Makerspace open house this weekend

WASHINGTON — Washington Public Library staff will hold an event Saturday, May 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where patrons can view the future Makerspace area, its tentative blueprints, and vote on its name.

Library Director Cary Ann Siegfried said the space was on schedule to start construction this fall, but that some details were still being ironed out. The library continues to seek feedback as it narrows down the plans.

“We’re … getting people’s priorities on, ‘What would you like to see first?’” she said. “We can’t do everything at once, so if people are much more interested in 3D printing than they are in a laser cutter or a memory lab, it is an opportunity to get some input on what everybody’s priorities are and what they’re most excited about.”

Siegfried said the event would be informal, allowing people to come and go at their convenience without waiting on presentations or a tour of the library basement space.

“So many people comment to me that, ‘I’ve never been in the basement before, I don’t know what you have going on down there,’” she said. “Before we actually start changing things around, I thought it would be a great opportunity for people to see the ‘before,’ so they can appreciate the ‘after.’”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com