Washington library to add Makerspace in basement

WASHINGTON — Washington Public Library representatives told the Washington City Council last week they planned to add a creative space in the building’s lower level.

The renovation’s design phase comes with a $69,500 price tag, which the institution plans to cover with money from the library gift fund, according to a memo shared with council members. That fund is distinct from the Public Library Foundation, which Library Director Cary Ann Siegfried said would likely be tapped for the construction costs down the line.

Siegfried said the project was highly requested by community members. In a survey last fall, around 80% of respondents said adding a Makerspace was in their top three wishes for the library.

"The question was directed, ‘If we could change the library in some way, and add some sort of future services or enhancement … what would be your top choices?’“ she said. ”It listed about a dozen things that could be offered, and a Makerspace was the top answer.“

Specifics for the creative area are not yet spelled out, but Siegfried said it could facilitate any number of crafts, from 3D printers to sewing machines to laser cutters to saws to welding equipment.

“It really can be whatever the community wants it to be,” she said. “That’s part of the beauty of having a Makerspace, is being able to get out to the community and talk to people about what they want.”

The process of figuring out what that specific equipment will be comes later. Siegfried said the library would seek more community input on what specific items to include.

“We’ve had a couple different meetings with some people who have expressed interest,” she said. “We’ll probably put together kind of a Makerspace steering committee, or interest group in the next couple months to start talking about this a little bit further.”

In the meantime, the library’s designers will keep the room’s options open.

“We want a pretty large, flexible space, so we’re able to incorporate as many ideas — technology, equipment, that kind of thing — as people want,” Siegfried said. “The first step in the process is to get the space finished out and ready.”

The room would take up around 3,000 square feet of the library basement’s east wing, an unfinished room — currently used for supply storage and divided by a sheet of drywall — behind an emergency exit door. The renovations are not expected to impact the nearby genealogy room.

The library tentatively hopes to open its planned Makerspace to the public in 12-18 months, according to Siegfried, who said she was already excited about it.

“(Libraries) aren’t just a place where the user comes in and consumes content,” she said. “Libraries are becoming those types of places where users are creating content, as well. And I think that makes the library a really active place and a really exciting place to be.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com