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The Maker Lab's Pop-Ups and its Mini-Me's
Monday, November 23, 2015
By: Rachel Yeomans

The Library Foundation-funded Maker Lab has been making both Pop-up appearances and 6-week Mini Maker Lab residences throughout Chicago neighborhoods.

Thanks to grant funding to the Library Foundation from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Motorola Mobility Foundation, and Comcast, CPL’s Maker Lab has been presenting Pop-Up appearances and 6-week Mini Maker Lab residences throughout Chicago neighborhoods.

What was supposed to be a single 6-week downtown presence in 2013 has grown to serve Chicagoans in their own neighborhoods – and it’s not done growing yet! In 2015 alone the Maker Lab served more than 42,000 patrons.

The Maker Lab, Chicago’s first free, publicly accessible maker space, housed in the Harold Washington Library Center, features introductory workshops and open shop for personal projects and collaboration.

In 2014, the program targeted three neighborhoods that had not yet visited the Maker Lab. “It was interesting going into the area and letting the adults know that [the Maker Lab] is not just for kids,” said Mark E. Andersen, Director of Learning and Economic Advancement at the Chicago Public Library. “We’d tell them, ‘This is for you!’”

The Maker Labs also introduced themselves to library patrons via 2-day pop-up events. They showcased actual projects created by previous participants and crowdsourced ideas for what projects to undertake. Items included 3D printed earrings, keychains, rings and decals. “The Pop-Ups are more demonstrations,” said Andersen. “The Mini Maker Labs have a much deeper engagement.” In 2016, CPL plans to have one Mini Maker Lab in the spring and two in the fall.

Andersen is confident that CPL met its goal with the Mini Maker Labs and Pop-Up demonstrations: to get people in these neighborhoods to visit the larger Maker Lab at Harold Washington Library Center in downtown. “People don’t leave their neighborhood unless there’s a reason,” shared Andersen. “But if there’s a reason to leave, they will.” And the Maker Lab proved to be that reason.

Visit the Chicago Public Library's website for Maker Lab workshops taking place at the Harold Washington Library.