Tuesday, October 24, 2017

A successful makerspace demands a unique service model, and the librarian-at-the-desk ain’t it. Whether you’re just pitching your makerspace plan today or you’ve been making for years, this talk challenges you to remix your preconceived notions of service to develop a fast casual restaurant model. How do you create a welcoming environment where everyone can comfortably fail, succeed, and learn? How do you empower makers while preserving equipment (and your budget)? How do you play to a variety of staff strengths in a fast-moving environment? Hit the sweet spot between the full dining experience and a self-serve buffet with librarians on their feet, stoking the oven along with patrons, guiding them through the entire meal from scratch to dining room. Speakers share the secrets of Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District’s Studio, a thriving makerspace serving everything from classic art to high-tech experiences in a collaborative, creative environment.