The local library received a generous donation from a family in the village years ago and was able to create a maker-studio in their basement. I've not been to other maker spaces, but I appreciate the thoroughness of the layout and workflow:

WNPL-Studio.jpg

Pull any available notebook PC from their charging cart (or iMac stations) & enter the user's library card number (no previous setup necessary) This leads to a session featuring anything from the Adobe Suite, Lynda.com training access, Corel Draw, etc

After loading, tweaking, editing a project, send it to the library's


  • - LulzBot FDM 3D Printer
  • - Epilog Laser Cutter/Engraver
  • - Vinyl Cutter
  • - Computer-controlled Embroidery Machine
  • - Wide-format Color Printer

According to a brief chat with one of the stewards, their 3D printer fleet initially consisted of several MakerBots and even the MakerBot Digitizer 3D scanner. The MakerBot reputation caught up to it as all these units are now non-functioning or at the very least ill-functioning and are better suited to collecting dust.

3D prints get charged according to the weight of the finished piece and their machine is more often than not running something when I stop in there. I visit only to use their Laser Cutter until the GlowForge arrives. Laser cuts are free provided the material brought in is clear of the prohibited materials list.

The library routinely offers classes that center on the 3D printer for various age groups of its patrons. Kids classes might involve using TinkerCad to 3D print keychains or cookie-cutters while the teen/adult class aims to 3D print model buildings.

It's heartening to see a community space being used for the next level of learning.