When designing a Makerspace, often careful consideration is taken in terms of furniture that fits the equipment. This means that accessibility is not always at the forefront of someone’s mind in the Makerspace design. Brady (2014) explains “Makerspaces have the ability not only to inspire learning by play and tinkering but also to offer problem solving experiences for individuals with disabilities who face daily challenges in a world that does not always accommodate their needs.” Additionally, patrons with disabilities having an active role on the design planning stage of a Makerspace can be very helpful because they could have concerns that someone else might not consider. Additionally they might have solutions that another might not have considered that would be easier and less costly then what I might be thinking of. Often those with a disability have found ways to adapt within a limited budget so would be experts that could help ensure an inclusive Makerspace without over straining the budget.
The first challenge is in this area is furniture which might need to be height adjustable and movable to accommodate a patron’s ADA needs. That sort of furniture is often more expensive and a decision needs to be made by a library on the level of experience that want to ensure every patron can receive in that space. It can be a tough decision to buy the very expensive furniture to accommodate a possible couple patrons when that money could go to provide another 3D printer that will be used by many.
Second is figuring out adaptive programming and how to accommodate patrons with disabilities to use the equipment but in a safe way. Some Makerspace equipment such as laser cutters an 3D printers can harm a person if not used properly. Many 3D printers are open so designing them to be in a completely enclosed box can allow patrons of all level to watch and use the equipment with less chances of someone being harmed. Additionally this can help reduce the possible health risks from 3D printers: https://3dprinterchat.com/2017/07/ultrafine-particles-from-3d-printers/ (Links to an external site.)
A third challenge is proper marketing during outreach for a Makerspace. Jensen (2016) brings up a point that I have found to be very true at outreach and in house events is that “we have found buttons to be so popular with our teens, when we don’t do a button themed outreach event… we have for the teens to pick up and wear.” When at Awesome Con in DC this summer, another library had their button maker and random magazine pages to make buttons, which was very popular, however there is nothing on the button to say where it was made or encourage people to come back to that libraries Makerspace. A way to help increase advertising is pre-create the button design with the library name or website on the bottom of the design or a sticker that can be placed on the back of the button. Same with 3D printer items that are being given out to advertise the Makerspace that if possible create code that adds the library info to the created item or a sticker that can go on the back of the item to provide advertising of the Makerspace.
Brady, T., Salas, C., Nuriddin, A., Rodgers, W., & Subramaniam, M. (2014). MakeAbility: Creating Accessible Makerspace Events in a Public Library. Public Library Quarterly, 33(4), 330-347.
Jensen, K. (2016, August 26). Teen MakerSpace Outreach at The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Day 1 – Getting Organized. Retrieved July 17, 2017, from http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2016/09/teen-makerspace-outreach-at-the-public-library-of-mount-vernon-and-knox-county-day-1-getting-organized/.
Amie Pleasant's MLIS Project 