Makerspace@Pustaka

Makerspace@Pustaka is a makerspace initiated and maintained by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak or Pustaka. It was conceptualised based on observation made by officers of Pustaka who went for attachment training abroad. The space was formally set up and commissioned in 2016. At present, it occupies a 600 square feet room on the ground floor of the library building. It is managed and administered by the Community Engagement Services Division of the Library Services Sector.

What is a Makerspace?

According to makerspace.com a makerspace is ''a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. These spaces are open to kids, adults, and entrepreneurs and have a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, cnc machines, soldering irons and even sewing machines. A makerspace however doesn’t need to include all of these machines or even any of them to be considered a makerspace. If you have cardboard, legos and art supplies you’re in business.'' From the library perspective or point of view, John J. Burke defines a makerspace as ''an area in a library where users can use tools and equipment to design, build, and create all sorts of different things. It may be a dedicated room or a multipurpose space in which a collection of raw materials and resources can be utilized as desired. Projects range from prototyping product designs with 3D printers, to programming robots, to creating art out of recycled items.''

Equipment and Peripherals

The space has the following items for the community to use

a) 3D printers and 3D doodlers
b) Personal computers and Macintosh
c) Tablet computers
d) Painting equipment e) Cameras and video recorders f) Electronic parts

Activities and Programs

Activities and programs at the space are planned annually. Thematic programs which range from simple briefings to hands-on sessions are organised and held at regular intervals. The following are some of the activities and program that had been held

• Recreational robot construction
• Drone races
  
• Batik weaving workshops
  
• Impression and painting workshops
  
• Woodworking workshops
  
• 3D printing workshops
  

All these programs had never failed to draw huge crowd from the community.

Collaboration

Pustaka collaborates with numerous parties to organise makerspace programs and activities. Most of these parties are non-profit.