CNet:
Libraries are repositioning themselves as cultural and learning centers for the digital age. Many lend out mobile hotspots, often for weeks at a time. Others offer classes in the latest tech, such as 3D printing and music-editing software. And libraries have some of the savviest social media editors around.
On Sunday, libraries across the country began celebrating their evolving mission during National Library Week. Melinda Gates serves as honorary chairwoman of the annual event, which is sponsored by the American Library Association. Gates is an appropriate choice: She and husband Bill began funding computers, internet access and software for libraries in low-income communities through an organization they established in 1997.
Do libraries have a future as makerspaces?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 09 2019, @07:40PM (1 child)
A library is a collection of information. Having 3d printers may be useful but why don't libraries then have tools (saws, wrenches, sockets, hammers, bandsaws) to lend out?
I'd rather see my library use its resources to expand the information I can access and leave the specialist hardware equipment to other places ... like makerspaces or colleges.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday April 09 2019, @08:00PM
Actually, I have seen libraries that lent out small kits. I think they were more oriented towards kids, but there may have been kits with small tools in them.
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