”

District Collaboration:
I attended orientation for OMSI PDX Mini-Maker Faire in September. I have coordinated district-wide staff to represent our libraries during the event. 11 staff members will all assist during the 2-day event with a hands-on interactive booth and will also have the opportunity to attend the Faire and meet other makers in the area.

We invited IT and Program Services to attend our staff trainings on 3D printing. Aaron from IT and Janet from Marketing joined us. Aaron indicated he enjoyed learning more about how we train and work with the public on 3D printing projects.

I went out to WA to assist with 3D printer setup and demonstration. SLA and I created a short how-to video on unboxing the 3D printer that anyone in the district can view, should they need help getting the equipment set up.



Professional Development:
I attended a virtual tour of the Boise State University makerspace within Albertsons’ Library. It was a treat to see this makerspace currently moving into a new 4,000 square foot space as I originally met with their Emerging Technologies and Experiential Learning Librarian, Amy Vecchione, in 2014 when they first started down this path with a reprap 3D printer on an A/V cart.

Both of my proposals will be included in the ALA publication 50 Coding Libraries for Libraries. My proposals focus on projects developed for VA’s Learn2Code program.