HC library’s Maker Space encourages creativity

By Kennedy Foreman

With a strong focus on academics, creativity is often overlooked. This year, however, the HC library has brought creativity back into the academic sphere. HC librarians, Amanda Hurley and Felica White, have made a place for any student throughout the day to create called the Maker Space.

The Maker Space has puzzles, Legos, coloring books and programming equipment all for students to use.  The idea behind it is to give students more options in the library, more than just reading and playing on the computer.

“It’s a time to create,” Hurley said. “(It’s) something to make things and to kind of think about things.”

The idea has been circulating in other libraries for years, implementing them for students. Many had been sharing their students’ creations on Facebook and other platforms.

“Whenever (students) had extra time in class, instead of just using the computer to try to play a game, they would now come in to be proactive,” Hurley said.

This is the goal for HC’s Maker Space, to have kids come in and out freely in order to create and have fun. Although, the Maker Space is not picking up as much pace as what is hoped.

“So far it’s been received well,” White said. “Most students don’t really know what it is or they don’t know what to do with it.”

This may be tied to the many events the library has to hold during the beginning of the year. The tables have continuously been moved, blocking students’ view of the Maker Space.  So far, there have also been few advertisements promoting the Maker Space.

“We have to do a better job of spreading the word,” White said, “letting students know this is a space for them.”

Although the word hasn’t yet spread, has still found interest in the Maker Space.

“I find there’s a lot of great things in it,” HC student Ashton Baty. “I haven’t tried everything in it, but so far I am interested.”

This is a place for students to go to be imaginative. Without boundaries, students can use the Maker Space whenever there is free time within their schedule. So if you find any free time in the day, stop by the Maker Space in the HC library.