A Library Fostering Creativity HHS Unveils New Makerspace | by Fred Haas @akh003
The maker movement has taken the country by storm. So much so that librarian Kirsten Fournier determined now was the time introduce the doit-yourself ethos to Hopkinton High School as part of a broader attempt to make the library more of a learning commons.
Taking a page from the number of public libraries establishing makerspaces, Fournier saw an opportunity. “I feel like it is not as common in school libraries, but I feel that it should be because it really supports that STEAM curriculum,” Fournier said.
Since arriving two years ago, Fournier has been making changes that expand the library’s reach toward the notion of the learning commons. The makerspace is just one more step in that direction.
“I think it gives people a different perception of the library. Having this space helps people realize that the library can be a center for pretty much everything. It doesn’t have to just be about checking out a book or getting information,” Fournier said.
With library already being such a high traffic area in the high school, the new makerspace has quickly captured student attention. She explained, “Now, people just come in and see people back here and working stuff and they immediately become curious. The student response has been great. They’ve really started to get into it. People are very excited about the 3D printer.”
People are very excited about the 3D Printer.
Connor Murphy Making an iPhone amplifier.
The space is funded by a seed grant from the Hopkinton Education Foundation and actively seeks donations of raw materials from the community. As student interest has grown quickly sustaining the volume and quality of consumable materials will be challenging.
Still, as Fournier sees it the makerspace already serves an important purpose in the high school environment. “I would love to see us foster a community of creativity and innovation. I think this gives kids the tools to just tinker and make their own discoveries with more tactile materials. This space is a place to destress to work with their hands, and let off some steam, while still being productive.”
Two students already making use of the space are Lauren Ness and Mishti Bose. Both are repeat visitors to the new makerspace. Ness explained, “I finish my work at home, so I can come here to makerspace during my studies to work.”
“It’s fun to cut up all this cloth and see something created out of it,” Bose said.
The process of creating a library display to showcase the work being done in this collaborative, doityourself space is already in process. However, Fournier explained, “I take a lot of pictures. I do a lot of tweeting. I do a lot of posting on the library blog, the community newsletter. Whatever we can do to promote the space.”