The Maker Cookbook: Recipes for Children's and 'Tween Library Programs
Ebook
Ebooks are designed for reading and have few connections to your library.
Overview
The Maker Movement is hot, and librarians are eager to participate. Even if you feel restricted by budget, staff, or space, this step-by-step guide will help you turn your library into a creativity center.
The Maker Movement is sweeping the nation because it is creative and educational—and a lot of fun. Nonetheless, some librarians have hesitated to incorporate the movement into their programming because their libraries do not have dedicated makerspaces. If that describes you, then take heart. Written by librarians for librarians, this “cookbook” proves that every library is already a MakerPlace and provides you with recipes to make your library come alive with creativity.
Easy-to-use, step-by-step guidance helps you create engaging K–8 programs in science and technology, arts and crafts, and home skills that are perfect for the library setting. The menu of ideas is broken into four types of programming. “Appetizers” add a taste of the Maker movement to existing library programs. “Entrees” present full programs for a lengthy one-day event or a short series. “Side Dishes” are programs you can use if you have limited staff, budget, space, or any combination of those. “Desserts” are low-tech programs, suitable for young children. Each “recipe” includes extensions, variations, and curriculum tie-ins that give you even more ways to present the program ideas, whether to a different audience or as part of other related activities. Programs that involve creating a “Balloon Zip Line,” a “Zen Garden,” or a “Maker Marketplace” will delight library users and generate activity and excitement in your library.
The Maker Movement is hot, and librarians are eager to participate. Even if you feel restricted by budget, staff, or space, this step-by-step guide will help you turn your library into a creativity center.
Makes it easy for you to host Maker programs for children and ’tweens—with "No Makerspace Required!"
Provides clear, step-by-step directions for creating new Maker programming or adding Maker elements to an existing program
Offers alternatives that allow you to customize programs according to the resources available
Suggests curricular tie-ins so the programs can be used in a school setting
Includes appendices chock full of supplemental materials such as book-discussion questions, checklists, and other reproducible participant handouts
CONTENTS
Foreword by Bill Derry
Introduction
Section 1: Appetizers
Chapter 1: Alternate Reality
Chapter 2: Balloon Zip Line
Chapter 3: Off to the Races!
Chapter 4: Cardboard aMAZEment
Chapter 5: The Fake Spill
Chapter 6: Meteorite Strike!
Section 2: Side Dishes
Chapter 7: Scratch That Technology Itch
Chapter 8: All the World’s a Puppet Stage
Chapter 9: Look Ma, No Needles!
Chapter 10: Zen Garden
Section 3: Main Entrees
Chapter 11: Maker Open House
Chapter 12: Animation Exploration
Chapter 13: Necessity is the Mother Nature of Invention Convention
Chapter 14: Plastic vs. Plastic
Chapter 15: Silent Film
Chapter 16: Stop Motion Films
Chapter 17: Chalktography
Chapter 18: Fairy Tale Theater
Chapter 19: It’s All about Me
Chapter 20: Maker Marketplace
Chapter 21: My, What Big Claws You Have
Chapter 22: T-Shirt Transfer-mations
Chapter 23: Do Play with Your Food
Chapter 24: Fondant Game
Chapter 25: Food Detectives
Chapter 26: Pet Spa
Chapter 27: Unheavy Metal
Section 4: Desserts
Chapter 28: Our Maker Neighborhood
Chapter 29: Preschool Drum Corps
Chapter 30: Project Planet
Chapter 31: Transportation Station
Chapter 32: Happy Campers
Chapter 33: The Very Healthy Butterfly
Section 5: Appendices
Appendix A: Book Discussion Questions
Appendix B: Letters and Documentation for Parents and Caregivers
Appendix C: Handouts for Program Participants
Appendix D: Auxiliary Program Materials
Index
Programs that involve creating a “Balloon Zip Line,” a “Zen Garden,” or a “Maker Marketplace” will delight library users and generate activity and excitement in your library. Thoroughly ‘user friendly’ throughout.
- Title: The Maker Cookbook: Recipes for Children's and 'Tween Library Programs
- Authors: Lynn Pawloski, Cindy Wall, Bill Derry
- Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Pages: 250
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBN: 9798216113515
- Resource ID: LLS:9798216113515
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T15:41:34Z
Cindy R. Wall, MLS, has been head of Children's Services at the Southington Library and Museum in Connecticut for 10 years.
Lynn M. Pawloski, MLS, is a children's librarian at the Southington Library and Museum.