Thoughts on makerspaces

I have some thoughts on makerspaces and I would like to sketch out one example of a makerspace plan.  This is not rigorous or well thought out, it is just to capture some ideas.

Vision: "Design, fabricate and repair objects, art and community."

• "Design and fabricate": two stages of making something from scratch.  Repair probably requires a planning equivalent to design, perhaps "learning how to make repair," but for the purposes of a vision statement, it is understood not stated.  
• "Objects, art"  - Objects are physical things made to be used.  Fabrication is everything, design is a means to an end.  Art can be physical or intangible.  Design is everything, fabrication is a means to an end.  
• "Community": It is kind of cute to include community in the list of what gets made, but it is not untrue, a makerspace can build community.  Community is also a resource that helps design/fabrication/repair happen.  
• "Craft" is another term to use in a vision statement.  It suggests both design and fabrication in one pleasant sounding word.

Design resources can include 

• workstations with music, CAD, and printing software
• Books and other collection materials with relevant information and knowledge
• Staff and community human resources to guide/train/teach/assist designers
• All of the above to support repair

Fabrication and repair resources can include

• Printers
• Sewing machines
• Tools
• Musical instruments and recording devices
• Materials: fabric, sheet goods, printer inputs, paint, paper, clay

What things would I like to see in a makerspace?

• Workstations: music production and recording, graphic design, and illustration, printer interface, video production
• projector: for training/leading group activities
• musical instruments: guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, hand instruments, DJ stuff, mic, PA
• printers: large format, vinyl, 3D
• sewing machines: regular, serger, canvas
• Cameras: still, video, stop motion
• Art supplies
• Technology to assist in uploading, distributing and sharing results

Activities

• Musical: jam/song nights, recording studio
• Craft: upcycling projects, 

Other

• A library makerspace should be used to make stuff for the library itself: vinyl lettering for stacks and other signage, 3d printed chessboard pieces, etc.  Economical and good PR.
• Identify experts who can assist others.  Anyone from any level of staff who is willing to help on demand or lead scheduled programs.  Community members, with a formal agreement and plan in place.
• Any piece of technology that is acquired should come with a plan for how it will be promoted, used in programming, used by the community or otherwise leveraged.  Nothing acquired that will just sit there.