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In her new book Kroski, bestselling enthusiast of makerspaces, cosplay, and geek culture in libraries, has gathered creative and crafty librarians to share their most popular Kawaii programs. Running the gamut in terms of cost and difficulty, this book’s 53 programs are sure to include many that will fit your budget, space, and skills. Just scan the estimated budget, age range, materials, equipment needs, and learning outcomes in each listing. Projects include

• keychains with felt or 3D printing;
• slime squishies;
• 3D printed animal earrings;
• hosting a stuffed animal fashion show;
• monster emoji paper bookmarks;
• origami fortune cookies;
• buttons with anime or comic book art;
• crocheted coffee cozy or puppy nose warmer;
• tiny top hats with laser-cut felt cameos; and
• how to Kawaii-ify a planner.

What’s more, the plentiful suggestions for “next projects” scattered throughout the book will help you keep the super-cute fun going!

This new compilation from editor and maker Kroski spotlights a multitude of creative projects that you can tailor for your own library. Librarians and makers from across the country present projects as fun as an upcycled fashion show, as practical as Bluetooth speakers, and as mischievous as a catapult. Included are projects for artists, sewers, videographers, coders, and engineers. The handy reference format will help you quickly identify the estimated costs, materials, and equipment; and because several projects don’t even require a dedicated makerspace, every library can join in. Inside you’ll find how-to guidance for projects like

• a foam rocket launcher;
• stop-motion animation with 3D print characters;
• found-object robots;
• glowing ghost marionettes;
• Arduino eTextiles;
• magnetic slime;
• yarn painting;
• fidget flannels;
• an LED brooch; and
• cardboard sculpture.

With takeaways like origami tea lights or a t-shirt tote bag, your patrons will be sure to remember how much fun your library can be.

Melding universities’ strategic goals with libraries’ teaching and learning mission, the academic library makerspace can be a powerful catalyst for information literacy, offering faculty partners a place for interdisciplinary, experiential learning. If you’re pondering what it takes to get your makerspace into the curriculum, this volume’s relatable, first-hand accounts from librarians, makerspace staff, and faculty partners will give you the confidence to make the leap. Contributors, drawn from the IMLS-funded Maker Literacies project, describe pilots and assessment for a variety of demographics, course subjects, and makerspace equipment. Guided by their experiences, you’ll be ready to fully partner with faculty through the course integration and assessment process. Inside, you’ll learn

• why academic librarians are uniquely situated to be leaders in the realm of makerspaces and makerspace literacy;
• how the ACRL Framework informs maker competencies;
• methods for using competencies and assessment in designing course assignments;
• 5 steps for guiding faculty in creating assignments for makerspaces;
• advice on developing a new staffing and service model to handle course-wide use of the makerspace;
• steps for taking students through concept, design, prototype, and final product in a project management course;
• how an ethical perspective engaged a women’s history course toward the “In Her Shoes” project; 
• pedagogical strategies for integrating the makerspace into fine arts classes; and
• ways to showcase makerspace outputs to generate excitement around campus.

Whether you are just beginning your library’s maker efforts or are recalibrating a few years into your work, Making in School and Public Libraries is designed to help you grow your makerspace in a way that is engaging, affordable, and sustainable. Building on eight years of makerspace activities in the Michigan Makers and Making in Michigan Libraries project, the authors share their experiences creating or co-creating makerspace spaces and activities with for a wide band of interests, materials, tools, age groups, communities, budgets, and needs.

Readers will gain practical insights about how to

• Define goals and target audiences
• Customize programs to meet community needs
• Equip a makerspace
• Document activities
• Assess achievements and areas for growth
• Engage makers in a variety of technology and hands-on activities, including robots, 3D printing, sewing, cardboard challenges, knitting and crochet, design thinking, and zines

The authors’ experiences include co-creating one of the nation’s first school library makerspaces; establishing after-school maker programs with elementary and middle school learners; co-designing one-off and ongoing maker events for community-building in diverse public libraries; engaging with senior citizens in a low-income Senior Summer Camp pilot; and state, national, and international workshops for teachers, librarians, and youth mentors.