Allen County Public Library reveals new vision for Maker Labs | Local | journalgazette.net

Senior reporter / Education

The Allen County Public Library announced Monday a new vision for its decade-old Maker Labs – spaces featuring such equipment as 3D printers, audio-video recording devices and craft machines.

The programs, which span five library sites, will be rebranded under the systemwide banner of The Studios at the Library, Executive Director Susan Baier said during an afternoon news conference at the Pontiac branch.

“We are extending our commitment to the maker spirit of innovation and creativity with an increased investment of space, staff and funding in the coming years,” Baier said. “That begins with a systemwide rebrand that embraces the full breadth of what our new spaces will be – thriving, energizing hubs for content creators, audio-visual artists, tech entrepreneurs and makers of all kinds.”

The library’s 2024-28 strategic plan calls for expanding Maker Lab services along with enhancing partnerships and library support for small businesses and entrepreneurs, Baier said.

A grant of $122,213 from the Don Wood Foundation will help the library purchase new laptops for all Studio locations along with a laser cutting-engraving machine, 3D printers and STEM project kits for the main library, the release said. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. The dollars will also fund a research trip to learn from similar work at labs nationwide.

Laura Macknick, foundation president and CEO, said the private entity is thrilled about the availability of 3D printers, virtual reality equipment, robotics and STEM technology. She highlighted the potential effect such amenities could have.

“Through the recent research that we’ve been doing at the Don Wood Foundation, we know that there are many high-demand, high-wage jobs in these fields going unfulfilled,” Macknick said, referencing the Advancing Postsecondary Education and Training Study released last week. “Maybe this will be just the spark of creativity that it takes to set youth and adults in our community on pathways towards some of those opportunities.”

The first Maker Labs opened in spring 2014 at the main library downtown and the Georgetown branch. The number of visitors quickly increased from 900 in the first six months to more than 1,200 monthly, said Beth Boatwright, the library’s director of community partnerships and programs.

This year, the library expanded programming to Mini Maker Labs at the Hessen Cassel, Pontiac and Shawnee branches. Boatwright said those locations have attracted more than 2,000 visitors.

“It’s not just exploration for the sake of exploration,” Boatwright said. “These spaces support hands-on learning, real-world application and the innovative spirit that artists and entrepreneurs need to make their dreams a reality.”

Construction recently began at the downtown location to transform the former Dunkin’ Donuts space into the flagship Maker Lab’s new home, Baier said. The area is near the library’s east entrance and has been vacant since 2019.

The library announced the project last month.

“When it’s finished, we’ll more than double our space for our existing equipment and services,” Baier said. “Plus, we’ll have expanded programming and new services, such as a state-of-the-art podcast booth. That’s another popular request we’re glad to respond to.”

Aja Michael-Keller, the library’s director of communications, said the estimated construction budget is $280,000. The release indicated it is funded by the library’s capital projects budget, and the space is expected to open early next year.

The library hasn’t decided how it will use the existing downtown Maker space once it moves to the renovated area, Michael-Keller said.

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At a glance

Allen County Public Library will move its downtown Maker Lab into a renovated space previously occupied by Dunkin’ Donuts. This flagship facility, which will be under the systemwide banner of The Studios at the Library, is expected to feature these amenities:

• 3D printing and scanning services

• DVD/VHS conversion tools

• Vinyl cutting equipment

• Podcast recording booth

• Vocal recording booth

Go to acpl.info/maker-labs for information about the library’s Maker Labs, programs and equipment.

The Allen County Public Library on Tuesday announced it is devoting more space, staff and other support for its Maker Labs.

Senior reporter / Education