Tales from a Model Makerspace

Ron Schermacher, the Idea Lab Educator at Ignacio Community Library in southwest Colorado, was once a regular library user who would check out books about local history from the library. He admits that, before working at the library, he held the common misperception about library work that there would be time for reading on the job. But after stepping into a role as Library Assistant, it didn’t take long for Ron to change his view and understand the full magnitude of what library staff do and all libraries offer. In his time working at Ignacio Community Library, he has expanded its services in truly impressive ways. Ron still spends part of his time working as a library assistant as well as planning programs, creating take-and-make kits, adding to the Library of Things collection and coordinating volunteers and interns. But growing and managing the Idea Lab is at the heart of all his work. Ignacio Community Library’s Idea Lab is a tinkerer’s paradise. Ron is continually adding to the materials available, learning about the machines, keeping them serviced, and helping people use them. He lights up when given a chance to explain what each machine does. Although he clearly loves every tool available, Ron also told us, “It’s not about the machines themselves, it’s about the deeper learning behind the machines that they can provide.” …

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