Your creativity takes shape in the Newmarket Public Library Maker Hub

Yorkregion.com
August 7, 2018
Lorne Chase

What is a maker hub?

Quite simply it’s a dedicated space at the library where people unleash their creativity, a room filled with technology that offers everyone an opportunity to learn a new skill. You can work on your own, with others, or library staff to take your ideas and shape them into 3D objects, decals, video projects and more.

‘Makers’ come to this hub to bring ideas to life. Local high school students have used the vinyl cutter and software to create decals of famous people for a class project, a man used the 3D printer to build his own chess set, and a woman is currently using the digital media station to create illustrations for a children’s book she is writing.

“It amazes me how many different projects people work on,” says Mary O’Connor, the library’s digital services librarian. “And you don’t have to be tech savvy or know a lot about the technology. We have certification courses, and library staff are available to help with projects and answer questions.”

You too can become a do-it-yourself maker. Some examples of what you can do in the maker hub:

Create 3D objects for personal or business use

Two Ultimaker 3D printers can be used to create something unique. A local scout troop, for example, created customized keychains. Another individual created dog-tags for their pet. And you can go to a website like Thingiverse, where files of everything from flower vases to bottle openers can be downloaded free.

Design your own decals, logos or vinyl signs

Business owners can use the vinyl cutter and software to create logos, or hours of operation signs (an example is in the window of the library’s front foyer). Other ideas are of a more personal nature, like creating vinyl names to go on coffee mugs, wall decals for a child’s playroom, or numbers for house address plaques. 

Make your own YouTube videos or computer animation

You can use the digital media station, with its Apple iMac computer, headphones, microphone, and software, for computer animation, graphic design, video editing, and more. Create a promotional video for your business, a video you can post to YouTube, and much more. 

The maker hub also has a button maker that you can use to create your own 1.5-inch pin-back buttons that are ideal for logos, images of your pet, slogans, and more. Someone recently used it to make buttons to promote their son’s band.

You can also borrow maker hub equipment to use at home. Imagine making your own video productions with the Canon HD camcorder, lightweight tripod, camera stabilizer (for hand-held shots), and portable green screen (for special effects). 

The library’s maker hub provides everyone with the opportunity to make, discover and create. Learn more about how you can give your creativity free rein and see your ideas take shape in the maker hub.

Lorne Chase is the marketing and communications co-ordinator at Newmarket Public Library. Visit the library’s website at www.newmarketpl.ca.