The Maker Library Network (MLN) was initially commissioned for the British Council’s Connect ZA season, to connect designers and makers in the UK and South Africa. The Maker Library Network concept was created and developed by Daniel Charny and From Now On in collaboration with the British Council. In 2017, the British Council stepped back from its involvement in the project yet Maker Libraries continue to run across the world.

A Maker Library provides the framework to programme events and projects in order to strengthen connections and open-up a maker-space or studio to the local community, connect to members of the international Network, and communicate with the general public.

The Maker Library Network offered participants support through means of a toolkit and resources, as well as opportunities for mentoring and travel, exposure and collaborations. Each Maker Library is led by a maker (Maker Librarian) who is interested in fostering creative, social thinking and learning through making by running a programme of activities and workshops in their space. As an active member of the MLN community, the librarian has an opportunity to contribute, connect and learn with like-minded people. Librarians adapt the MLN principles for their local environment, location and objectives; whether in their studio, a makerspace, or a mobile vehicle.

The programme was developed in collaboration between the British Council's Architecture Design Fashion & Creative Economy teams. 

This website showcases the activities of the Maker Library Network from 2014 – 2017 but does not represent the current status of the project which is now run independently by members of the Maker Library Network.

#MakerLibraries