Hi, Everyone,

My colleague Andrea Levandowski, Library Consultant, Small Business Development & Technology, and I are working on a project called Catalyzing Teen Entrepreneurship through Makerspaces. We are sending out a survey to public libraries to ask if you would please fill it out so we can get an idea of what kinds of maker activities and makerspaces there are in NJ public libraries. Thank you in advance!

~ Sharon
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Please add your library to the scan of maker activities and makerspaces in New Jersey public libraries!

What is this survey? The purpose is to document making and makerspaces in public libraries and how libraries play a role in supporting teens and new adults (ages 18-24) as innovators, entrepreneurs, designers, and problem solvers with real world impact. The survey is designed to learn from public library staff about what is valuable and what is needed.

Why is it being conducted? NJ State Library will use what is learned to develop professional learning opportunities for NJ public library staff, including best practices in utilizing makerspaces and supporting teen innovation and community impact.

How might this impact me?

• The NJ State Library will be better positioned to understand and support your library
• Related professional development opportunities for NJ public library staff will be offered
• What is learned about making and makerspaces in NJ public libraries will be shared to help connect library staff members with each other across the state. The information can also be used to show the broader impact of makerspaces on communities.

Who should participate?

• Staff familiar with front line teen services and/or library making activities or makerspaces, including:
  • staff who work with teens and 18-24 year olds as a primary part of their job OR staff in small libraries where services are distributed equally across all ages
  • staff who lead or work in public library makerspaces and/or contribute to participation in NJ Makers Day
  • staff who coordinate or lead maker activities in public libraries, regardless of the equipment or technology available
• We only need ONE survey to be completed for each library location/branch (or two if knowledge of making and teen services is separate and held by different people who are not able to collaborate to fill it out together)

How can I participate? Please fill out this brief survey. It should take no more than 10 minutes.

• We ask that all surveys be completed by Monday October 17, 2022
• There are no right or wrong answers. Your individual answers will not be shared with anyone beyond the consultant conducting the environmental scan. Data will be aggregated to find patterns throughout the state.

Who is collecting the data? Caitlin Martin is an external consultant conducting the statewide scan. The survey is the first step, followed by qualitative conversations with front line staff.

If you have any questions or would like to talk more about this, please contact Caitlin directly, at ...@gmail.com" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">ckma...@gmail.com.

Thank you!

All the best,

Sharon Rawlins, MLS (she/her/hers)

Youth Services Specialist

Library Development Bureau

New Jersey State Library

P. 609-278-2640 x116

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W. www.njstatelib.org

185 West State Street

P.O. Box 520, Trenton, NJ  08625