Maker Space Guide - Main Library - 28 hours per week

As a Maker Space Guide at the Allen County Public Library, your primary responsibilities will include designing and facilitating workshops and educational activities in our Maker Lab/Space, engaging with community members to foster creativity, and ensuring that the space is orderly and welcoming. You will play a crucial role in delivering top-quality customer service and promoting STEAM and STEM education.

To be considered for the Maker Space Guide position at Allen County Public Library, you will need a Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in technology instruction or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Additionally, a valid driver's license is a requirement.

The Maker Space Guide role at Allen County Public Library is a part-time position, requiring 28 hours a week. The work schedule includes days, evenings, and weekends, offering flexibility while allowing you to engage with the community at various times.

Starting pay for the Maker Space Guide position at the Allen County Public Library is $19.34 per hour, with potential increases based on related experience. Benefits for part-time employees include options for health insurance, a Flexible Spending Account, three weeks of vacation accrual, sick leave, and various voluntary insurance options.

The Allen County Public Library is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment. In the Maker Space Guide role, you'll be encouraged to bring your unique perspective, and the library actively promotes applications from individuals from marginalized groups. This approach ensures that everyone feels welcome and can contribute to a community-focused mission.

When answering this question, highlight your specific experiences teaching technology or leading interactive workshops. Discuss any tools or methods you've successfully implemented, emphasizing how you've engaged diverse groups of learners in a library or educational setting.

In your response, detail your organizational strategies, such as regular clean-up schedules, labeling systems, and encouraging user responsibilities. Emphasize your understanding of the importance of a tidy environment in fostering creativity and safety.

Discuss your approach to designing workshops that cater to various age levels by incorporating different activities that meet learners’ needs. Mention how you would encourage collaboration and make the sessions interactive to ensure everyone feels included.

Share a specific example where you designed a program, detailing the planning process, execution, and outcomes. Highlight any feedback received and how you measured success, which showcases your ability to create effective educational experiences.

Your answer should reflect your beliefs about the transformative power of libraries. Discuss the role libraries play in providing access to information, technology, and community engagement, showcasing your passion for the mission aligned with the Maker Space Guide position.

Identify potential challenges, such as balancing user expectations with instructional goals, and outline proactive strategies for overcoming these challenges, demonstrating your ability to adapt and problem-solve in real-world situations.

Discuss outreach strategies you’d employ, such as collaborating with local schools, offering incentives for participation, or utilizing social media to raise awareness. Highlight any relevant experience that reflects your passion for community engagement.

When answering, explain the significance of integrating art and music with traditional STEM subjects. Emphasize your familiarity with current trends in STEAM education and how this knowledge would enhance your role as a Maker Space Guide.

Detail a calm, professional approach to addressing the situation by reminding the patron of the guidelines and gently encouraging compliance. Discuss your ability to maintain a supportive atmosphere while ensuring safety and order.

Share your aspirations for this role, whether it's fostering innovation, expanding community access to STEAM education, or generating positive feedback from patrons. This reflection will demonstrate your commitment to making a meaningful impact at ACPL.