Resources
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Preview and download materials to support your make-a-thek journey.
How to work on your network
How to build local partnerships with organizations, artists, start-ups, and more.
Starting Circular Practices
A practical guide to introduce reuse, repair, material care, and circular habits into your make-a-thek activities.
Building a Physical Material Library
Step-by-step guidance to collect, label, store, display, and manage physical material samples in your make-a-thek space.
make-a-thek Space Planner
How to design a make-a-thek space using a physical and digital planning kit.
Machine Cards
A practical set of cards to explore key machines: what they do, their pros and cons, required skills, and approximate costs.
make-a-thek Manifesto
What drives us can inspire you too. Make the Manifesto your own: share it, spread it, and let its values guide your actions.
Digital Activity Ideas
Examples and simple activities using digital tools, machines, and creative technologies.
How to Map Your Users
A simple method to identify and understand your current and potential user base.
Working with communities
Best practices in community outreach and communication strategies.
How to map local experts
How to identify local professionals and creatives who could contribute to your project.
Network of Experts
How to find local skill mediators, circular collaborators and community talents for your make-a-thek project
Basic practices for inclusiveness
Tips and guidelines to foster participation, belonging and representation for diverse user groups.
Managing Expectations and Rules
How to explain the make-a-thek as a shared learning space, while setting clear rules and expectations.
Communication, Photos and Digital Content
How to communicate your make-a-thek activities, collect consent for photos and videos, and share stories with care
Activity Feedback Cards
A printable tool to collect participants’ experiences, key takeaways and suggestions to improve future activities or events.
Set-up guidelines for Temporary Spaces
How to set up and manage flexible or pop-up makerspaces in your library.
Set-up guidelines for Fixed Spaces
How to plan and organize a permanent, dedicated make-a-thek area.
How to use the spaces
Guidance on using your space responsibly, from selected machines and materials to shared rules and planned activities.
Wearable Wall Organizer
A step-by-step guide to sew a versatile tool organizer that can be worn, hung, and customized for your make-a-thek space.
Basic principles of accessible space
focus on article: Basic principles of accessible space How to ensure your makerspace is inclusive and accessible for a wide range of users.
Best practices for energy efficiency
Best practices for energy efficiecy on how to design and manage your space with sustainability and energy-saving in mind.
Booking system
A printable poster tool to help manage the booking of machines and spaces.
What you can do with machines and materials
A practical guide to what you can create by combining machines, materials and activities.
Machine Tutorials
How to use key machines: a practical guide to materials, workflows, safety notes and creative uses.
Collecting materials
How to collect, manage and reuse surplus materials through local partnerships and community contributions.
Storage Systems
How to organise tools, materials and resources in a clear, safe and easy-to-use way.
Analogue Activity Ideas
Examples and simple activities using analogue tools, craft techniques, and accessible materials.