Successful Makerspace Initiatives depend on the assessment and deployment of existing talents and connections at the local level, and on identifying untapped talents and connections
that emerge through the community engagement process. The Community Engagement process leverages the learning and accomplishments of individuals and groups in the library Makerspace to
create change and build community vitality.
Prior to the rotating Library Innovation Studio’s arrival at each library, staff from the Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Extension, and Regional Library Systems will facilitate
the community engagement process, using the following steps:
- Welcome Webinar with local library staff and the Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Extension, and Regional Library System staff;
- Initial site visit with local library staff and the Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Extension, and Regional Library System staff;
- Initial meeting of Community Action Team formed by the local library:
- solicits input
- builds consensus, and
- gets buy-in from the Community Action Team and other local partners.
- Work through Templates:
- Forming a Community Action Team
Worksheet
- Forming a Training Team
Worksheet
- Event Planning Form (Open House, etc.)
- Library staff and Extension Educators will work with community partners in a collaborative effort:
- Getting the Conversation Going
- Staying Engaged and Maintaining Momentum
- Celebrating Success (Local Maker Showcase, UNL Inventors' Fair, etc.)
- Community Engagement in Library Innovation Studios, with Nebraska Extension Educator Connie Hancock on the role of libraries in Community Engagement,
focusing on building a local Community Action Team. (Excerpted from Webinar March 15, 2017 NCompass Live: Library Innovation Studios - Project Introduction and Application Process)
The local partnership for Community Engagement is a major component of the grant and it is the best opportunity to maximize our efforts in
building local library Makerspaces. Working together within our communities, the library staff and extension educators can reach out to partner and make alliances,
embracing and presenting new technology and opportunities. Through collaborative action, they can empower people and groups to use the Makerspace development process
to address community problems and take responsibility for solutions.