CPL Maker Lab: Learn how to make things for free. The Maker Lab, at the Harold Washington Library Center, offers FREE workshops, open lab hours and drop-in demonstrations.
Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, 3rd Floor,
When: Lab Hours Check here.
Have you ever thought about exercising other parts of your brain learning how to make things? You can do that at the Chicago Public Library Makers Lab.
The Maker Lab, Chicago’s first free and publicly accessible maker space, features introductory workshops and open shop for personal projects and collaboration. What is the Maker Movement? There’s a dozen different definitions. And while simplistic this might sum it up:
The Maker Movement in a nutshell
The Maker Movement involves everything from DIY anything to creating innovative technologies. Many Maker businesses are financed using crowdfunding.
An example of a maker marketplace used to be Etsy before they went commercial. Anyway here’s what the CPL Maker Lab offers:
- An ongoing series of FREE workshops where they teach the basics of how to use the lab equipment. Supplies are provided unless otherwise stated.
- Some workshops are Make a Key Chain with the laser cutter and Make a 3D scan and Sculpt Yourself. Workshops fill up quickly however walk-ins are welcome if seats are available. Check out the offerings here. Search under events.
I made this magnet with a 3D printer.
- They offer non-technology workshops such as Jewelry Making and Origami Kusudama Flower Workshop.
- They offer Open Shop where you can come in and use the equipment on your own. No registration is required for open shop. There is a charge to use some of the equipment during open shop.
- Participants must be 14 or older.
Equipment
- Digital design software
- 3D printers
- Laser cutters
- Milling machines
- Vinyl cutter
