Baker & Taylor recently began offering its public libraries the option to purchase unique makerspace materials, helping them expand their offerings and build greater community among their patrons.

Makerspaces have become increasingly popular among both public libraries and their patrons. A makerspace is a space and tools or services provided by a library for patrons to use to create intellectual and physical projects. Patrons may use a 3D printer to design and print a physical object, for example, or they may learn a new skill, such as sewing, or creatively express themselves by using a green screen, computer and audio capture and editing tools to create and edit videos.

Follett has sold makerspace materials for years and has seen the popularity and success of this innovative library programming.

“Throughout the country we’ve been seeing a revolution in the use of libraries and in how libraries are serving their community,” says Jill Faherty, Vice President of Library Programs with Baker & Taylor. “They are being viewed as a community center where people can go not just to read and access books, but to make, build, explore and tinker.”

Many libraries have dedicated rooms for makerspace activities where children, teens, and adults can gather. Activities may be freeform, where friends casually gather and use the materials provided, or activities and lessons may be organized and lead by a librarian. Faherty says that almost every library she and her team has encountered at Baker & Taylor has a dedicated area for makerspace programming.

Baker & Taylor has established a microsite at makerspace.baker-taylor-site.com where libraries can view the more than 650 individual items available for order. Baker & Taylor also has been able to benefit from the strong vendor relationships that Follett has established and offers specialized kits and materials available only through Baker & Taylor or Follett. LEGO, for example, has assembled proprietary kits available for Baker & Taylor and Follett public library customers.

Available makerspace materials support the following subjects: 3D printing, A/V production, coding and programming, drones and vehicles, electronics, games, LEGO, robotics, science, sewing and crafts. Offerings run the gamut from individual supplies to full kits. Libraries can order filament for a 3D printer or a 3D pen. Or they can buy a kit that lets patrons build a solar-powered robot using a kit, for example.

“We’ve already sold several sewing machines in a short amount of time. They’ve proved very popular,” Faherty says. “This type of crafting option seems to be something unique for public libraries to offer.”

Faherty says she also sees a lot of teens producing videos. “It’s one of the teens’ favorite things to do,” she says. “They aren’t always looking for something physical to create. Sometimes they want to explore their creative ideas and share their talents in a different way.”

Baker & Taylor is continuing to build its inventory based on demand and feedback from its customers. Faherty says she saw tremendous interest at the American Library Association’s 2019 Annual Conference she attended at the end of June.

 Click here to visit the Makerspace website!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research shows that more young people are visiting the library. In 2016, the Pew Research Center found that 53% of Millennials (those aged 18 to 35 at the time) reported using a library or bookmobile in the previous 12 months. That compares with 45% of Gen Xers, 43% of Baby Boomers and 36% of those in the Silent Generation. The survey focused specifically on public libraries.

It’s exciting news for libraries. But more work remains left to be done, particularly with reaching out to potential patrons who don’t use the library. At least, not yet. How do we encourage these younger readers to return again and again?

Innovate your offerings.

In addition to discovering titles and authors, patrons can find a wealth of new offerings.

For example:

• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library encourages visitors to get “creatively messy” with free access to tools to design. Inside a glass room in Main Library in uptown Charlotte, you’ll hear the whirring of machines. It’s the sound of learning and comes from Idea Box, a makerspace that opened to the public in 2015.
• In Appanoose County, Iowa, the Drake Public Library added animals into its summer reading program. Zookeepers from the Blank Park Zoo visit the library and bring animals with them that the children can meet and touch.
• Attracting teenagers can be an added challenge. Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd. hosted a concert in the library inviting famous local musicians to take part and encourage teens and younger adults to visit.

Go outside the library.

In addition to serving patrons who already visit the library, it is imperative that public library systems reach out to those who don’t even come through the door.

One way is to use a Pop Up Library, such as that available from Baker & Taylor, because it lets the library take programming to a captive audience. Pop Up Library is a small network device with one dedicated purpose—to instantly deliver ebooks to readers wherever libraries choose. Libraries that use Pop Up Library are able to extend the reach of their digital collection across the community so material is accessible to all. Click here to watch the promo video  and learn more! 

#Libraries! 

Smart library systems are harnessing social media to attract new audiences. Think Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram just to start.

Social media helps libraries to tell their system’s unique story, and explain the value they are providing in a more consistent voice. YouTube, for example is a great place to share library experiences.  View The New York Public Library’s YouTube channel to see what they are doing.  Online chat features can connect patrons with librarians who can not only provide information but help build a relationship.

Turn new visitors into repeat ones.

New programming and outreach may bring more visitors into the library, but equally important is getting these newcomers to register with the library and return. collectionHQ’s Experimental Placement can help. This tool helps libraries track how well special displays and collections are resonating with patrons to inform shelving and content placement to better enhance the patron’s experience.

“I’m a big fan of studying the demographics and the sociographics of the culture of a community,” explains Amandeep Kochar, Executive Vice President – Sales, Product Management, Services and Technology Ops at Baker & Taylor. “As that is changing, and changing very actively, I think the task of attracting people to the library, particularly younger people, is becoming more difficult as the fabric of society changes. Oftentimes, the library needs tools in order to promote their services and tell their stories because they are fighting for the same eyeballs as some of the big corporations out there. And the library has to be equipped with the tools to effectively compete for the time from the current generation and the upcoming generation.”

Want to learn more? Visit collectionHQ’s website at collectionhq.com

 

Consumers these days can do almost anything with a click of a mouse or a tap on a screen. Goods can be bought and delivered within hours. New products can be easily browsed. And online advertising seems to magically target its ideal audience, connecting customers with items matching their needs and wants.

This easy and instant access to goods and information is changing consumer expectations and could threaten our more established institutions, notably libraries. With budget constraints and limited resources, libraries can’t be expected to invest millions in research and development, experiment with unproven gadgets, or compete with the tech giants driving these changes. While technology presents a threat, however, it also offers solutions for ensuring libraries remain relevant and essential parts of our communities. One tool that can help ensure a library’s longevity is what’s known as big data.

Continue reading “ESP by Baker & Taylor- Future-Proofing Libraries With Data” →

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based Selection Planning (ESP) offers a decision support system to
help libraries select current and pre-published titles in the right quantities to
the right locations.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, GA is a 34 branch system serving
a population of more than 1,000,000. Shortly after he was appointed as
Executive Director at the library, Dr Gabriel Morley made the decision to
introduce Evidence-based Selection Planning (ESP) to support more informed
selection decisions.

THE CHALLENGE

Introduction of the collectionHQ Dashboard in 2014 offered new insight into the library’s
collection that shocked Gabriel and the team. Gabriel explained: “We had been looking at our circulation statistics over a long period of time in order to better understand the needs of our patrons. What we found was disturbing. Almost 53% of our collection was Dead on Arrival, which meant it rarely circulated.” Dead on Arrival (DOA) is a metric that reveals new items added to a library’s collection within the last 6-18 months that have either never circulated or had been checked out only once. This revelation therefore prompted the team to take action.

Continue reading “Case Study – Adding Life to Collections With collectionHQ and ESP” →