Apparently, the answer is “yes” 
Thanks for the explanations, all.
I see an erosion of privacy looming. With books, a library user can explore any concept that he can find in print, secretly and privately in his own space and mind. “Making” is much more conspicuous and visible and easily channeled, and library monitors can observe what is being made and how it is being forumlated in the Maker. Further, it is much easier to limit or direct or censor the materials for Making, effectively excluding dissent or even seeds thereof.
It’s true, books have been historically censored by libraries, particularly school libraries. But ideas can still trickle through the screen.
The libraries that I have seen are about as much “makerspaces” as the neighborhood park is a professional sports venue. Its great that they are trying, but sadly they are too “risk averse” to partake in even a fraction of what the bigger outfits are doing.
We were recently donated a full blown 55,000psi commercial waterjet cutter that can cut 1" steel plate to .005 inch accuracy. That accuracy isnt great but its free and good enough for 95% of what me might want to do with it. Last weekend 8 of us went to the donors business to disassemble and move the 4 ton monstrosity, we are going to start putting it together in a couple weeks. Once it is up and running we will be one of a handful of such facilities to have such equipment
Meh, we have only 1 meaningful rule, no gun construction in the machine shop. All manner of non mainstream items products have been made already.
My big thing lately has been laser cutting MDF molds for casting pewter items and I am looking at expanding on that to do masters for lost wax casting. Since I cannot carve to save my life I can laser cut patterns to cast a wax master then do a silicone mold of that to make dozens of wax masters to make an investment cast and cast silver or gold.
That would be good accuracy for a waterjet in 1". Is is a tilting head to compensate for taper? FYI, budget plenty for maintenance. We have one at work and it’s a constant stream of expensive parts and consumables going into that thing. I’m going to guess you won’t be using it consistently and that seems to be worse for leaks to show up.
Well no not really. Students are not graded on did they build and do whatever project. Most schools have dropped all shop classes except for woodworking.
There is a similar one here called Hammerspace.
Alot of it is being a place where say someone wants to build something but lacks the space and tools, well there is a place for that.
I know. I was on the library foundation board for a year and finally found a graceful excuse to quit. One or two elderly, old-school types coupled with a town that thinks spending money is on a level with opening a major artery, and every good idea that’s cheered at the inception is watered down to a useless pale shadow when and if it’s ever completed. Odd how many of these completed efforts suit the same small cadre of elders - that is, the new “maker space” will suit the knitting and crochet crowd very well.
Lol, our knitting and sewing types are usually looking around like you just dropped them into the first big “dino” scene in jurrasic park, not sure if they should be amazed or terrified.
Yep, there is already talk of raising membership fees as well as separate additional charges for time on it to even begin to feed this beast. We spent a while talking to one of the operators at the place that donated it shoveling used abrasive out of the tank sounds like “fun”
That was my first thought too!
Don’t forget art classes, at least from the description upthread.
I’m sorry to see this trend. Today’s kids have a two step process for doing research:
Step 1: Google it
Step 2: If step 1 fails, give up.
You know, unless they want to do it on their own. Much like what has to happen if they don’t have a “makerspace” available.
That’s only what they do when they’re on your lawn. Tell them to get off it already!
Not at my school they don’t. First, many start with Britannica online, or even (shudder) a book. Many also know reputable sites to start with. If they get stuck? Mr. P, can you help me find…
Why? Because they listen to their school librarian.