Buda Public Library Expands Pop Up Makerspace

“Every visit has been met with enthusiasm, the next visit is always highly-anticipated, and students often ask for the tools even when the Makerspace is not on our campus,” said Ana Garcia, Dahlstrom Middle School Librarian.

The Buda Public Library’s Pop Up Makerspace will get some additional bells and whistles.

Buda Public Library was awarded a $29,558 grant through the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and Texas State Library Commission to expand materials and hire a part-time Makerspace Clerk. Library staff submitted the grant proposal earlier this year in partnership with the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

The Pop Up Makerspace was launched in late 2016 after the Buda Public Library was granted $14,255 through funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Buda Public Library began hosting makerspace programs at the library and rotating the Pop Up Makerspace to local Buda secondary schools in November 2016. The makerspace allows students to invent and create by utilizing a variety of tools and materials. It originally started circulating with 3D pens, a button maker, littleBits, Arduino based robots, and various circuit materials.

“We are incredibly excited to see this program expand. The first year of this project demonstrated how eager the youth in our community were to use maker items such as 3D pens and button makers, code robots, and to work with circuits,” said Caitlin Foley, Buda Public Library Youth Coordinator. “By providing these materials and programs to both our library patrons and students in the Hays CISD district, we will be able to expose children of all ages to the joy of making.”

From November 2016 — August 2017 the Makerspace served 2,008 users. With the expanded program, librarians at all Hays CISD schools will be allowed to check out makerspace items. Items include a variety of robotic learning devices, 3D pens, button makers, littleBits, Makey Makey and general craft items.

“Every visit has been met with enthusiasm, the next visit is always highly-anticipated, and students often ask for the tools even when the Makerspace is not on our campus,” said Ana Garcia, Dahlstrom Middle School Librarian. “The tools and resources provided through this grant have definitely been beneficial to our school.”

Buda Public Library anticipates opening up the makerspace to all schools by November 2017. The library will also host maker programs at the library.

The Pop Up Makerspace will be incorporated into the library’s regular programs including Middle School Mondays (meets Mondays at 4:30 pm for students in grades 6-8) and Buda Kids (meets Thursdays at 4:00 for students in grades 3-5).

To see a complete list of makerspace activities, check out our maker website: http://budalibrary.org/256/Pop-Up-Makerspace

This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the Provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.