Basics

Before we begin, what is a makerspace or a hackerspace?

A hackerspace is a physical location where like-minded people get together in a cooperative environment to pool their knowledge, experience, and physical resources with a goal to bringing into reality the projects about which they’ve been dreaming. The sky is the limit, almost literally: projects range from building hardware to building art, from restoring antique equipment to putting electronic blinking eyes in a crocheted doll. Put simply, members get together at the space to make stuff, to work on personal projects or bigger collaborative ones. (quote from KwartzLab)

Where did they come from?

• Respect the Past, Examine the Present, Build the Future by Nick Farr
• Hackerspaces – The Beginning (the book)
• The Hacker Ethic
• For a direct historical connection between makers and libraries, check out Mechanics Institutes, the hackerspaces of the Victorian era!

Where can I find out more?

Check out the Hackerspace wiki. You can find ideas on how to create a space, a list of hackerspaces (so you can find hackers and makers to work with near your library!), educational materials, and thoughts on what it means to be a hacker or maker.