Library to host demo night May 29
Maker Spaces are spaces and materials dedicated to knowledge sharing and content creation and the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library in Whitewater is offering access to two labs within its Maker Space.
Create It Lab
The Create It Lab is a learning environment rich with possibilities – a place where people have an opportunity to explore their own interests, learn to use tools and materials, and develop creative projects. It is also a place for the library to provide participatory learning for the community.
Currently, the Create It Lab has a Cricut Expression 2 die cutting machine and cartridges, Polymer Clay and Craft Oven, Kenmore Sewing Machine, and rubber stamps sets and ink pads.
The library will continue to add more equipment, more tools, and more software and encourages members of the community to let library staff know what creative tools will come in handy.
Members of the community are encouraged to visit the library for hands-on, Create-It-Yourself workshops, tinkering, and projects in electronics, crafts, media, and more. The Maker Monday series is one great way to learn a new skill or craft each month and announcements about such events will be coming soon.
Digital Media Lab
The Digital Media Lab, also located in the library’s Maker Space, allows patrons to convert cherished content from older formats to digital formats and also encourages the creation of new information by editing and manipulating these formats into pleasing and appealing albums, collages, movies, etc. to share with family and friends. If they want to share it on their media platforms, it may be a good idea for them to incorporate royalty-free music, so they are not breaching any laws and can display their digital creations.
Equipped to convert information formats of the past into usable digital formats of the present, visitors interested in using the Digital Media Lab will need to bring the information – VHS tapes, slides, film, photos, documents, negatives, cassette tapes or vinyl albums – and appropriate digital storage – flash drives, DVD+R, etc. – to carry the digitally converted information home.
The library has purchased several electronic pieces of equipment to help patrons preserve and enhance their cherished content. A Toshiba DVR is connected to an Element TV. This equipment allows the patron to view their VHS tapes and dub them to DVDs. Minimum editing options available include creating and titling segments for quick access though their DVD players. More detailed editing is available using Microsoft Live Movie Maker software.
The Numark Turntable is connected to a computer. This pairing allows the copying of 45 RPM and 33 RPM vinyl records to MP3 or other digital formats. Similarly cassette tapes may also be converted to MP3 format using a GE cassette recorder and a computer. Further editing and effects may be created using Audacity software.
Slides, negatives, photos and family documents may be digitalized to a variety of formats with SVP slide converter or by using the HP Scanjet and a computer. Editing and enhancements may be accomplished using Microsoft Picture Maker software or Gimp software.
Library staff will help users learn the basics and guide them to finished projects.
Creative possibilities are endless using the new digital content and the software available at the library: content can be added to Facebook pages or personal blogs; favorites can be emailed to friends and family; digital scrapbooks can be created; slides, documents, and video clips can be mixed into a slideshow or movie with music, and; the final product can be converted to a DVD.
The Create It Lab and Digital Media Lab are open 2:30-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A Demonstration Night is slated 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 29. More information about the demonstrations will appear in the May 22 issue of the Whitewater Register.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center St., Whitewater. For more information stop in, go online at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call (262) 473-0530.
