The old movie area is getting a new purpose. The glass room on the east end of the main floor is being transformed into a Creation Station: a makerspace where our community can gather to create, innovate, and explore. New flooring, paint, and furniture have been added while additional equipment and supplies are being purchased for the space. And it all rolled out May 29.
You might ask, what exactly is a makerspace? It’s a place where people with shared ideas and interests can gather to work on projects while sharing equipment and knowledge. If you put a wood shop, a metal shop, a computer lab, arts and crafts, electronics, and a bunch of tools all under one roof, you’d have a makerspace.
A perfect example of the many ways our community can work together, the Creation Station will be a flexible workspace for individuals and small groups to share STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) supplies and equipment to bring their inventions and creations to life. In addition, the space will be used to enhance and expand the Library’s existing programs for all ages with hands-on STEAM-related workshops and projects to support learning, inspire creativity, and nurture opportunities for the next entrepreneur, inventor, or artist to emerge.
Just some of the many pieces of software and equipment that will be free and open to the public include Adobe Creative Cloud, Carvey 3D carver, Cricut Maker, laminator, sewing machine, serger, and embroidery machine. Kids will have access to a variety of STEAM-related toys and equipment such as a Q-Ba Maze, Cubelets, Snap Circuits, Think and Learn Code-a-Pillar, and LEGOs.
Some current programs such as the Adult Coloring Club will be held in the Creation Station while new programs like “Meeting the Sewing Machine and Serger,” “Meet the Embroidery Machine,” “Meet the Carvey,” and “Meet the Cricut Maker” will introduce the public to the exciting, free-to-use equipment.
And it gets better. Rolling out in September, the Glowforge—a wireless computer numerical control laser cutter engraver—uses laser cutter and engraver technology to shape wood, leather, felt, fabric, acrylic, paper, and more. The Glowforge is the opposite of a 3D printer. It uses subtractive manufacturing while traditional 3D printers use additive manufacturing. A 3D printer builds up material, like plastic filament, layer by layer. With Glowforge, users put a piece of material like leather, wood, or acrylic in the machine, and it carves out a product using laser light. In addition to being compatible with dozens of types of design software, users can select designs from the Glowforge catalog or draw directly on the material, where the Glowforge can scan it.
To learn more about the Creation Station, including hours of operation, the cost of materials, upcoming programs, policies, FAQs, and equipment information and availability, please visit natronacountylibrary.org/creationstation.
The Creation Station was made possible with funding from the Natrona County Library Foundation, Friends of the Natrona County Library, Kelley Foundation, Wyoming Community Foundation’s McMurry Library Endowment, Ruth R. Ellbogen Foundation, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, and Hooks, Stitch, and Tea.
The Library’s Creation Station opened May 29. A grand opening ceremony and public demonstration will be held mid-June. The staff would like to extend their gratitude and thankfulness to Blakeman Vacuum and Sewing for providing training.
Betsy O’Neil is the adult services manager and Nathan McGregor is the marketing and public relations manager at the library.