Student Techsperts Manage Makerspace Resources!

The more I teach, the more I learn. This year I began a Student Techspert team to help manage the makerspace resources and technology in our library.

Our library makerspace has grown exponentially in a very short time, and without a full-time staff it can be difficult to provide the level of personalized library service that I had hoped to give. So this year we have a team of about 10 techsperts who assist in the library during their lunch period or study hall. These students are assistants who help me to ensure that the library space is utilized to its potential. With a checklist in hand and badges, techsperts issue Chromebooks and iPads, make sure they are returned properly and are charged, tidy up the makerspace, and offer assistance to students. I also oversee their promotion of the library through the @BSMSLIB twitter account where they share pictures and videos to showcase our activities. They also use the FlipGrid app to record interviews of students to demonstrate what they have learned in the library.  Techsperts are empowered to acknowledge students who are making a difference in the library,to help write projects to secure funds from the DonorsChoose charity crowdsourcing platform, and to lead their peers in makerspace activities. Our student techspert team has been recognized by the American Library Association for their participation in the Libraries Transform campaign. Each day I look forward to working with this wonderful group of dedicated and creative students.