Last weekend, Susan and I visited one of our local metro libraries. You already know libraries lend books, and probably knew they also have CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks, but did you know they have an entire makerspace full of tools available free for public use?
Susan wanted to visit the Bethany Library (part of Oklahoma City’s Metropolitan Library System) to look into reserving a room, and while there we got a quick tour of the library’s makerspace. We had seen the space once before when the library was remodeled a couple of years ago, but we wanted to see what it looked like and how it has evolved now that it’s open for business.
The first thing I noticed when entering the makerspace were the library’s three 3D printers. The tubs underneath the table are filled with filament of different colors. Using the 3D printers is completely free — you don’t even have to pay for the filament, although I can’t imagine not leaving a few bucks if I printed something gigantic. To the right and behind the 3D printers is a Cricut Maker and another Cricut device for making iron-on t-shirts. Use of the Cricut is free, but I think you have to bring your own material. To the left of the 3D printers are two computers with the entire Adobe suite installed. There is also a ton of recording gear to record audio and video. There are iPads, cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, green screens… you name it. All free to use.
If all that equipment sounds intimidating, here’s some good news. When you reserve the room, you also reserve a library employee who is trained on all the equipment! With zero knowledge of 3D printing, you can reserve the room and an employee will help you download 3D models from places like Thingiverse and print them out for free. Kids wanting to make their own videos will be shown how to use the cameras and green screen and will learn how to do it, too. The entry bar for creating cool stuff has never been lower.
Susan plans to start occasionally reserving rooms at the library for meetings as she continues to grow her business (a change of environment is always a good way to refresh your brain and approach things from a different angle). Maybe the next time she does I’ll tag along and do some 3D printing or podcast recording at the library at the same time!
That is really soemthing, Flack. I think one of the public libraries here in San Antonio has a 3D printer.
That is really something, Flack. I think one of the public libraries here in San Antonio has a 3D printe. I have to check it out.