Deerfield Public Library MakerSpace showcase

Making
We would like to showcase the relatively new makerspace that has been built in Deerfield Public Library. We were only open for a few months before the shutdowns began, so not too many people got a chance to see our space and use the equipment. We would like to do a full tour and show off each piece of tech we have, as well as answer any questions people may have for us.

Schedule

Sat 17 Sat 17 April 2021
Track 1
12:30 pm
Full Schedule
Deerfield Public Library MakerSpace showcase project image
Categories: Making, 3D Printing and Imaging, Crafting

More Event Info

See All Making See All Makers

More Project Info

https://deerfieldlibrary.org/makerspace/

What inspired you to make this project?
The Deerfield Library's brand new MakerSpace had only a short few months after opening before the pandemic hit us all, leaving us unable to accommodate the creative minds coming by to use our equipment. Like many makerspaces though, we found productive ways to continue offering our services and make use of our equipment through virtual means. We have had a steady amount of projects make their way through the MakerSpace as 2020 progressed, and have kept the creative spirit pumping as much as we're able.

As we see potential changes in the future, and as libraries begin to re-open their doors in limited capacities, we would like to give anyone interested a refresher tour and Q&A with our Space. We'll show off cool projects we've made since going virtual, showcase the variety of equipment we have to use, and answer any burning questions that makers of the North Shore may have for us.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered and how did you address them?
Like many libraries, we have found it quite the challenge to still offer our services as they were before the pandemic hit us. We have and still do strive for being a space of learning, making, and reaching one's creative potential; that being said, learning can be much more challenging for both the one learning and the one teaching, as we're all too keenly aware of.

With the constantly evolving state of Covid-19, it was hard to keep with with quarantining guidelines, ways to ensure patrons could bring us materials in a safe capacity, and overall making use of the equipment we have here in the makerspace.

We particularly faced challenges in trying to come up with engaging content for the public, but found some success through virtual software tutorials, virtual classes in which patrons would create digital content that we would then fabricate for them, as well as just keep the public informed of what kind of thing are happening here in the Space while we remain closed.