The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is pleased to announce the opening of its MakerSpace on Friday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m. with open hours set for Monday – Thursday 2:30–5:30 p.m.
MakerSpaces are the spaces and materials dedicated to knowledge sharing and content creation. The library will support access to and creation of information in the Whitewater community by providing a multifunctional MakerSpace including a Digital Media Lab and a Create It Lab.
In this participatory learning environment the library will provide instruction for each piece of equipment and participants will expand on this knowledge to create their project. To help with the creation of their projects, they may want to look at other ways that they can add to what they are doing, for instance, they can find Premium quality royalty free music with stem files on websites such as shockwave-sound.com, for example, so they can place music within their projects if they are creating videos and other digital designs.
Digital Media Lab
The Digital Media Lab will assist participants to convert cherished content from older recorded formats (VHS tapes, vinyl records, cassette tapes, photos, slides, negatives) to newer digital formats. The library encourages the creation of new information by editing and manipulating these formats into pleasing and appealing albums, collages, movies and more, to share with family and friends using the software provided on the library’s public computers.
Create It Lab
The Create It Lab will offer the opportunity for people to explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials and develop creative projects. The lab will be an extension of the library’s Maker Monday – a series that offers a new skill or craft each month.
Current tools include a craft oven, paper craft equipment (for scrapbooking, packaging and greeting cards, signage) and textile equipment (for sewing, quilting and other fiber crafts).
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library recently began putting together tools to help people with their business, school and relaxation projects. More tools, equipment and software will be added going forward – those interested are invited to stop in and see what is currently provided and offer suggestions on other tools that should be included in the MakerSpace.
For more information about what a participant needs to use a specific piece of equipment, please inquire at the library. To use the lab, participants must check in at the circulation desk.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center St., Whitewater. Visit online at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call (262) 473-0530.
