Making IT At The Washington Library

We are just a bit past the one year anniversary of MakeIT Place at the Washington Public Library. It is truly hard to believe this much time has gone by so quickly. Refining procedures has been the focus for all of us here at the library in the past couple of months so we can make this incredible space accessible to Washington County. We have had many questions about what is available and how to access it. I thought now may be a good time to give a summary of how you, too, can utilize the creativity the Make IT Place has to offer.

Some of our spaces and equipment have required classes to take and some only require making an appointment to learn how to use a specific space in order to be “certified.” Being certified is what allows independent access.

The MakeIT Place is for certified adults aged 18 and up. Tween and Teen programs are offered as staff run events. You will notice an increase coming for Tween and Teen programs since we as a staff have become more comfortable in learning our specific spaces and equipment.

Requirements for ALL MakeIT Place access includes:

· Adult age

· A library card in good standing

· Signing a user agreement which outlines procedures, policies and liability

found here: https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/services/makeit-place

· Going through the required certification for EACH of the specific equipment/spaces

Note: the use of the equipment and spaces are FREE.

Cost is for materials only except for the Pottery Studio which includes the cost of the instructor.

The following requires a specific class or classes to obtain certification:

· Glowforge Laser Cutter/Engraver

1 FREE Glowforge Laser class offered twice monthly OR by appointment if needed (generally one hour)

· Recording Studio

1 FREE Audio 101 class offered twice monthly OR by appointment if needed

(generally two hours)

· Pottery Studio (cost varies)

Pottery Wheel — 3 wheel classes (now just $25 for each class!)

Handbuilding — 1 handbuilding class (now just $10 for each class!)

Along with the pottery class, you take 1 additional Glazing class (free)

*After certification, cost of using the studio is only $2.50 per pound of clay

Register for classes at: www.washington.lib.ia.us/events

Class fees are payable in-person at the Washington Library.

The following only requires making an appointment to learn how to use the specific equipment:

· Cricut

Beginners — classes are available, too!

· Button Maker

· Sewing/Quilting

Beginners — classes are available, too!

· Poster Printer

· Laminator

· Memory Lab

Digitizing: photos, negatives, slides, VHS, 8 mm reel-to-reel, audiocassette, book scanning, CDs

*Each section of the memory lab requires its own appointment. Call 319-653-2726 to make an appointment!

· 3D printing

printers are staff run only! (sorry)

Patrons send a file request online to be printed or bring the file in on a thumb drive.

Cost depends on the file/material size.

You can observe your print being printed by appointment but it’s not as exciting as you may think.

Details, guidelines and videos for all this can be found at: https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/services/makeit-place

Quick Tours are available every week!

Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., Thursdays at Noon or by appointment

You can do this!

Ready.

Set.

MakeIT.