Maker Corps at the Evanston Public Library

By Renee Neumeier, Young Adult Librarian, Evanston Public Library

Evanston Public Library is thrilled to host two Maker Corps members this summer!  Evanston Public Library is located in the diverse community of Evanston, Illinois.  The library has one main branch downtown and two smaller branches on the north and south sides of town.  The main branch of the library is home to the Loft (epl.org/teens), a space especially  designed for teens in grades 6-12. The Loft provides computers, couches, study rooms, hang out space, tons of programs and of course books and other materials for teens.

Maker Corps members who are posted at EPL will be assisting with further developing our existing Maker programs for teens; FUSE  (STEM-based hands-on challenges designed by the Office of STEM Education Partnerships at Northwestern University), Robotics @ the Loft and our monthly DIY programs (ranging from paper clip chandeliers to zombie string dolls). They will receive training on how to plan and lead new Maker programs for teens and kids and will be able to create new program ideas to share with the library’s youth, teens and families. Maker Corps interns will also assist with planning out activities for a seven week program that is offered yearly through a partnership with The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University for sixth grade members of their Project Excite program.  For this program Loft staff puts together a program that focuses on reading, writing and also STEM based activities. In the past we’ve done programs that incorporate bike maintenance, poetry writing and more.  This year we’re hoping to use music as our overall theme and include activities like creating drums out of found objects and circuit bending.

Evanston Public Library wants encourage the youth who come their programs to be creative, expand their hobbies and meet new friends with similar interests.  We hope that youth will develop new passions through their explorations and experiences at our programs that might develop in a college and career paths that they want to follow.

Maker Ed is pleased to welcome The Evanston Public Library as a Maker Corps Host Site. For a complete list of current Maker Corps Host Sites, and to apply to be a Maker Corp Member, please see our Maker Corps Page. – Steve