The Age of Imagination --- The Maker Faire

The Age of Imagination --- The Maker Faire Hi,
Last November I attended the Internet Librarians conference in CA where John Seely Brown talked about the future of libraries.
He said that he thought we were through the information age and have entered the imagination age, and suggested that libraries focus on making, playing and tinkering. He talked about the phenomena of the Maker Faires.
For more information on the Maker Movement --- Ted Talk – Dale Dougherty – We Are Makers : http://www.ted.com/talks/dale_dougherty_we_are_makers.html

One local person who attended a Maker Faire decided he wanted to create a Maker Faire, and the Westport Library has partnered with him and his organization (CLASP Homes), and have applied to the Maker Faire group for a “mini maker license.”
We are now licensed and working on a ONE DAY Maker Faire for April 28th at the Westport Library and outside on the Jesup Green under a big tent.

Lots of kids are getting involved in this in many ways! I know that in school libraries we have moved from consumption to much more emphasis on production and experience so I see the Maker Faire movement as very connected to library media centers.

I’m sending this to the listserv for three purposes (at least):
1.) to add awareness of this cultural movement toward making, playing and tinkering (in libraries) ---- watch this video to find out about the first FABSPACE set up in the NY Fayatteville Public Library http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCXlJ36x-q0
2.) to ask if anyone else is noticing an evolution of public libraries to more of a learning institution and school libraries toward a more public or group owned space in a school (learning commons)
3.) to let you know about the Westport Mini Maker Faire, and to become a Maker – go to: http://westportmakerfaire.org

Would love to get some feedback if this resonates in some way with you!
Thanks,
Bill

billderry@optonline.net
Retired LMS

Bill Derry, Assistant Director, Innovation and User Experience
Westport Public Library
20 Jesup Road
Westport, CT 06880
bderry@westportlibrary.org
203.291.4846