From Chattanooga Public Library as his first creative library in 2013 to 2 years working in New Zealand, Hoenke has come to learn that all areas of library service in the 21st century need creative thinkers and doers to continue to push the boundaries of what a library can be to a community ahead. Learn how to connect with, hire, and manage creative types; realize that everything we do in libraries these days involves some form of creativity or makerspace-type thinking (scissors=makerspace); see what it's like to lead the first ever makerspace in Wellington, New Zealand, and more!

1. From Chattanooga Public Library as his
first creative library in 2013 to 2 years
working in New Zealand, Hoenke has
come to learn that all areas of library
service in the 21st century need creative
thinkers and doers to continue to push
the boundaries of what a library can be to
a community ahead. Learn how to
connect with, hire, and manage creative
types; realize that everything we do in
libraries these days involves some form
of creativity or makerspace-type thinking
(scissors=makerspace); see what it's like
to lead the first ever makerspace in
Wellington, New Zealand, and more!
Creative Making & Makerspaces
Computers in Libraries 2023
Thursday, March 30: 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

2. HIRE WONDERFUL PEOPLE, TAKE CARE OF
THEM, AND LET THEM BE FREE
● Balance! You need all kinds of people.
● Be kind: Listen to what your employees are saying,
and do everything you can to make their dreams
come true.
● Training: Never stop learning. Always grow.
● Trust your staff: They know what’s best.

4. EVERYTHING IS A MAKERSPACE
● Creativity happens everywhere
● You don’t need to have a makerspace to have a
makerspace
● As we’ll talk about more this morning...it’s actually about
the people you have around you.
● Engage the community
● Hoard the stuff (but don’t be a hoarder)!

6. COMMUNITY
● Some of your best teachers & advocates will be your
community members.
● Talk to them! You will find out a lot with a simple chat.
● Utilize their skills: community members want the
library to thrive and will help with pretty much
whatever it needs.
● Welcome them: remember that you manage the
space, but this is THEIR library.

8. RESOURCES
Chattanooga Public Library Work:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/category/libraries/chattanooga-public-library/
Titusville, PA Heritage Connection:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2019/06/24/titusville-pa-heritage-connection/
Benson Memorial Library Obituary Index:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2019/03/27/relevant-at-any-size-benson-memorial-library-obituary-index/
Waitohi Community Hub and The Hive Makerspace at Wellington City Libraries: https://justinthelibrarian.com/category/libraries/wellington-city-
libraries/
Great Library & Community Work by Lewis Ioane:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2021/09/27/great-library-community-work-by-lewis-ioane/
Pride 2021 @ Johnsonville Library:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2021/07/13/new-zealand-library-work-pride-2021-johnsonville-library/
“Let Your Creativity Flow at The Hive Makerspace”:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2021/06/09/let-your-creativity-flow-at-waitohis-makerspace/
The Hive Makerspace:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2021/04/20/new-zealand-library-work-tuhura-hive-makerspace/
Creativity in Public Libraries during Covid-19:
https://justinthelibrarian.com/2020/04/08/creativity-in-public-libraries-during-covid-19-an-ongoing-list-of-cool-things/