Imagining the Future Makerspace at Biblioteca Camp de l’Arpa
make-a-thek is project aiming at creating maker spaces in public libraries to explore circular fashion, traditional crafts, and local innovation.
Not every Friday morning looks like a room full of people genuinely interested and engaged in co-creating a new makerspace. But on 17th October 2025, Fab Lab Barcelona hosted exactly that: a friendly, inspiring session filled with creativity, collaboration, and new ideas.
Organized in collaboration with OpenDot Foundation, the morning centered on interactive activities and group co-design sessions to explore the future makerspace of Biblioteca Camp de l’Arpa through the Make-a-Thek approach.
Make-a-Thek is an EU-funded project that brings modular, easily replicable makerspaces into public libraries, focusing on fashion, crafts, and circular innovation. These spaces offer tools, courses, and resources to foster community creativity, local production, and sustainable practices.
What began as simple questions soon sparked surprising insights about what a library and a makerspace can be. Participants challenged old assumptions, recognizing that traditional thinking belongs in the past. Post-its filled with ideas reflected fresh perspectives on both spaces, highlighting their shared purpose as places to explore, create, and learn.
The day unfolded through dynamic group exercises:
- The Future Newspaper: Participants imagined what the library could become in five years, exploring potential activities, programming, and the value of the space. This exercise set a forward-looking tone, encouraging participants to dream big and helping begin the translation of vision into action.
- Mapping the Makerspace: Using cards, scaled models, and 3D miniatures, participants explored how a fashion- and textile-focused makerspace could integrate into the dedicated space at the library. Discussions focused on accessibility, spatial layout, multifunctional potential, and the challenges each machine presents. This hands-on exercise helped the group understand and prioritize the community’s needs and desires.
The Make-a-Thek pilot in Barcelona is off to a promising start. Thanks to the enthusiasm and imagination of all participants, the future of this space is already rich with ideas, curiosity, and shared inspiration.
This workshop was part of the two-day Making (in) Commons event. Read more here