3D Printers, Maker spaces

and their role in Public Libraries

What exactly is 3D Printing?

 'a process for making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many successive thin layers of a material'

Wikipedia

Interactive storytelling sessions for those with support needs - I draw, he prints, and together we make

Creating props for Children’s reading Schemes.

Creating replica roman coins for McManus Galleries exhibition - Roman Empire: Power and People and scanning software to replicate existing parts of their permanent collection.

Dr Christopher Lim - designs technology and/or products that support wellbeing as well as the relationship between interface design, product interaction, cognitive ageing and prior generational technological experience.

What are Maker Spaces?

Maker Space is a community owned and run workshop in Newcastle Upon Tyne. We're an eclectic group of makers, creatives, programmers, scientists and engineers and we've set up a space to meet, work, socialise, share ideas and collaborate.

www.makerspace.org.uk/

...a Social Enterprise to give people access to a space, the tools and the knowledge to design, develop and prototype ideas.

...a welcoming place where you can walk in the door with an idea, discuss with friendly, informative people and leave with a prototype product. ...a thriving community of designers, makers, manufacturers and mentors.

MAKLAB

So why bring them to libraries?

A shared ethos.

Public Libraries provide equal access to knowledge and resources especially to the excluded

Libraries are the living room of the community

Libraries are changing – less print collections and more social engagement, providing education and research needs.

Free Broadband and Wi-Fi access.

Training in digital technologies e.g. ECDL classes and Internet training and drop in sessions.

Ebooks and digital magazine services.

Online subscriptions to Databases and resources such as NHS 24, British Standards.

Coordinating volunteer teams to assist with CV’s and online applications

Long term loans of Ipads to excluded groups

Likewise Maklab - as a social enterprise is committed to:

Putting technology in the hands of people who can learn from it

Providing an easily accessible environment for people to grow ideas

Making design inclusive and removing prohibitive factors

Offer low cost access to digital prototyping equipment and training

Making learning resources and reading materials available to a wide demographic

Encouraging skill sharing and knowledge transfer through studio based learning

Engaging with local business, education, charitable organisations and like-minded parties

Facilitating events and support groups who have similar ethos and working practice

So why come to Dundee?

Dundee has high levels of unemployment, social deprivation and ant-social behaviour

an incredibly rich history of textiles, traditional manufacturing processes and invention

the most creative design community in Scotland - reflected in the title of the UK’s first City of Design status

as awarded by UNESCO

MAKLab Dundee will be a place for people to gather, discuss, develop and demonstrate ideas. A place for them to think about their skills and their

employability.

Empowering them to take the steps to improve their personal situation and the society around

them.