Colorado Library Gears Up for Makerspace Grand Opening

Anythink Brighton (Colo.) technology guide Aaron Bock (left) and Anythink systems administrator Phil Gilchrist tested out the library’s new MakerBot 3D printer on October 24 to prepare for the December 5 grand opening of the teen makerspace. Community members of all ages are invited for a tour from 3:30 to 6 p.m. that day to experiment with the new tools, participate in hands-on crafts, and enjoy refreshments.

Makerspaces are creative community workspaces where patrons have the option to build and experiment with art, craft, and technology projects while sharing tools and ideas with other community members. The makerspace at Anythink Brighton will be geared toward teens, offering a space where they can get free access to state-of-the-art tools and materials for crafts, robotics, textile design, digital photography, and 3D printing. Also included is a “computer guts” area where teens can take apart a computer to learn how its various parts work together.

Anythink Brighton staff members will be able to mentor teens in an environment that supports entrepreneurship, resourcefulness, and creativity. They will also use the space to enhance and expand the library’s existing programs for all ages. “These days it’s hard to get hands-on access to anything for free,” says Anythink Brighton manager Dara Schmidt. “There’s no place where you can just walk in and use a sewing machine or print a 3D action figure. There’s no place you can go for free and say, ‘Let’s try and take this computer apart and see what happens.’”