If the question was put to you, "What makes a MakerSpace a MakerSpace and what does it mean to you?" What would you answer?
Here is an answer from a friend, this is something that I found very appealing so I had to use it.
"To me, Makerspace is a collaborative movement designed around the open sharing of ideas and resources. It is a movement parallel to the existing system. As our current system deteriorates with high prices, underemployment, and resource depletion, the more people will try to do things locally with the help of community. It is a positive feedback loop. Makerspaces, hackerspaces, System D, and permiculture all provide an alternative, thus making the paradigm shift more seamless. Even sharing a "How To" video on Youtube is part of the movement, as is leaving advice on a forum. This movement is bigger than we can know and growing geometrically.
Someone once said that a paradigm is what you think about something, before you think about it. So, I think a paradigm shift must mean that something is happening to you before you realize it."
So the question goes out to you...
Optional... I am also wondering if a MakerSpace should have fees attached to it such as monthly and/or hourly rates or should it be a place where members could gather without a mandatory fee or hourly rate.
To me the financial side of a MakerSpace should be something as close to free as possible. A sliding scale monthly fee based on income at a shop that can house as many tools as possible would be a great start to pay for rent and other expenses. Donations would of course be encouraged... Ideas on how to pay for a space is welcome!