What first interested you in makerspaces?
Audrey: I think all of us had been working in libraries for several years, just in other departments. I started to see some of the makerspaces crop up, and I really loved public libraries as an environment. I liked interacting with the public and felt like I was part of the community—I enjoyed that. I’m also sort of a creative person, and it seemed like a really natural fit. A makerspace was a way to incorporate my interest in creativity and making stuff and interacting with the public—merging two worlds.
Ariel: Yes, it was the same for me. I saw the opportunity to use my unique set of skills, and there aren’t a lot of other places to do that. It’s difficult to find a job that fits my skills as an animation major. I was working in the Circulation department at another library and saw a job posting for a Maker Associate and thought, I can do that!
Caleb: I’m the same way—I like to make things. I actually just made a diorama over the weekend, just for fun. I like working with the public, I’ve been in multiple different departments here at the library, and I enjoy it. I like working at the library, and I like makerspaces, because you get to be so creative and create all sorts of really cool stuff.
Do you have a favorite machine in The Workshop?
Ariel: It’s like picking a child for me, like I can’t pick my favorite child. They’re all so fun.
Audrey: I have a favorite child—the laser. It’s so versatile and you can do so much with it. You can engrave flat things, obviously, like cutting boards or glasses. But you can also construct 3D things. Caleb is making a dresser—and you can make jewelry. Someone came in and used the laser to cut out parts for a little model rocket! It has something for everyone.
Ariel: Engraving specifically is really easy for people to get their hands on and see. The laser is not a scary tool to use, which is really important; some things can look really intimidating.
Caleb: I’m torn between the laser and the 3D printer, because you can make a bunch of really cool stuff on the 3D printer. We have a lot of 3D printed things on display in The Workshop.
Audrey: You can make functional things.
Caleb: I made a bunch of cookie cutters—fun, functional.
Why is it important for public libraries to have makerspaces?
Caleb: Booking time in The Workshop lets you “check out” the equipment and use it in the space— it’s a free resource.
Ariel: Having a makerspace at the library means that people don’t need to buy and store items they use infrequently. So the borrowing system is really beneficial, and we have the space to store it for people.
Audrey: And we do the maintenance on it, too.
Caleb: Not everyone has money to invest in equipment like a sewing machine or an embroidery machine to use only a few times each year and then have it sit in the corner.
Audrey: The books at the library promote professional and personal development and growth and leisure activities. The equipment in The Workshop also enables those goals. People with small businesses and artists come in and use the equipment to make things or test out equipment to see if it’s worth investing in.
Ariel: We also have people who make one-off items for birthday presents, which is really fun, too. They’re learning new skills just to do this one thing!
Audrey: Most of the equipment in The Workshop requires basic digital literacy—basic software skills. Some equipment has specific software that extends those skills. Users can apply those skills to other career or hobby interests.
Caleb: One of my favorite things about working in the makerspace is seeing the big smiles on people’s faces when they finish their project. To see someone go through the stages of not knowing how to use a piece of equipment, to using the equipment, to gaining confidence and getting it done—it’s very empowering!
Audrey: Someone told me they were so happy the makerspace was here because it can be intimidating to learn new skills as an adult. The Workshop is a place where you can acquire new skills, put them into practice, and take home tangible results!
