Makerpalooza 2026

Keynote: No Assembly Required: Building welcome and belonging in library makerspaces

Makerspaces have proven to be a core service of libraries, but studies show that these spaces can be intimidating, especially for new patrons. Every patron should feel welcome in library makerspaces and fully supported in whatever they create there. The good news is that libraries already have many of the tools needed for this important work. This keynote discusses leveraging the knowledge libraries already possess for creating patron-centered spaces, and presents practical strategies for building more welcoming and inclusive makerspaces. Because developing equitable and empowering makerspaces requires change at every level, we will address approaches across programming, staff training, outreach, community partnerships, and even the design of physical spaces. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the equity challenges facing library makerspaces today, and will leave with grounded, immediately applicable strategies to begin addressing them at their own institutions.

Speaker: Sarah Nagle

Ballroom A – Beyond the Buzz: Technology Trends Every Library Should Be Watching

Brian Pichman

Artificial intelligence may dominate the headlines, but it’s only one piece of a rapidly evolving technology landscape. This fast-paced session explores the emerging technologies, gadgets, and maker tools that are transforming libraries and the communities they serve. From affordable creation tools and immersive technologies to automation, digital creativity, and the latest consumer tech, we’ll separate meaningful innovation from passing fads.

Along the way, you’ll see live demonstrations of exciting new technologies, learn which trends are worth your attention, and discover practical ideas you can implement regardless of your library’s size or budget. Whether you’re planning your next technology purchase or simply trying to stay ahead of what’s coming next, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and plenty of inspiration.

Ballroom B – “Your Makerspace needs a People Counter” – and other tips to Maximize Data-Driven Decision Making

Brittney Merryweather
Tracking occupancy statistics at the University of Florida’s Marston Makerspace has been a game changer. Collecting data from current users, potential users, faculty, and more has also led to incredible collaborations, outreach and engagement opportunities, ultimately tailoring the makerspace to our specific userbase. This session explores how the Marston Makerspace has optimized data collection to successfully acquire additional funding and resources, expand reach beyond the makerspace walls, and increase overall participation in maker activities. Always being at capacity is a problem we are proud to have!

Participants of this session will leave with concrete ideas for collecting and applying data in their own makerspaces to identify barriers to participation, understand user needs, improve accessibility, and more!

Ballroom C – Introduction to Sublimation for Library Makerspaces

Brian Reagh
This introductory session will provide an overview of the sublimation process and explore why it has become a popular, versatile addition to library makerspaces. Participants will learn about the equipment, materials, and startup costs needed to launch a sublimation program, along with practical tips for managing patron appointments, classes, and cost recovery.

The session will include a live demonstration that walks through the complete sublimation process—from creating a design to producing a finished project—giving attendees a firsthand look at the workflow. Whether you’re just beginning to explore makerspace offerings or looking to expand your existing services, you’ll leave with practical ideas and inspiration for implementing sublimation programming in libraries of all sizes.

Pelican A & B

Technology Playground – (ongoing)

Osprey A

Chauntee Pitts
3D printing doesn’t have to be complicated! In this hands-on session, participants will explore the basics of 3D design and printing while taking on a fun, library-inspired design challenge. Create a simple 3D model, see the MakerBot Sketch Sprint in action, and discover creative ways to bring 3D printing into your library or makerspace.

Osprey B – Cricut for Beginners — Personalized Notebooks

Diana Silveira
New to Cricut? Start here. We’ll walk through the Cricut Design Center from scratch — setting up projects, working with images and text, and prepping cut files — while you design and build a custom notebook cover to take home. By the end, you’ll be comfortable navigating Design Center on your own — ready for whatever project comes next.

Ballroom A – AI That Actually Helps: Practical Ways to Use and Implement Artificial Intelligence in Your Library

Brian Pichman
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming one of the most valuable tools available to library professionals, but only if you know how to use it effectively. In this practical session, we’ll move beyond the hype to explore real-world ways AI can improve everyday library work, from writing and research to marketing, programming, customer service, and administrative tasks.

Through live demonstrations and prompt-writing techniques, participants will discover time-saving workflows, recommended AI tools, and best practices for using AI responsibly while protecting patron privacy. You’ll leave with practical ideas you can start using the moment you return to your library.

Ballroom B – Co-weaving as Community: A collaborative expression through fiber

Sarah Nagle
Research has shown that creative making activities positively impact mental health and well-being, and that collaborative making deepens these benefits while fostering interpersonal connection. This hands-on workshop brings together makerspace workers across library types to create a collaborative textile project, using beginner-friendly techniques. Participants will have the opportunity to express their experiences and feelings about makerspace work through color, texture, pattern, and technique. Through the co-creation of textile, participants will also create shared meaning as a group. The resulting textile will serve as both a personal and collective artifact, a tangible record of shared experience that fosters reduced stress, stronger identity, and community well-being in the library makerspace landscape.

