The idea itself isn’t new. The first recorded makerspace dedicated to sharing resources and education with everyday people dates back to 1821 at the Mechanics Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland. Since then, universities, businesses, and community organizations have experimented with ways to make tools, knowledge, and skills more widely accessible.
In 2011, the concept entered U.S. public libraries when the Fayetteville Free Library in New York became the first to offer a makerspace. Libraries, always evolving to meet local needs, have proven natural incubators for the movement. Beyond borrowing books, today’s rural patrons often check out hiking poles or fishing gear, attend after-school programs, or learn new skills in community workshops.
In Ignacio, Colorado, it all started with a modest experiment called “Maker Mondays.” The gatherings brought neighbors together around simple craft projects, which drew the attention of Ron Schermacher, a new staff member with a lifelong love of tinkering. “I’ve had a shop since 7th grade, and as I like to joke, half my name is ‘maker,’” he said. His research into makerspaces sparked an idea: Why not bring one to Ignacio? Soon, the Ignacio Community Library became the first in the region to offer a 3D printer to the public.
“As Ignacio is a small, ethnically diverse community, we wanted our citizens to have the same opportunities available to people in larger towns and cities,” Schermacher said. Curiosity and opportunity fueled growth, and the library committed to a permanent makerspace known as the IdeaLab.
(Photo courtesy of Ignacio Community Library)
Schermacher also shared how one young man, a regular visitor in the makerspace’s earliest days, returned last summer to announce his acceptance into Texas A&M’s engineering program. The student credited the library’s influence for helping set him on that path.
“The benefits of coming together around shared tools and knowledge for the youth who attend makerspace classes includes finding people with similar interests and forming friendships,” Schermacher said.
And for adults, the benefits are similar—building community, sharing skills that have taken years to acquire, and finding new hobbies they may not have had time or resources to pursue when they were younger.
“Everyone becomes more confident in navigating the complexities of this modern world knowing there are places where people meet to create, share experiences, and make positive outcomes,” Schermacher said.
Alongside the IdeaLab, Ignacio now hosts an internationally connected Repair Café, where neighbors fix and reuse items rather than discarding them. Schermacher hopes even more residents will take advantage of what he calls “a remarkable makerspace for a community this size.”
What’s happening in Ignacio reflects a larger rural trend. Hundreds of miles away in Nebraska, a makerspace supported by the Center for Rural Affairs is making its mark. Angelina Magerl, a Native Communities Associate with the Center, oversees the space in Walthill, near the heart of the Omaha Reservation.
“We have a lot of talented people in our community. I would love to see them not just using the makerspace but growing from it,” she said.
The space wasn’t always so accessible. Originally housed at Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, the equipment was stored in a closet and had to be hauled out for each use. Everything changed when an old counseling office became available in Walthill, 12 miles away. “In our area, space is very, very limited,” Magerl explained. So gaining this new one has been a game-changer.
(Photo courtesy of the Center for Rural Affairs)
That matters in a region where housing is tight and families often live in shared, multi-generational homes. For most people, it’s uncommon to have room for crafts, hobbies, or even the beginnings of a small business within their residence. “Having space for people to come and work on things like marketing tools or new products makes a big difference,” Magerl said.
Workshops at the makerspace often center on Native traditions. In preparation for the annual Sun Dance Ceremony, classes have included making dresses, shawls, and bandolier bags, while upcoming sessions will turn to bone beads, shells, and leatherwork. Local business owners and artisans frequently serve as instructors, which not only strengthens trust but also highlights the expertise already present within the community.
However, navigating tribal differences can be delicate. The makerspace sits on Omaha land, while Magerl herself is Winnebago. Some participants hesitate to learn designs or colors tied to another tribe’s traditions. But increasingly, young people have mixed heritage, and inviting a diverse roster of teachers helps bridge divides.
Magerl also sees potential for economic ripple effects in a county where poverty looms large. “We can help with a business plan and even lending services,” she said. “It’s about getting people to see the value in their own ideas and how they can benefit the community.”
From Colorado to Nebraska, makerspaces are proving how adaptive rural communities are and the many ways sharing skills and resources fit local needs. These spaces serve as launchpads for creativity and stand as reminders of abundance: ideas, insights, and neighbors ready to share them.
This story first appeared in the Daily Yonder. Read the original here.
