Makerspaces & Libraries of Things - What and Where?

Welcome Back!

Libraries are evolving to change with the times and have a lot to offer besides books.  One thing that is shifting library culture is the maker movement, which encourages folks to tinker and create.

Makerspaces are popping up across Connecticut both inside and outside of libraries.  One great thing about this is that there are different options to suit people's needs.  Some libraries, like the Derby Neck Library, cater to kids, with arts and crafts supplies and Lego.  Others offer a variety of machines and technology from sewing machines to computer aided drafting software(CAD) programs to 3D printing or laser cutters.  Library sponsored makerspaces are often free of charge to use, though there may be a small fee for consumable supplies like fabric, wood, etc.  Often the library will have some supplies, but patrons are encourage to bring their own as well.  Makerspaces outside of libraries usually have a monthly fee and while users may be able to purchase materials on site, other materials are the sole responsibility of the user.

Another service being offered by many libraries is the library of things, where items can be checked out much like you would a book.  This is often spoken about in conjunction with makerspaces because some items in a library of things may be related to the maker movement.  For example, items that may be checked out could include adult coloring books with colored pencils, sewing machines, crochet hooks/ knitting needles, baking kits, Cricut machines, etc.  Alternatively, some objects may be unrelated to making, such as board games, luggage scales, or blood pressure monitors. 

While makerspaces and libraries of things are on the rise, your city or town may not have one. However, your local public library card can often be registered at other libraries in the state so you can use their services. So far, I've registered my card two others.  At the Wallingford Public Library, I just needed to show my local library card and state ID.  The New Haven Free Public Library required a short form and the same two forms of ID.  Also, be aware that the use of some tools and machines may require a certification by library staff.

I've compiled a list of Connecticut makerspaces and libraries of things below.  I've added a separate section for membership-based makerspaces, so folks can get an idea of the differences.  This is not an all-encompassing list, so I'll do my best to update it as I get further information.

Prior to visiting a library makerspace or requesting items from their library of things, it would be a good idea to review the library's webpage to see what they offer and decide if it will fit your needs.  Their webpage may also indicate what you may need to do use their space, as in the case of registering your local library card.  If not, give them a call ahead of time before making the trip.

Library Makerspaces

Danbury Public Library MakerLab - MakerLab – Danbury Library

Derby Neck Library Makerspace - Youth Services (derbynecklibrary.org)

East Hartford Public Library Creative Commons - Makerspace | easthartfordct

Monroe's Edith Wheeler Memorial Library - ewml.org/makerspace/

New Britain Public Library, The Hive Makerspace  - New Britain Public Library (nbpl.info)

New Haven Free Public Library Stetson Branch Innovation Studio - Stetson Branch | New Haven Free Public Library (nhfpl.org)

New Haven Free Public Library Ives Main Library Ives Squared Makerspace - Ives Squared | New Haven Free Public Library (nhfpl.org)

Simsbury Public Library -Innovators' Workshop - Simsbury Public Library (simsburylibrary.info)

Stratford Public Library - uCreate Space | Stratford Library Association

Wallingford Public Library Collaboratory - Collaboratory - Wallingford Public Library (wallingfordlibrary.org)\

Watertown Public Library Oakville Branch Makerspace- Makerspace - Watertown Public Library

Westport Public Library Makerspace - MakerSpace | The Westport Library

Windsor Public Library Wilson Branch Make it on the Mezzanine - Make It on the Mezzanine – Windsor Public Library (windsorlibrary.com)

Library of Things

Berlin Peck Memorial Library - Berlin-Peck Memorial Library (berlinpeck.org)

East Hampton Public Library - Library of Things - East Hampton Public Library

Essex Public Library - Library of Things - Essex Library Association (youressexlibrary.org)

Farmington Public Libraries - Library of Things | Farmington Libraries

Hartford Public Library - Library of Things | Hartford Public Library (hplct.org)

Newtown's C.H. Booth Library - The Library of Things - C. H. Booth Library (chboothlibrary.org)

North Branford Public Libraries - Library of Things – North Branford Libraries (nbranfordlibraries.org)

Wallingford Public Library - Library of Things - Wallingford Public Library (wallingfordlibrary.org)

Westport Library - Library of Things | The Westport Library

Makerspaces Outside of Libraries - Membership Fees Apply

Hartford - Home - MakerspaceCT in Hartford

Meriden - Makerspace Public Hours – NESIT

New Haven - MakeHaven

New London - Spark Makerspace | New London, CT

Norwalk - Fairfield Makers | Norwalk | Fairfield County Makers' Guild (fcmakers.com)

Watertown - CT Hackerspace | A Community Workshop in Connecticut

Who, What, and Why?

Hello and Welcome Everyone! 

    I thought I'd start off by telling you a bit about me and the purpose of this blog.  My name is Kelly and I'm a lifelong lover of books and libraries.  Now that my children are grown, I've decided to shift gears and change my career.  In September of 2023, I entered the graduate program for library and information science at Southern Connecticut State University.  

Photo of a headshot of the blog writer, Kelly,

a smiling woman with short green hair and brown eyes, wearing cat eye glasses.  

She is wearing a black and white striped thermal shirt.

Tattoos of collar bones and an open book can be seen on her upper chest.

    In addition to my passion for reading, I also love to create.  As far back as I can remember, my imagination has been guided by stories, crafts and art.  In fact, over the past year I've been working on a project that ties these interests together through ceramic art.  So, when it was time to choose courses for my first semester of the program, I was excited to see one titled "Libraries and the Maker Movement."  Taking this course is a way to further connect my favorite pastimes.

Photo of a series of ceramic objects including a book with the title "Faery Lore"

 surrounded by ceramic mushrooms, a small misshapen ceramic bottle with cork, 

a jar in the shape of a faery house with a pointed roof and a miniature stack of ceramic books.

    Full transparency, this blog is a class assignment.  Given the choice of a podcast, video series, or blog, I've opted for this format. I've chosen this so that I am able to share visuals as well as text.  I'm hoping to create a resource for folks looking for more information on the makerspaces available in Connecticut libraries and the tools they have available as well as tutorials somewhere down the line.  While the class assignment only requires a handful of posts, I'd like to keep this blog up as I familiarize myself with makerspace tools and continue my journey to becoming a librarian.  

    Connecticut Library Makerspaces - More Than Books is a door to connect with other Connecticut residents and share the wonder that libraries have to offer.  While books are what drew me to libraries, I understand that not everyone has had that experience.  We all have different interests and ideas and they don't all come out of a book.  Libraries are an amazing source of information and not everyone is aware of the wide array of offerings they can find in them. I'd like this blog to help connect people to the library resources that interest them.

    All of that being said, I've never created a blog before.  I'd like to say that all my content will be excellent going forward. However, I know that mistakes are part of the process of creation.  It may be messy.   For example, I can't seem to figure out where to change the background color of the text for title of this post from black to green.  I don't know the best way to caption photos for accessibility, so right now one caption in this post is double spaced and the other is not, because I haven't figured out how to fix it.  I also suspect that as I have new ideas, this blog may become more, or less, focused.  The format may change as time goes on.  I may forget a step in a process or leave out an important photo.  I accept the trial and error of creating and will send this post out into the world anyway.  Let this be the first lesson I share with you on the journey into makerspaces: It doesn't have to be perfect the first time around. Get messy, make mistakes, and have fun!