Maker{Futures} - Maker{Library}

What is a Maker{Library}?

A Maker{Library} provides space and time for hands-on creativity, designing, building, and crafting using physical or digital tools and materials. Makerspaces are rooted in the ethos of the Maker Movement, which values exploration, innovation, and the sharing of knowledge.

How to get started

Maker{Futures} helps libraries launch making initiatives, from pop-up activities and clubs to creating a permanent resource. We offer library educator training, free resources and maker activity inspiration!

Our pop-up mobile makerspace can bring maker activities to your education setting, museum, library or community space.

Booking enquiry form!

Some popular library based maker activities include:

Lego club
Knit & Natter
Code club
Enterprise hub
'Men in Sheds'
Robot club
Story and making time for early years

As well as special interest clubs, libraries can provide inclusive, intergenerational learning opportunities.

Resources and Training

If you are just beginning your makerspace adventure, these resources (developed as part of a research project on Making in the Early Years - MakEY) will give you some ideas and inspiration.

Setting up:

Guidance on setting up a Makerspace in libraries (PDF)

Activities:

In review:

'MakEY in libraries' project Report (PDF)

Related Projects

Traditional Tales, Untraditionally Told project launch

January 2025

We have collaborated with researchers from The University of Sheffield’s School of Education to create a series of maker workshops which give children the chance to use all their languages in libraries or schools.

So far we have worked with over 120 adults and more than 150 children from 18 libraries and schools - running workshops to create and test resources for the website.

Ready, Set, Make! at Libraries Sheffield

August 2023

This summer Maker{Futures} visited 12 libraries in and around Sheffield with our ‘Ready, Set, Make!’ family workshops. Inspired by the sport and play themed Summer Reading Challenge, over 300 of you joined us to tinker, test and make in our pop-up library makerspaces.

Our summer in the libraries with Gadgets & Gizmos

August 2022

We visited 12 libraries in and around Sheffield with our ‘Gadgets and Gizmos’ events.

Page updated

Report abuse