Bernardsville Library to Join NJ Makers Day 2015

The maker movement in the United States isn’t just a hobby; it’s having a significant impact on school curriculum development and growing local economies. To celebrate making and maker culture, residents throughout New Jersey will come together on Saturday, March 21, 2015 in libraries, schools, museums, homes, and other community locations for the first annual NJ Makers Day.

NJ Makers Day is designed to be a statewide single-day event that celebrates, promotes, and in many cases may introduce maker culture, as well as the values associated with making, tinkering and STEM-based learning. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment in occupations related to STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and mathematics -- is projected to grow to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022. That’s an increase of about 1 million jobs."

Maker spaces across the state are having a significant impact on education and job skills development by providing access to people, information, resources, and tools that facilitate making to a wide variety of skill levels. Popular equipment in these spaces include 3D printers, single board microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi, robotics, digital media production, computer programming, textile and handicrafts and more.

“We are delighted to be able to bring this type of programming to the Bernardsville  community,” said April Judge, Bernardsville Library's Director. “We are committed to finding ways to help people to learn new skills and to work collaboratively on exciting hands-on projects. Bernardsville Library is proud to be a participating site for the first ever New Jersey Makers Day on March 21, 2015! Community members of all ages are invited to join us for an exciting day filled with activities focusing on maker culture."

There is no charge to attend, and no sign-up is needed.  Just drop in! Maker Day at Bernardsville Public Library will be open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 21. A variety of displays, exhibits and interactive activities are planned ranging from squishy circuits and makey makey to origami, painting, and printmaking.

For more information, please contact Madelyn English at 908-766-0118 or visit the library website, www.bernardsvillelibrary.org. Find out more about NJ Makers Day at www.njmakersday.org.