Media Advisory
January 5, 2017
"Free to Make: How the Maker Movement is Changing Our Schools, Our Jobs, and Our Minds"
WHAT: Celebrated author, Dale Dougherty, will discuss his newest book “Free to Make,” an insightful look into the growing “Maker Movement” taking place across the globe and how a renewed interest in creating, inventing and experimenting just for the pleasure of it has resulted in the conception of remarkably innovative new products and services.
WHO: Born in Los Angeles and later raised in Louisville, KY, Dale Dougherty, founder and CEO of Maker Media, Inc. now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. An early creator and participant in the Maker Movement, Dougherty started MAKE:Magazine in 2005, a six-issue-per-year publication written for the DYI technology enthusiasts. One year after the introduction of MAKE:Magazine, Dougherty organized the first Maker Faire. Held at the San Mateo County Event Center in 2006, the Faire hosted over 100 exhibiting makers, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and competitions. This innovative, novel way of showcasing homegrown ingenuity resulted in igniting a new trend that encourages people of all ages to gather together in a creative and collaborative format for inventing and creating new products. By 2015, over 150 Maker Faires were held throughout the world, hosting more than 1.2 million attendees.
In 2014, Dougherty was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change,” an award given to Americans who are “doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.” The honor was bestowed upon him by President Barack Obama, who specifically noted Dougherty’s significant contributions to the fields of education and business. Dougherty is also co-founder of O’Reilly Media, an American media company best known for publishing trade books on computer technology topics.
WHEN/WHERE:
Sunday, January 15th, 2017
Milpitas Library Auditorium
2-3 p.m.
160 N. Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 262-1171ABOUT THE BOOK: Written by author Dale Dougherty, “Free to Make” takes a look into the surge of modern tinkerers, inventors, and creators across the nation who are joining in “The Maker Movement,” a worldwide movement encouraging children, teens, and adults to join in inventive, hands-on creative activities. His book discusses how today’s society has the opportunity to learn anything online through internet access and open-source software. He closely examines several startups and takes the reader through the steps needed for a startup to go from initial concept to product delivery, emphasizing how “Making” empowers a person to realize the inner creator, builder, and shaper within. In addition, “Free to Make” examines the influence maker workshops have had across the nation, providing attendees access to tools, supplies, and training, and discusses the benefits of incorporating Maker Faires into school curriculum to provide hands-on learning to young, inquisitive minds.
The event is free and open to the public. No reservations required. A thirty minute question and answer period will follow the presentation. The author will be available for book signings after the lecture, with copies of his book available for purchase at the event.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.
In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2016, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2016, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 270,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.1 million items, making it one of the most used resources in the region. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Chris Brown /Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3002/3014
