Partnerships help ensure long-term success by:
- Embedding the makerspace in the community
- Creating more community stakeholders
- Making more connections to the larger community
- Addressing community needs
- Supporting activities
- Securing long-term sustainability
- Helping to develop ideas and forward thinking
- Being a source of expert volunteers
Libraries have formed partnerships with foundations, educational non-profits, municipal governments, community-based organizations, cultural and educational organizations, higher education and business or industrial partners. These partners can provide essential funding, but as the bullet points indicate the support of a partnership goes well beyond funding. Many makerspaces rely heavily on community partnerships for expert volunteers. Volunteers can run training programs and maintain equipment. Volunteers can share their expertise and skill, reducing the pressure of library staff. Connections to the community will increase the makerspace profile and chances for long-term success. Sources that have been used for funding include Indie-GoGo, a crowd-funding website, construction grants and innovation grants.
The dynamic YOUmedia lab at Chicago's Harold Washington Library was created through a partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and the Pearson Foundation.
The dynamic YOUmedia lab at Chicago's Harold Washington Library was created through a partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and the Pearson Foundation.