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The Orangeville Public Library can help you get creative with its Makerspace

August 20, 2026   ·   0 Comments

Libraries have always been places where ideas begin. At the Orangeville Public Library’s Makerspace, those ideas can also become something you can hold, wear, gift, or preserve.

Located on the upper level of the Alder Street Branch, the Makerspace opened in February 2026 and has continued to grow in both equipment and capacity. Its purpose is to give community members access to new technologies, practical tools, and hands-on learning opportunities that can help them build digital literacy and creative confidence.

The space has been especially lively this summer, welcoming day camps, teen events and curious visitors during open lab hours. Some arrive with a project in mind; others come simply to see what is possible.

Our two 3D printers, a Prusa and a Bambu, are among the busiest tools in the room, producing creations designed or selected by library users. A 3D printer builds an object layer by layer from a digital file. It can make models, prototypes, craft pieces, replacement parts, and all kinds of imaginative objects. Watching a design slowly take physical form is fascinating, whether you are eight or 80.

Interested in creating something personalized? The Cricut Maker 3 can cut designs from materials such as vinyl and paper, making it ideal for custom stickers, iron-on decals, greeting cards, and party decorations. Pair it with our T-shirt or mug press, and you can create a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gift. Our laser cutter and engraver can add artwork, photographs, or text to materials such as wood, or cut precise shapes from a digital design.

For those who prefer fabric and thread, the Makerspace offers a computerized sewing machine, a serger, and an embroidery machine. These can be used for clothing, home décor, decorative stitching, monograms, and other textile projects.

The Makerspace is also a place to preserve the past. Equipment is available to digitize printed photographs, negatives and slides, VHS tapes and even audio cassettes. Those boxes of family memories sitting in a closet can be converted into digital files that are easier to protect and share. Other tools include a 360-degree camera, a button maker, and coding robots that make technology approachable and fun for younger learners.

Of course, a Makerspace is about more than machines. It is a place to experiment, solve problems, and learn by doing. You do not need to arrive as an expert. Library programs and open lab hours provide opportunities to become familiar with the equipment, ask questions, and learn alongside others.

Machine use is free; members pay only for library-supplied materials they consume, such as 3D-printing filament or wood for engraving. In some cases, users may bring their own materials with staff approval; it’s a good idea to ask ahead.

Library membership is available at no charge to Orangeville residents and to residents of Mono, East Garafraxa and Amaranth through municipal agreements. Those who operate a business or own property in Orangeville are also eligible for a library card. People living outside these areas can still explore the Makerspace using a $5 household day pass.

Before visiting, check the Orangeville Public Library website for current open lab hours, upcoming programs, equipment information, guidelines, and code of conduct. Makers under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

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