TIMMINS - Whether it’s podcasting, sewing, robotics, or 3D printing, the library has what young people need to get creative.
The Makerspace is offering a sneak peek of what is in store at the main branch of the Timmins Public Library on today (Oct. 23) and tomorrow, and librarian Shannon Carnahan said the staff can’t wait to see what people come up with.
“The whole concept is that the equipment itself can be too expensive for the average person to buy, so the library is going to provide that and the space to do it in,” said Carnahan.
The makerspace offers training and access to teens and young adults with a library card in good standing.
The materials needed to use some of the equipment are also available at the library.
The funding for the space is focused on teens and young adults but there is hope they will be able to open it up to everyone eventually.
“That’s going to be the focus at first,” said Carnahan.
This week's opening is a preview for when the space will have its grand opening early next year, but there’s already some excitement, especially around the new 3D printer that will be taking over from the library’s older model.
“It’s about a decade old at this point, so recognizing this is getting old, we wanted to get a new one,” said Carnahan, “So we’re going to be using up our remaining filament for that one before it gets retired and we move to this much better, faster, quieter, easy to use model.”
Those who want to use the equipment will have to take part in a training session to learn how to use the device they’re interested in ahead of time.
Books about film-making, cosplay, jewelry making and more are also available in the space, whether people need inspiration for projects or just to learn more about the craft they’re participating in.
Once the space is officially open, there will be classes on-site.
“We also want to teach life skills, like sewing pockets into things,” said Carnahan. “That’s one of the first things I want to do.”
The makerspace was partly funded by a donation from Branimir “Branko” Vidmar, a City of Timmins employee who died in 2005.
“He didn’t have any family, so he left his entire estate to the city and the library,” said Carnahan.
Tours of the space will be happening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct.24 and 25 at the main branch of the Timmins Public Library on Second Avenue
