A great idea! Some other hardware to consider: Raspberry Pi alternative: Beagle Bone Black
Further Arduino support: Gemma (smaller version of FLORA) Various breakout boards (GPS, GSM, LCD, etc.) Sensors Servos For helping teach/interest younger folks: Snap Circuits littleBits For larger setups: 3D Printer CNC machine Welding Lamenator? I think the real key is being able to offer support for all of the tools offered, both in terms of justification (why is this a useful thing for a makerspace) and actual use. If no one at the tool library is familiar with a particular offering, then it probably shouldn't be offered until you've got a chance to learn up on it. Is there an intent to differentiate between tools and supplies? Would supplies be sent out, understanding that they're unlikely to be returned, or would the borrowing institution need to stock up on their own, following a set of recommendations from the lending library? Or perhaps any set of supplies would be bundled up as a kit along with the tool, and the borrowing institution would be charged for any lost bits upon return... -Ian -----Original Message----- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Edward Iglesias Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 3:33 PM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] Tool Library 2.0 Hello All, A colleague and I were recently asked to help create a "tool library for makerspaces" for a local state library consortia. The idea being they would lend out kits such as Arduino's with breadboards to libraries that are thinking of setting up some kind of makerspace but unsure where to start. So any of you have any "must haves" for such a collection. I'm thinink soldering irons arduinos Raspberry Pis Flora breadboards lots of connectors leds etc... Thanks, Edward Iglesias
