Libraries: the coolest places to spend time since the dawn of civilization.
A couple of months ago, this article about 3-D printing spare parts on demand piqued our curiosity about the local availability of 3-D printers. This curiosity led to a delightful and unexpected place: the library.
Turns out, in terms of what the library can offer to tinkerers, 3-D printers are only the beginning. Within the library systems of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, community members can access free makerspaces – open shops for crafting, creating, learning, and building pretty much anything you can dream up.
By not charging a fee and offering free materials, these libraries allow folks to have a low-stakes visit, hang out, make something new, make mistakes, and learn and grow as creators. These free and public resources are vital to keeping maker culture accessible to everyone.
Hillsboro Public Library: The Collaboratory
The ever-helpful whiteboard at the Collaboratory, loaded with info.
The Collaboratory at the Brookwood Branch of the Hillsboro Public Library is a sunny room on the second floor. Visitors interested in using the 3-D printers can explore Thingiverse, a website with several 3-D blueprints available for download – items that range from replacement IKEA parts to board game pieces. Those interested in getting a little more hands-on with the process can access a free Tinkercad account to design their own 3-D printable creation. There are multicolored spools of PLA plastic filament available for printing objects, as well as kits to sand down any rough edges and clip away support structures that may have been printed as part of the process.
Beyond the 3-D printers, the Collaboratory offers sewing machines, art supplies, computers for general use, and a calendar of events listing meetups and classes held in the space. For those interested in learning more, the Collaboratory’s Open Lab hours are a great time to stop in and see firsthand what’s available to visitors.
Rockwood Library: Rockwood Makerspace
Seems fair.
The Rockwood Branch of the Multnomah County Library system is located in East Portland. The Rockwood Makerspace packs a big punch in a small space. Staffed with friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, the makerspace boasts multiple 3-D printers of its own, as well as several sewing machines, a serger, laser cutter, soldering irons, button maker, DIY vinyl sticker printers, digital drawing pads, and all the requisite arts and crafts supplies one would expect. There are even toys and small chairs for a “kid’s corner.”
Rockwood Makerspace is very teen-friendly and has a lot of programming geared specifically for grades 6-12. However, there are open hours for all ages, as well as classes and events for both teens and adults.
West Linn Public Library: Teen Makerspace
The Makerspace at the West Linn library is geared more specifically to teens and tweens, focusing on grades 6 and up. The goal is to help young folks experience maker culture, through traditional hands-on crafts such as crocheting, handsewing, and papercrafts, as well as emerging digital technologies like film and sound editing. And, of course, the wonderful world of 3-D printing.
Good news for adults: while the library’s Makerspace is teen-centric, the 3-D printing resource is available for anyone to utilize.