Jasna Brkić
brkicjasna011@gmail.com

Violeta Đorđević
violeta_djordjevic@yahoo.com

Biblioteka grada Beograda

doi: 10.19090/cit.2017.30.71-79
No. 30 (May 2017), p. 71-79

In the Realm of Books and Robots: Makerspace
in the Children’s Department of the Belgrade City Library

Summary

The basic questions raised in this paper are – how well can libraries reconceptualize themselves within the framework of their common initiatives and their activities in the direction of digital development and lifelong learning, and what are the social challenges they face. The makerspace concept is introduced into the libraries as one of the successful solutions for work improvement that is compatible to the needs of the modern age. In the paper, the essence of the concept is being analyzed, with a brief description of its development. The need for the initiative is being discussed. Furthermore, the transformation of the libraries within the makerspace concept is described, through the development of the creative space where people with similar interests can gather in order to deal with computers, technology, electronic devices, machines and applied science. The multiple advantages of acquiring knowledge through the practical work, interdisciplinary approach and the research process in a space that can be considered an alternative educational institution is pointed out. The special attention is drawn to the incredible opportunities this concept offers – e.g., the participants of various workshops and projects can create different digital and physical objects, individually or with the help of educators and other participants, sharing equipment, resources and materials. The initial steps in the development of the makerspace concept are described using the example of the Tehnoteka project realized at the Children’s Department of the Belgrade City Library. The workshops in LEGO programming for the students of elementary, middle and high school age, such as workshops in 3D modeling and printing, are explained in great detail. In the implementation of these workshops the principal of learning through play is applied, in which children and young adults acquire new and expand existing knowledge with the help of modern technology, in an informal setting and outside the educational boundaries. At the end, the paper examines the further possibilities for work in this field, and the benefits of introducing the makerspace concept into libraries.

Keywords:

public libraries, libraries for children and young adults,makerspace concept, educational workshops, learning through play, LEGO Education, LEGO robotics, 3D technologies, Belgrade City Library

Submitted: 27th February 2017
Correction to the manuscript: 22nd March 2017
Accepted for publication: 30th March 2017

In the Realm of Books and Robots: Makerspace in the Children’s Department of the Belgrade City Library by Jasna Brkić and Violeta Đorđević is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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