Ballroom C – Introduction to Sublimation for Library Makerspaces

Brian Reagh
This introductory session will provide an overview of the sublimation process and explore why it has become a popular, versatile addition to library makerspaces. Participants will learn about the equipment, materials, and startup costs needed to launch a sublimation program, along with practical tips for managing patron appointments, classes, and cost recovery.

The session will include a live demonstration that walks through the complete sublimation process—from creating a design to producing a finished project—giving attendees a firsthand look at the workflow. Whether you’re just beginning to explore makerspace offerings or looking to expand your existing services, you’ll leave with practical ideas and inspiration for implementing sublimation programming in libraries of all sizes.

Pelican A & B

Technology Playground – (ongoing)

Osprey A – Print Happens: 3D Printing for Libraries

Chauntee Pitts
3D printing doesn’t have to be complicated! In this hands-on session, participants will explore the basics of 3D design and printing while taking on a fun, library-inspired design challenge. Create a simple 3D model, see the MakerBot Sketch Sprint in action, and discover creative ways to bring 3D printing into your library or makerspace.

Osprey B – Cricut for Beginners — Vintage Hotel Keys

Diana Silveira
New to Cricut? Start here. We’ll walk through the Cricut Design Center from scratch — setting up projects, working with images and text, and prepping cut files — while you design and build a vintage-style hotel key to take home. By the end, you’ll be comfortable navigating Design Center on your own — ready for whatever project comes next.

Pelican A & B

Technology Playground – (ongoing)

Ballroom A, B, C

Lightning Rounds

Pelican A & B

Technology Playground – (ongoing)

Ballroom A – From Prompt to Product: Building Your Own AI Tools Without Being a Programmer

Brian Pichman
Using AI is one thing…creating your own AI-powered tools is another. The good news? You no longer need to be a software developer to build practical solutions for your library.

This session introduces the growing world of custom AI assistants, chatbots, automations, and workflows that can be created using today’s no-code and low-code platforms. We’ll demonstrate how libraries can build AI tools that answer local questions, assist staff, generate content, streamline repetitive tasks, and improve patron services—all without writing complex code.

Participants will leave with a roadmap for getting started, an understanding of the platforms available today, and the confidence to begin building AI solutions tailored specifically to their own library’s needs.

Ballroom B – What’s the Plan? Supporting Makers with the Basics and Beyond

Brittney Merryweather
Makerspace programming often excels at introductory activities that get people started, but what happens after that? Many patrons get stuck when they want to move into more complex design but aren’t sure how to take the next step. There is limited guidance for library makerspace practitioners on how to support makers at various levels of engagement with design. So, what do we do?

In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to design programming that reduces common barriers, such as difficulty with ideation, resource decisions, and access to feedback, across various forms of making. We will discuss specific activity types and supports that help patrons jump in at any level. Participants will leave with concrete examples and strategies to help patrons move beyond beginner projects and stay engaged in more advanced design.

Ballroom C – Create, Print, Wow

Vik Patel and Brian Reagh
Patrons come to your library to learn. Imagine they also come to create something they’ve never made before. Sublimation makes that possible. One press. One transfer. One patron who tells everyone they know. Vik Patel of Craft Express and Brian Reagh of Boynton Beach City Library show you what a sublimation program looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders. The projects. The process. The results. No equipment is required to attend. No experience is required to start. Just the next big idea for your library. And we’re not just talking about it. In this session, you’ll watch a personalized book cover come to life on a tea towel, start to finish. Then head to the main floor and make your own custom mousepad to take home

Pelican A & B

Technology Playground – (ongoing)

Osprey A – The Great 3D Print Rescue

Chauntee Pitts
3When a 3D print goes wrong, the fun isn’t over—it’s time to investigate! In this hands-on session, participants will examine real print fails, experiment with simple design and print settings, and discover how small changes can lead to better prints. Come ready to troubleshoot, experiment, and rescue some 3D prints!

Osprey B – Advanced Cricut: Mastering Layers & Complex Designs

Diana Silveira
Ready to move beyond the basics? Explore advanced Cricut techniques with a focus on layered and multi-piece designs. Learn how to work with multiple layers, align and assemble design elements, manage more complex projects in Cricut Design Space, and turn individual pieces into polished finished creations. Perfect for makers who are comfortable with Cricut basics and ready to take on more detailed designs.

Ballroom A, B, C