Makerspace Studio
Let’s get creative!
The Westfield Athenaeum is proud to announce the opening of its public Makerspace!
What’s a Makerspace? A laboratory, workshop and experimentation playground for the public to learn emerging technologies. Our Makerspace has three main goals:
- To provide the public with access to creative and educational crafting opportunities and emerging technologies.
- To provide outside groups with new avenues of educational and fun programming.
- To foster innovation and creativity in all ages of Westfield’s citizens.
Whether you’re a hobbyist designing projects for yourself, an entrepreneur looking to learn new skills, or a student fascinated by new technology, the Makerspace is for you. We hope to add new equipment to the Makerspace collection often, with plenty of awesome opportunities and tools already coming down the pipeline. We’ll be announcing new additions as they become available.
Due to space constraints in our historic building, the Makerspace tools will primarily be available during scheduled events, such as our Creation Station, a series of open crafting hours for you to drop by and use our equipment. Check our calendar to see upcoming Makerspace events, and check below to learn more about what equipment is currently available.
Contact Us
We’re always on the lookout for new devices to add to our Makerspace! Think there’s something we should have, but don’t? Questions about using the equipment or specific materials? Have a hobby device, crafting materials, tools or financial support that you would like to donate to the Athenaeum’s Makerspace? Please contact our Technology Services Librarian at (413) 568-7833 x117, or send us an email at makerspace@westath.org.
Our Sponsors
The Makerspace is available thanks in part to generous support from the Westfield Academy Grant and the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum. Many, many thanks to our sponsors!
Donations
If you have a hobby tool, crafting materials such as specialty paper, art supplies, PLA spools, tools or other machines or financial support that you would like to donate to the Athenaeum’s Makerspace, please let us know!
Makerspace Policies
- For their safety, patrons must listen to staff instructions when using Makerspace equipment. Some pieces of Makerspace equipment involve blades, heat, or other potential hazards. Patrons 18 or older may use the equipment after a brief training session. Patrons below the age of 18 may use the equipment with parental guidance.
- The Athenaeum’s Makerspace equipment is intended for the public to safely create, invent, express and play. Patrons are permitted to use the Makerspace equipment in a safe and productive manner, and are not permitted to use the equipment in a way that breaks any of our other policies, which can be read here.
- Use of Makerspace equipment is free. Unless otherwise stated, Makerspace materials are generously provided by our donors. Materials for certain pieces of equipment may be purchased for use in crafts. Please read event descriptions carefully, as depending on the event, patrons may be charged for materials used – though we’ll only ever charge at cost.
- Patrons may always bring in their own materials for use with Makerspace equipment! Please reach out to us ahead of time if you have any questions about specific materials.
- Makerspace equipment may not create items that are inappropriate for public use such as those of an overtly sexual nature; items that express hateful ideology towards any group, person, or idea; weapons, weapon parts, replica weapons, or anything that could be used to harm; or items that may facilitate the use of a crime. Makerspace equipment may not be used in a way that facilitates the breaking of copyright law, for creation of items for sale, or for mass manufacturing.
- The Athenaeum reserves the right to refuse any patron any Makerspace service, at any time, for any reason.
Take a look at our currently available equipment – and know that more is on its way!
3D Printer - Prusa MK4 - ***Commissions Only***
3D printing is an amazing, fun craft with a long history in engineering and prototyping. As machines and programming has gotten more advanced, home printers have gotten increasingly capable of printing out intricate designs. Since it’s probably the device that takes the longest to use, send us your files (.STL, .3MF, .OBJ preferred) and we’ll happily help you make your item.
Looking for inspiration? Check out Thingiverse, Printables, and the entire internet for ideas. Interested in designing your own objects? Check out this recommended YouTube tutorial for Blender.
Cost: 3D printed objects may be printed at a cost of $0.02 per gram of plastic filament used. This helps us keep a steady supply of filament for you and other patrons.
Cricut Maker 3
The Cricut Maker 3 is a crafting device with a computer-controlled blade, allowing for intricate details to be cut out. The Cricut uses Cricut Design Space, and may take some time to create your projects. We recommend that patrons familiarize themselves with Cricut Design Space, have their craft ready to go, research and purchase materials for their projects ahead of time! Check out this playlist of tutorial videos to get started.
Cost: Use of the Cricut is free; Patrons are encouraged to work with materials that they bring in from home. The Athenaeum may have a supply of materials for patrons, but cannot guarantee that materials will be available for every interested patron.
Currently Available Materials:
- Colored crafting paper (12”x12”)
- Adhesive-backed vinyl (12”x12”)
The Cricut Maker 3 can currently work with:
- Fabric: perfect for quilting, clothing and costumes creation
- Paper / cardstock: shadow boxes, papercrafts, detailed cutting
- Vinyl: often used for stickers of complex shapes or for prepping designs for heat transfers
Digitization Services
As technology progresses, older formats of photos and documents become more obsolete, and more difficult to interact with. With our digitization devices, patrons are able to convert many types of old media to newer formats. Whether you’re finding older materials from a loved one’s estate or converting memories of your own, these services will help you duplicate and keep your photos and documents up with the times! Patrons are encouraged to bring a flash drive, USB storage device or laptop to transfer and keep the new media.
- Slides, 35mm film
- Photos and polaroids
- Floppy disks
- DVD / CD
- VHS Tapes
- Home movies using S-Video output cable
- Media using RCA output cable
- Free 8.5×11” photo and document scanning, with output to USB or email, are available at any time in the Reference Room. Ask a reference librarian for assistance or use the self-service kiosk.
Laminator
Working on a presentation, handouts or signs? This device is handy for sealing your paper for protection from the elements or prepping displays.
Button Press
Everyone loves a button! Print out or design your pattern, then cut it out and make a pin-backed button out of it! Fun for the whole family. Buttons are available in three sizes: 1”, 1.25”, and 2.25”.
Thermal Sticker Printer
As seen on Instagram. Select a photo or image and immediately print a sticker with that design!
Bedazzler Pen Kit
Rhinestones are the best alternative to glitter in the world. Use our bedazzler pen to sparkle up your crafts.
Cost: Use of the Bedazzler Pen Kit is free.
Jewelry Tool Set
Looking to learn more about the intricate world of jewelry making? Twist and turn bracelets and beads together into gifts, crafts, or homemade jewelry.
Knitting Machine
Whether you’re having trouble knitting because of your hands, or you’re simply in a hurry, this device will help you knit a long tube section very quickly. This is perfect for starting larger projects like a sweater, hat, scarf or socks. BYOY – Bring your own yarn!
Yarn Spooler
This tool is excellent for organizing your yarn when knitting or crochet.
