Public library launches Makerspace initiative

By Lethbridge Herald on October 10, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman The Lethbridge Public Library has launched a collection of items that members can borrow while in the library to express themselves creatively with the help of a cricut machine, a sawing machine, a 3D printer and a hot press.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

The Lethbridge Pubic Library has launched its Library of Things and Makerspace, where library members can borrow items other than books, to help them express themselves in creative ways. 

Jonathan Jarvie, resource sharing librarian said this week that the library of things is a collection of items that people can take home and the Makerspace is a space dedicated for people to work collaboratively or individually on different projects and use equipment that they might not have readily available at home. 

“The items in the library of things can go out for one week, some things two weeks and everything in the makerspace has to stay within the library as it’s permanent equipment,” said Jarvie. 

He said there is a variety of items in the library of things, that range from sports equipment like snowshoes, walking poles and a rope for tug of war to equipment such as telescopes, a projector and screen. 

“Basically, anything that people might not be able to have readily available in their homes but that they can borrow from the library,” said Jarvie. 

He said the library initially started the physical literacy collection around five to six years ago which was mainly sports equipment that was kept in the children’s library. 

“We were seeing an increased demand for other items, not just the sports equipment, so we decided this year to really start to build on that and it’s a theme that some other libraries have started, so we thought we’d get ahead of the game with them and get the collection going,” said Jarvie. 

The Makerspace is offering a variety of tools including sewing machines, a Cricut cutting machine, a heat press and a 3-D printer. 

This new resource will be accessible to the public by signing up for a Makerspace program.

And in the Library of Things, members can borrow equipment for recreation and hobbies such as a fishing kit, binoculars, a karaoke machine, a knitting machine and more. 

Items cannot be placed on hold, but library members can call the library to set aside an item for same-day pickup.

Jarvie said all the items in both the Library of Things and the Makerspace have been purchased by the library but they are willing to accept gently used items to add to their collection. 

“We established a separate fund line for purchasing for that collection. Although we are accepting some donations of items that are in good use. We actually have somebody who is going to donate an ice cream maker,” said Jarvie. 

He said if anyone has items they wish to donate to the library for use in either the Library of Things or the Makerspace, to contact him or any librarian and they will make the proper arrangements. 

The City of Lethbridge is celebrating Circular Economy Month in Octover and having these items available through the library, gives members the opportunity to borrow and share existing equipment that is needed infrequently instead of buying new. 

This helps save money and reduce waste.

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