Did you know that the Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is the place to check out books, music, movies and more items? But did you know you can create things such as vinyls, 3D models, and posters, by using our Makerspace, too?
What exactly is a Makerspace? In a literal sense, it’s a place where customers can use various crafting materials and/or technology such as 3D printers and laser cutters.
But beyond that, a Makerspace is a transformative place of creation. “Makerspaces are enabling libraries to transform their relationships with communities and to empower community members of all ages to be creators of information, not just consumers,” said former American Library Association (ALA) president Barbara Stripling. In addition to creating fun decorations and gifts, Makerspaces have been used to innovate by customers like entrepreneurs to produce prototypes for their small businesses, and by college students to uncover something new while completing capstone projects.
If you want to take a live look at some of APLD’s Makerspace tools, tune into our upcoming program, Tuesday Tech: Creating a Sign for Your Room, Tuesday, July 20 at 5 p.m.. Customers can join in through Facebook Live without registering! To participate through Zoom, registering at aurorapubliclibrary.org/events is required.
During the program, APLD Digital Services Assistant George Coronado will demonstrate how to use the Makerspace’s vinyl and laser cutters. These are the same tools and processes that have been used to create some of the signs you see at your APLD branch!
In addition to the vinyl and laser cutters that will be explored in Creating a Sign for Your Room, the Makerspace has many other tools that have been covered in previous programs.
In June, APLD’s Digital Services team presented A (Re-)Introduction to the Makerspace, Expressing Your Creativity with Maker Tech and Tuesday Tech: Creating a Fun, Personalized Vinyl Decal. Tuesday of last week, the team covered 3D printing in Tuesday Tech: Introduction to 3D Printing. Similar to many APLD virtual programs, these programs are still viewable on our Facebook page (@APLibraryIL) and YouTube channel (Aurora Public Library District, IL) even though the event has ended!
After attending Tuesday Tech: Creating a Sign for Your Room and watching some of the Makerspace’s other virtual programs, why not make an appointment to visit in person and create something yourself? Since the Makerspace’s May 10 reopening, many customers have done just that. “There have been quite a few customers with 3D prints and engravings,” Coronado reported on the Makerspace’s reopening success.
To learn more about the Makerspace and make an appointment, please visit our Makerspace page: aurorapubliclibrary.org/makerspace-4308.
We can’t wait to help you create and innovate at the Makerspace!