A UK Government report in 2019 defined makerspaces as
A Makerspace is a physical location where people gather to co-create, share resources and knowledge, work on projects, network, and build. They help intermediate and advanced users develop their skills and creativity, particularly inspiring younger generations to engage with the STEM agenda – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (or STEAM as it is now sometimes becoming referred to, by also including the Arts). Their activity promotes development of high-end technology skills needed for prosperity and social mobility. Makerspaces in libraries featured strongly in the UK Digital Strategy in recognition of their value and impact.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport: Libraries and makerspaces Updated 4 October 2019 Link
More widely makerspaces are part of an international movement described in Wikipedia as:
A hackerspace (also referred to as a hacklab,hackspace, or makerspace) is a community-operated, often “not for profit” .., workspace where people with common interests, such as computers, machining, technology, science, digital art, or electronic art, can meet, socialize, and collaborate. Hackerspaces are comparable to other community-operated spaces with similar aims and mechanisms such as Fab Lab, men’s sheds, and commercial “for-profit” companies.
Link
Makerspaces have spread since their beginnings in Germany in the 1990’s and are now established widely around the world. In many places they are based in Universities, Schools and Public Libraries. Lichfield Library at St Mary’s has made available a number of 3d Printers for a while now although their access has been limited by the Covid restrictions.
In Lichfield we see the benefit of providing an independent Makerspace facility although collaboration with educational institutions and other public bodies could provide valuable synergy.
There are a number of local Makerspaces in the region in various states of development. We include below a few we are aware of and will happily add any more that are notified to us.
The maker space movement has spawned a larger scale activity the open-access factory. Examples can be found in Enfield, London and Digbeth, Birmingham
- Bloqs, Enfield http://buildingbloqs.com
- Steam House , Digbeth, https://steamhouse.org.uk/